For some time, it was rumoured that sultry singer, Aituaje Iruobe, aka Waje, was having an affair with rapper, Jude Abaga, aka MI.
Even as nosy parkers gleefully wove fantastic tales around both artistes, the success of MI’s award-winning song, One Naira, which was a collaborative effort with the young woman, seemed to confirm the rumour.
But they have both repeatedly denied going out on a date together. Waje once told those who cared to listen that their relationship was strictly business.
“They are just rumours. MI is a very good friend of mine and a brother. We have been able to make beautiful music together and that is a blessing I am grateful for. When we released One Naira, many fans thought a deep chemistry existed between us and that it actually manifested in the quality of the song.
“The same fans felt the chemistry was so profound that we must be involved in a relationship. As great as this sounds, the rumour is not true, I am not dating MI,” she says.
And when it comes to parenting, there are no breaks or vacations. It is tougher if the job meant for two is handled by one person.
It is amazing how Waje, who is a single mother, combines her usually tight schedule with raising a child all alone. Still, she manages to cope with the pressure without much difficulty.
However, the singer admits that it is tough, even when she had braced herself for the challenges that come with the turf.
“Parenting is not an easy task for anyone. It is a full time job. Both parents have to bear the task of raising the child to become a responsible person in the society. This is something I understand. When you decide to become a parent, you have to embrace it fully. It is not always easy, but it is worth the trouble a million times over.
“Sometimes one really feels the joy of motherhood. When your child smiles at you and you watch her taking her first steps or uttering her first words, you feel really proud. Hearing her say, ‘I love you’ for the first time, the hugs, the moments we spend together are also part of the excitement.
“When you watch her grow from infancy to adolescence, your joy is boundless. These are priceless gifts that I wouldn’t exchange for anything,” she says.
Waje is not just a singer, she is a businesswoman to boot. She is on the verge of starting a clothes line and her preference is women’s underwear. It is the only way she could prove that the African woman is beautiful, no matter her physical size.
“The lingerie market is focused on a particular female species globally. Full-bodied women often suffer from limited choices and that is where I intend to come in. My dream is to fit the African woman and let her know she is beautiful, no matter her physical size,” she says.
Waje feels like an Amazon in an entertainment industry that is dominated by men. She loves the implied challenge and the fact she is happy that Nigerian women have begun to take charge, just like their counterparts in the United States and Britain.
She says, “I love challenges. This is a man’s world and I have lots of respect for women who manage to find a place in such a world. I am lucky to be one of them. Besides, you will notice that women are beginning to make their mark in music in Nigeria.
“Of course, women are still making their mark in the USA and other parts of the world. I respect the likes of Sade Adu, Beyonce, Adele and many others for their individual drive. Sade’s timeless elegance and work is an inspiration to both men and women artistes in her part of the world.
“Women are becoming vibrant now. A few years ago, finding a female on the bill of major concerts was incredibly hard. Today, it is different. I can tell you that you would find at least three females on every bill. This year, for instance, has been such a blessed one for me and other female artistes.”
Anytime from now, the singer might veer into film acting. The objective is to expand her interests. And she is urging her fans not to be surprised if they see her appearing in a movie soon. “You’d be surprised. I have been given some roles in a few up-coming movies. Watch out for them,” she says, adding that since music is an integral part of entertainment, nobody should be surprised when an actor or actress decides to record an album.
“In old Hollywood, you couldn’t become a successful actor if you lacked the ability to sing. Singing and acting are connected. Entertainment is connected. Look at Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, for instance. Hudson won an Oscar for her first feature movie. So, it is possible to be an actor and a musician,” she notes.
Waje admits that 2012 has been a very busy year for her. So far, she has been able to record two tracks that are well received by music fans in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
At present, she is working on a new album and it will be due for release soon. But she does not rule out the possibility of a collaborative effort with a well known foreign artiste on her forthcoming album.
“It is a massive project. People should get ready to listen to some of the best sounds they have ever heard. Yes, the album in progress is that good. It involves massive collaborations with artistes in the country and internationally. It is going to be a unique mix of sounds, emotions and genres that you can still identify as Waje’s sound,” she says.
Planning ahead, she said her prayer is to win a Grammy award and also do a duet with American singer, Beyonce.
“I would love to share the same stage with Beyonce doing a duet! A Grammy is also in the plans. What this means is that I’m working towards getting my music to a global audience. By God’s grace, we already on that path with my album,” Waje says.
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