The history of singing in the Hausa entertainment industry will not be complete without mentioning Fa’iza Badawa, who has spent over a decade in the industry. In this interview, the singer talks about her marriage and her ability to continue singing, among other issues.
Who is Fa’iza Badawa?
Fa’iza Badawa is my stage name, but my real name is Fa’iza Muhammad. I was born in Kano State 33 years ago. I did all my conventional studies in Kano and joined the entertainment industry as a musician 18 years ago. I have sang a lot of songs that have been featured in many Hausa hit movies so far, as well as others related to political campaigns and jingles.
How many songs do you have so far?
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To be honest with you, I can’t give you a precise figure now because there are so many, but I can vividly remember that the song that shot me to limelight was that of ‘Dan Lukuti’ – the sound track for the film ‘Oga Abuja’. It is now clear that in the Hausa entertainment sector, there is an issue on singers not having record of their songs documented; so, on my part, I plan on having an archive of my songs soon, for record purposes.
When did you get married?
I got married on April 8, 2017 and living happily with my husband. We are blessed with a child.
It is a marriage based on love and mutual understanding; my husband has been so supportive, loving and caring. He has supported me and is still supporting me in my career as a musician. He is the best husband one can ever pray for and I am grateful to have him.
Is it true that you have stopped singing since you got married?
No, it is not true. I am still a sing and many of the big names in the entertainment industry, especially musicians, know that I am still practicing because we still work together. Many of them who couldn’t get me through my phone, usually call my husband who will convey their messages to me, which is usually on business deals that require my inputs.
However, due to the assumption that one has to quit the industry once married, especially the female artistes, a lot of other artistes believed that I have quit.
You see, many female singers operate behind the camera, our voices are what announces our presence and not our faces. Perhaps that is why many think that as a married artiste, I have quit the sector.
On many occasions, I have had to explain to many of my colleagues that I am still very active in the industry.
You know our voice is our signature and if you don’t know your colleagues’ voice that much, you wouldn’t be able to recognize it when you hear it, and that is why people don’t notice our presence since we operate behind the cameras.
How do you manage your singing career as a married woman?
It is a careful calculation fashioned out to suit our environment as well as our culture. I adopted a measure that, whoever wants me to do a song with him/her has to finish writing the song as well as finish all other requirements needed in song production. I then fix a separate date for my voicing session, which I would do alone in a studio, and after that any other stakeholder can do his or her part after I have left the studio.
It will interest you to note that there are more married women who sing in the industry than you can imagine. There are married singers like Zuwaira Isma’il, Murja Baba, Naja’atu Ta’Annabi, Maryam A Baba, Jamila Sadi, Zainab Diamond, Sa’a Vocal, da Sa’a Nazifi Asnanic and others who still sing despite being married.
One would also want to ask how we manage our career and family management; we are able to do that based on the fact that we have mapped out time for everything. Nevertheless, family comes first and we never mix the two.
What challenges do you face as a married musician?
I can’t say I am facing any challenge, as a married singer at this point in time. There’s a good understanding between me and my husband, we love each other and we have mutual understanding. He has been a pillar in my life, my best friend, my husband and the father of my child. He has been my best companion who guides me on my chosen career, which is why I always wish him the best in this life and the life hereafter.
What would you say to your fans?
I can’t thank them enough; I know their support has helped me a great deal, without them there is no me. They have been there for us even though they don’t see us, yet they believe in our ability to make them happy.
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