I cant date a celebrity by Run Town

Douglas Jack Agu aka Run­Town, is one of the fast rising pop acts that have shown huge potentials. The Enugu state-born singer registered himself into the consciousness of music lovers with his smash hit single Gallardo, featuring Davido. In his first major interview since he hit limelight, he spoke to VIVIAN ONYEBUKWA on his early beginning and challenges he’s had to deal with.

How did music begin for you?

It started in 2007 but professionally I’ll say 2010 because that was when I recorded my first single, Party Like It’s 1980. 2007 was the year Phyno and I moved down to Lagos from Enugu. Back then we stayed and worked with J Martins and featured on J Martins’ second album entitled Tonight. I also did my own song Activity Pikin. I shot a video for it, got little airplay but people didn’t get to know who Run Town was. Along the line I met Timaya and I start­ed working and staying with Timaya. I learnt a lot from Timaya about growing up in the industry. When I recorded Party Like Its 1980, people started to show me love. The song was popular but the artiste wasn’t popular so I felt I needed to put a face to my music. That was how we thought of doing a remix of the song. I told Timaya I wanted to feature Davido and he put a call through to Davido but when we got to Davido’s studio, we changed our minds and did Gallardo. That was how my career took a new turn. Now I have new singles out entitled Successful and Domot.

How would you describe your growth since Gallardo was re­leased?

To be honest, the love I’ve been receiving is amazing, the support has been impressive and it makes me really excited and eager to do more. So in the coming months, I’ll be dropping more singles and videos but I won’t drop an album this year; the album SHould drop next year. I’m still trying to carve a niche for myself.

Gallardo sounds like Davido’s Aye. Why?

Yea, I’ve heard that a couple of times but I guess, it’s because the same producer made both songs; both songs were produced by T-Spice.

You recently signed a record deal with Eric Manny Records, tell us about it?

When I released Party Like Its 1980, I was in some kind of partnership with Phyno on a record label called Pen­thauze. We were running it together but at some point I pulled out because I felt it’s time to take a bold step in my career. And at that time, Eric Manny brought an offer for me through a friend, Bugo. I took the offer and the rest is history.

As a child growing up, what profession fascinated you?

I wanted to be a basket ball player be­cause I was playing basketball back then. I even played professionally to an extent before music stole my heart.

So why did you dump basketball for music?

I guess music just stole my heart. I really don’t know how it happened. All I know is that music just located me and stole my heart.

Let’s talk about your childhood?

I grew up partly in Abuja and Lagos. Initially we were based in Lagos because my dad was ill and he was in LUTH most of the time. When my dad died, we moved to Abuja because at that time, my mum worked for the Ministry of Health. In 2005, mum relocated to Enugu when she went into politics and I moved with her too.

If music hadn’t worked out for you, what else would you have done?

I would have been a professional bas­ket ball player because I always concen­trate fully on anything I want in life. I believe I would have made it to the NBA