Can you briefly introduce yourself to us? - My name is Harvey Oluwabimpe Susan – a native of Ikole-Ekiti, in Ekiti State. I am the first-born of my family; I have five siblings, three brothers and two sisters. It does come with a lot of responsibilities. I came from a very religious background. I grew up in Anthony area of Lagos. I attended Green Springs Montessori School, Anthony, and Saint John's College, Palm Grove, all in Lagos. I have a degree in Business Management from University of Sunderland, United Kingdom. We didn't have many friends; my parents didn't allow us to.
I spent a lot of my time indoor writing about things, trying to be creative. I was a very good student, good in English, I read a lot of novels, and I used to lend my friends a lot of novels. Quite interesting, but on the other side, I am a bit shy; I like to be on my own. I don't like hanging around; it's all due to my upbringing because when I was growing up I didn't like going out too often. So, I can say I was not an outgoing person.
How would you describe yourself as a student, both academically and socially? - I was socially adept in school, I mingled a lot and I had a lot of friends. I was very popular in school though my parents didn't allow us to have friends outside the church, so I couldn't bring friends home. But I sometimes sneaked out to visit them. Academically? That is another issue. I don't think I was stupid, I just think I wasn't motivated. There was a term I had F9 in all the subjects except English Language, Biology and Christian Religious Knowledge. I didn't know how I managed not to repeat the class.
How would you describe your childhood? - Happy, carefree, innocent because I was alone for a while. I mean my younger sister wasn't born until for five years after I was. So, I was spoilt rotten, I think.
How would your parents describe you as a child? - Stubborn, playful, and highly intelligent. I loved playing, but I also never got less than 3rd position in all of my primary school years.
You have won quite a number of awards, which one do you cherish most? - All the awards are equal because of the fact that you are getting appreciated for the effort that you put in. It is one thing for your family, friends and people out there to like your music and another thing for the industry to recognize your work. The awards that I have got from my 'You Know It' video and single are something for me to cherish.
Is it true that you signed a life contract with Kennis Music? - The relationship I have with Kennis Music is beyond business. I see Kennis as my mentor, brother, and father, even before I came to the industry. So, I don't think the deal I signed with Kennis has any slavery tag to it. I think it is favourable to both parties as long as you keep hand-in-hand with the company, you will always do well.
Would it be wise to say you are one of the artistes who returned to Nigeria because they could not make it abroad? - You can make it anywhere. But I think my family knows why I came to Nigeria. I really went abroad to do a degree at the university, where I read Business Management. I was not intending or planning to stay there. I came back to Nigeria in late 2006; my first music video when I arrived Nigeria was in April 2007 titled, Komole. It was produced by OJD. I really don t think that I returned to Nigeria because I could not make it abroad. I came to Nigeria to continue what I started. I never see myself as going solo in anyway, even while I was abroad, I was thinking of continuing my music career in Nigeria.
So when I came to Nigeria, I came to pursue my music career. When I returned I could remember I met a producer, who is now a head in Cool FM, we talked about him doing jungles; I was bent on producing my job. He was surprised that I was singing, playing guitar and piano. I told him that when I was in school in the UK, I was in a group of four girls and we used to perform. He now said I should come and produce jingles for him, and that is how I entered the studio. So, it is not that I came to Nigeria because I was a failed artiste in the UK, no. It was more like your interest and your passion comes out of you when you meet the right people, and in the right mindset.
Who are you looking up to in the industry? Your role model? - Somebody who have done unusual. I don't like everyday people, I mean people who are not creative, and as in you don't just get doing one thing everyday. But lots of artistes have changed in different ways, which I like. I like Dare Art-Alade. I think Dare is extraordinary. I grew up listening to Onyeka Onwenu, the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Evi Edna-Ogoli, Blackky and I think these people influenced me in a lot of ways.
Who presently are you thinking of doing collaboration with? I mean that you are dying to have a collabo with? - I am not really dying to have collaboration with anyone, I think right now it is more about a collective mind with my fans on a personal level. I think collaboration is more of a commercial benefit, when you are trying to marry this person with another person. But to me now, I am not keen about any collaboration with anybody; rather I want to get closer to my fans.
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