GLOBALLY RATED CULTURAL AFFICIONADO, FLORENCE BENJAMIN AKA “FLOXY BEE”SPEAKS PASSIONATELY ON HER TRADITIONS AND HOW MUSIC CAN BE USED TO RE-BRAND NIGERIA
She plays Hikosso, which literally translates a potpourri of African genres of music. When on stage, she sings in Yoruba dialect, one of Nigeria’s major ethnic languages with resonatic rhythm of percussion, ‘bata’, konga, drums , ‘gan-gan’ and other African music instruments supplying true Nigerian melody to her stage choreography. Floxy Bee is respected and loved greatly around the world.
In this Exclusive Interview, this Modakeke born music diva from Ife, Osun States takes CERUTTI MEDIA CEO, CHIEF MIKE CERUTTI OSAGIE through why she is still being celebrated worldwide as Nigeria’s Cultural Music Ambassador, how she has been representing African culture in most global circles, true meaning of Yeye Asa of The Source, her Citations, Several World Music Awards; how she was bestowed Honorary Doctorate Degree from All Saints University in Boston, her Nostalgic music show in Harlem’s Legendary Apollo Theater, America, her Clothing Line and
other issues.
Q: How
will you describe your Hikosso brand of music?
A: To describe my music in one word, Hikosso means variety: a potpourri of African genres of Music, consisting of Highlife, Makossa, Soukous, Jazz, Afrobeat, to mention a few. All of the above are called Hikosso!
A: To describe my music in one word, Hikosso means variety: a potpourri of African genres of Music, consisting of Highlife, Makossa, Soukous, Jazz, Afrobeat, to mention a few. All of the above are called Hikosso!
Q: How come
you render your songs in Yoruba dialect being one of Nigeria’s major ethnic
languages?
A: l render my songs flawlessly in Yoruba because l am a Yoruba Woman.
A: l render my songs flawlessly in Yoruba because l am a Yoruba Woman.
Q: How do you
derive inner satisfaction playing your brand of music?
A: I love what l do and l have fun doing it. It gives me a great pleasure that l can share my music with the world.
A: I love what l do and l have fun doing it. It gives me a great pleasure that l can share my music with the world.
Q: Can you
take us through some evergreen music shows you will never forget?
A: I have had many memorable big shows. The biggest thrill l had was when l performed at Harlem’s Legendary Apollo theater where virtually every major black artists had been before, that made me feel that Hikosso Music had arrived in America.
A: I have had many memorable big shows. The biggest thrill l had was when l performed at Harlem’s Legendary Apollo theater where virtually every major black artists had been before, that made me feel that Hikosso Music had arrived in America.
Q: Why do you always
dress in Nigeria’s native outfits?
A: I dress in my native attire because I am comfortable in it and l have been a Cultural ambassador of Nigeria.
A: I dress in my native attire because I am comfortable in it and l have been a Cultural ambassador of Nigeria.
Q: What led to your
stage name ‘Floxy Bee’?
A: My Baptismal name is Florence Benjamin hence Floxybee. In retrospect, as I have become a representative of African Culture l might have been better served if l had used my African name Oluwatoyin, however there’s only one Floxybee, since Floxybee is a global brand.
A: My Baptismal name is Florence Benjamin hence Floxybee. In retrospect, as I have become a representative of African Culture l might have been better served if l had used my African name Oluwatoyin, however there’s only one Floxybee, since Floxybee is a global brand.
Q: Can you take us
through your been bestowed Yeye Asa of The Source (Mother of The Source)?
A: The Adagba 1 Oba Bolu Fatunmise is from Ile-Ife Iyanfoworogi, a great artist himself, deemed it fit to bestow upon me the title “Yeye Asa” meaning Mother of the Source due to my contributions to the spread of African Music and Culture in the Diaspora. It was in recognition that l was not polluted by other (alien) cultures but standing true to my roots.
A: The Adagba 1 Oba Bolu Fatunmise is from Ile-Ife Iyanfoworogi, a great artist himself, deemed it fit to bestow upon me the title “Yeye Asa” meaning Mother of the Source due to my contributions to the spread of African Music and Culture in the Diaspora. It was in recognition that l was not polluted by other (alien) cultures but standing true to my roots.
Q:Tell us
about your Honorary Doctorate award and how Music can be used to Re-brand
Nigeria
A: I have an honorary Doctorate degree from All Saints University, citations from the city of Boston and Newark, Several World Music Awards and l am the holder of Yeye Asa of The Source, a Yoruba Chieftaincy title.
Q: How come
your music harp on moral decadence and lawlessness in Nigeria and Africa?
A:Our Music reminds people of our rich and unique cultural traditions. Historically, our culture as had important influence in the Diaspora. Most societies have lost their way, sometimes the way forward means going back. Going back also means going back to our values, as in respect for our elders, our environment and the unity of the family.
A:Our Music reminds people of our rich and unique cultural traditions. Historically, our culture as had important influence in the Diaspora. Most societies have lost their way, sometimes the way forward means going back. Going back also means going back to our values, as in respect for our elders, our environment and the unity of the family.
THANKS YOU SO
MUCH FLOXY BEE
You are welcome
King Cerutti
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