By Ngozi Emedolibe
He is a child with the ideas of an adult. That is how best to describe this kid music star, who started out two years ago on the stage of the seventh edition of Kids Got Talent, a reality TV show. Before he could get a head-start in school, it was already clear to his mother, Nonye Mojekwu-Chukwujama, that her son belonged to music.
Like Michael Jackson, his vocal ability led his mother to enroll him for the Kids Got Talent competition where he distinguished himself in the competition meant for children between the ages of four and 16.
“I cannot explain it”, OzzyBosco responds to a question about who taught him what he does on stage, as he settles with his crew after a superlative performance where he was one of the star artistes on parade. “I just know that I love music and it makes me very happy, so I move to the feeling inside”.
In four years, OzzyBosco has clinched many honours, the latest being Best Video by a Minor award. The sensational artiste cleared 56 percent of votes cast to beat five other contestants and become the first kid in seven years to cart home the gong in Nigeria.
His seems a life of ‘firsts’ indeed. He is also the first kid to perform on the NMVA stage.
He is also the first kid to be celebrated at the 2013 Kids Got Talent Competition, Grand Finale, where he remains the youngest to have won the Best Entertainer Trophy.
Apparently, OzzyBosco’s award winning ‘Tinini’ video directed by JJC Skillz is yet another record breaker which transcends all ages across the continent. Before Tinini, he had released Super Star video (I know I can be a superstar) which became an instant hit with children and remains their most favourite.
In terms of collaborations, OzzyBosco is a trailblazer amongst his age group. So far, he has done collaborations with notable artistes like: Lamboginny, Flavour N’Abania, Olamide and Terry G. His ‘Ozingo Dance’, produced by MasterKraft which is a few weeks old in the market, cannot be ignored. Within three days, this dancehall song went viral on the internet, airwaves and has generated lots of comments.
He also did a ‘collaboration’ with popular gospel group, Midnight Crew.
Another exciting feature about Ozzy Bosco is how he looks out for children his age who are on the underprivileged side of life. In various ways, he has used his vantage position to impact on his fellow kids. In an unprecedented holiday package tagged: OzzyBosco Charity Adventure, the music sensation took 14 children from orphanages and winners of ‘OzzyBosco Radio Quiz’ on a one week all-expense paid summer holiday to Tinapa in Cross River State. They were warmly received by the State Government, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ (Calabar Chapter).
The high point of the tour was a visit to the motherless babies’ home in Uwanse, Calabar where he instantly bonded with the children.
What is the driving force behind this humanitarian gesture? “I hate to see children like me suffering. I like to make them happy and I will continue to do so”.
Already a brand ambassador, OzzyBosco is the image behind the brand, Tigo milk drink, one of the brands, manufactured by CWay. He is also an ambassador of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA.
Increasingly a toast for both the mainstream media and online blogs, he has a prophetic way of ending his shows, by urging his audience to watch out for him because he is the ‘youngest African superstar’.
According to him, he is holding onto this prophesy. “I believe I will go places. I believe that something big is on the way for me. That is why I am called the Wonder kid”, he says.
Of course, it will be pretty difficult to combine this burgeoning career with education but his mother says, she is making sure that Ozzy Bosco does not lose sight of the need for schooling. “In school, he is doing so well. His results are the proof. And as a mother who values education, I am making sure that he does not lose sight of the need to pursue his education as much as this music career”, Nonye assured.