Meet El Mafrex, Nigerian-born urban gospel singer-songwriter, Future Awards for Africa nominee, Double Award Winner, Scottish New Music Awards, MOBO Awards Nominee and several other awards and nominations, a designer and more...

Meet El Mafrex

El Mafrex, (Born, Mfreke Obong Ibanga; May 14, 1984) is a Nigerian-born urban gospel singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This Manchester United F.C. fan was born in Nigeria, as stated above and attended the Nigerian Military School Zaria, Kaduna state. He graduated in 2006 from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, where he studied Physics and majored in Electronics. In 2010, he obtained a masters degree in Information-Systems Development, from the Edinburgh Napier University.

In 2001 he started a boy-band called Men of Destiny (MOD) and was the lead vocalist of the five-man group. The band toured and played shows in Nigeria, especially the South-South region, before later expanding from a boy-band to a family project. The family project gave bith to the Destiny Kids and the MOD dancers.

While in the University of Uyo, he formed another boy-band, Da Grooves, made up of Louis and Geepee. Together they played gigs on campus and its environs.

At the end of 2004, he left the group to start his own solo career, which he called the El Mafrex project. He was voted artiste of the year in 2005 by the SUG of the University of Uyo and his songs ‘’Rhythm in the air’’ and ‘’Esio Mkpo’’ enjoyed a lot of airplay on radio and TV stations all over Nigeria. ‘’Rhythm in the air’’ won song of the year on the then Cosmo FM Enugu.

El Mafrex has other interests besides music, as he prepares to launch his own brand of sunglasses. He had his sunglasses customized, and got a lot of compliments from people, who are interested in acquiring them. This has propelled him to having his own line of sunglasses. The name of the line would be 3:16, derived from the bible verse, John 3:16.

His song ‘’Jehovah’’ which features Christian Rock band, the Royal Foundlings, had well over 500,00 hits within its first week of release on Youtube.

Awards and Nominations

• ·  Winner, Scottish New Music Awards as, Artiste of the Year
• ·     
•       Winner, Scottish New Music Awards as, Urban Recording Of the year, making him the The First Black Man to win the SNMA.
• ·   
•      Nominated Scottish New Music Award, in Video of the year category.
• · 
•      Nominated, 2012 Music Of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) as Best Gospel Act.
• ·
•      Nominated, for the 2013 FUTURE AWARDS FOR AFRICA , under the category of Entertainment Talent

Top Singles

• ·        2006 – Rhythm in the air
• ·        2010 – Ibagaba
• ·        2011 – Thank You
• ·        2012 – Jehovah, No Denying, Bounce and Your Word.

With some nominations and awards on your resume, the most recent being the Future Awards nomination…What is music to you?

Music to me is the metronome of God’s heart. Music is melodious way of passing a strong message across, as a Christian it’s an easy way of preaching the Gospel.

Have you always wanted to be a musician? 

Well I started singing at the age of 7, back in CGM. I was promoted to the adult Choir because my teachers thought my voice was too good for just the children church, so I was in the main Choir at the age of 7. I actually started music again around 2001 after my High School. I always wanted to be a pilot, lol… My passion for music has increased so much in the last few years.

What do you call your genre, because you sound more like a reggae artiste? 

Well I’m a versatile musician, thank God for gospel music… It allows me the privilege to delve in to many genres of music. This is the order,  Hiphop, ragga, reggae, R n B, Afro & Rock.

Who is/are your major influence(s) in music? 

Well I’ll always go with Papa San and Kirk Franklin. The latter because he revolutionized gospel music.  In Nigeria Mbomboyo, cos he made me love reggae music.

You started in Nigeria, before moving overseas. I want you compare and contrast from your experience and perspective. 

Well Nigeria has one of the fastest growing music industry in Africa and we are gradually permeating the western world with our style of music, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. I feel the government in Nigeria is not fully involved in the music industry. You look at America for example they have the RIAA in which the Government is fully involved in and that has helped the growth of American music, we don’t have that in Nigeria. I thought I knew a lot until I came here and found out I still had a lot to learn. First of all I had to recreate my style to suit the music terrain here and re-launched myself, making sure that I did not lose my Nigerian sound. I’ve had to struggle less over here compared to when I was in Nigeria, cause they are facilities everywhere… The people here need the gospel, which has helped motivate me to take the gospel to them.

Any plans to come home?

Yeahhhh, home will always be home. Even though I have a big announcement to make about my next move soon, it maybe Nigeria, Scotland or America, still waiting for a confirmation from God.

You seem to hold down a regular job. How do you toggle between your job and your music career?

Big Question Alvin, it’s been crazy having to carry both of them… It’s God’s grace, cos there’s been times I feel like I’m going to breakdown, but God keeps strengthening me. Part of my next big move maybe I’ll be going in to Gospel music fulltime, cos Gospel music needs dedication and attention.

What has been your best music career moment?

Well I’ve had some Epic moments like the night I won the Scottish Music Awards and the night I found out that I was nominated for the MOBO Awards. Then every time I have the opportunity to sing before God’s people, I treasure them so much.

Your worst moments:

 Worst moment, thinking… I’ve never had any to be honest. Cos I sing Gospel music and I know for a fact that there’s always a blessing in there for someone, no matter how I feel about my performance.

What has been your most successful song and why?

My most successful song hmmmm, all of them… but I think “Jehovah” is up there, it received so many positive reviews. Then to me my best song  is “That Man from Galilee” it ministers to me personally everytime I listen to it.

Do you feel famous already?

Well we are all shinning lights, so it’s always good to look good and for some of us we like to be unique.

I’m sure you smile to the bank a lot.

Yes sir, they are good and changeling days too, lol. God has been faithful! I’ve never lacked.

What’s your best color?

Red, white and blue

What’s your grooming secret? i.e. Skin/body care etc. Yes men do that too.

 Hahahaha Alvin… Hmmm my cream is Cocoa Radiant, cheap and affordable. For my hair Softsheen Carson. Loool

Your perfumes?

I like 1 million absolutely Gold and my new love is Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

Who is your best designer?

My best designer, hmmm I’ll say Jeremy Scott cos he inspires me and his styles are so funky. He inspires me to create too

Do you see yourself as fashionable or simply stylish?

I’m just unique

Your style Icon?

I don’t have any in style Icon in particular.

What are your fears?

Failure

Tell us that part of you that people do not know.

Well I’m always fidgeting before I go on stage and also very nervous. I’m also a very shy guy, but I never let it show.

What do we expect from El Mafrex and where should we hope to see you 5 years from now?

Well in the next 5 years making more great and inspiring Gospel music and affecting lives positively.

Is El Mafrex single , booked or taken?

Well I’m not single and the big announcement is coming soon.

Your final word for the industry:

With persistency and consistency we can always achieve what we set our hearts to do. Love God and love people.

Thanks for your time, I wish you all the best!

*El Mafrex will respond to any further questions asked via the comment field*