MODELL CLINTON’S EXPLOSIVE INTERVIEW
Adewale Ridwan Clinton (born April 10, 1994), known professionally as Modell Clinton, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, producer, model, and dancer. He was born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo, where he started his music career. He teamed with his childhood friend “Shittu” to form a music group Tom and Jerry in 2007 and they were compared to the legendary Nigeria popular duo “Psquare”. They recorded their first song WINE AM in the year 2008, Their hit singles SOME MORE and IRREPLACEABLE were the songs that put them into the limelight. Popular DJ Gavpop took Tom And Jerry under his wings for some years as their manager and made sure their songs gets airplay. Tom and Jerry has been to many competitions like PEAK TALENT SHOW, MTN PROJECT FAME, NIGERIAN IDOL, etc, And they have performed in big stages alongside many artistes including Olamide, Reminisce, Seyi Shay, Vector, Skales, Burna Boy to name a few. After many years together Tom And Jerry went their separate ways to continue their music career as solo artiste in the year 2015. Tom now Modell Clinton brings a unique style of smooth RnB with a blend of Afrobeat With full of melody. Influenced by the likes of MJ, Don Williams Usher, Akon, Psquare, 2face, Chris brown, 9ice and Tiwa Savage.
Modell did his primary and secondary school in Ibadan, Yombo kiddies College and Methodist High School, respectively. He was studying music at OAU before dropping out to focus on his music career.
In this interview with City People’s Titilope Oshunlalu, he talked about what inspires his songs, his challenges as an artist and how Oduataj Productions has made him achieve his dreams. Below are the excerpts.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Adewale Ridwan Clinton, being popularly known as Modell Clinton a.k.a Mr Melody
What inspires you to do music?
I would say my parents, they like music a lot, especially my dad. during my childhood days, I remembered he plays all kinds of songs in the House, including foreign and local music. I got used to this and I found myself having this huge interest in singing as well.
Can you list how many album you have produced?
No album is officially out yet, but soon my 7 tracks ep album “COME A LONG WAY” would be dropped. Watch out.
So I guess you mean how many songs I have produced? I think…
I can’t really make a list of how many songs I have recorded. But when it comes to the songs I have released officially, I think I got like 6.
1 Stay With Me
2 Bridget
3 Stay with Me remix ft @official_pblove
4 Better Tomorrow
5 One Day
My last single was I’m Here which I dropped last year
Which album is your best and what makes it your best?
This is where the problem is lol… I always feel all of my songs are my best. And the reason why is that I always put in my best in all I do, so every song I put outside there are all my best
What is the feedback from your fans?
Based on the numerous feedback I’ve been getting from my fans especially my Nigerian fans, some of them like it when I do indigenous music and some like me to do more of a foreign type of song. So, basically, I have come to realize I got two different parties of fans. And I’ve decided to keep the both of them. lol. one love.
As an artist, you will have some people who are always there for you whenever you call, can you mention them?
First of all my family. My mum and my sisters have been everything to me, then my family friends the Akintola’s, and also some of the guys too Smarty, Emdot TQ, Kenny and so on. I am so grateful to all of them and I can’t thank them enough.
What is your style of music?
Afrobeat and RnB
Why did you choose Afrobeat and Rnb?
Actually, my style of music comes from the people I grow up listening to. MJ, Don Williams, Fela, Sunny Ade, Wasiu Ayinde, Usher, Pasuma, Akon, P-Square, 2baba, 9ice and Wande coal, and so on. So am sure now you see where I got the RnB from and where the Afrobeat came from. I’m sorry I have that long list of people, I told you my dad plays all kinds of songs.
Who is your role model?
My role models are P-Square and 9ice.
Where do you see yourself in the nearest future?
I see myself on top of the world.
Any challenges in the music industry?
A lot of challenges and the major ones are finance and connection. If you have the money and you don’t have the real connection, you are going nowhere. connection without money too won’t help you either. So when you have those two, the rest is simple.
How long have you been into music?
Apparently, It has been a very long time. Like my mum used to say “Is not how long but how well. Thank You
Can we talk about your producer (Oduataj Entertainment)?
Ha, My godfather, baba came into my life just in time. My boss is a man of his word, he’s kind, generous, and selfless. A very disciplined, man full of dedication. That man wey you see so no dey settle for less oh
What are your plans for the year 2022?
Plenty of things. My ep album is about to hit the world, we are shooting like 3 videos from the project and so many goodies. Let me just keep it under wrap for now
