He is a well-known entertainment guru after collaborating with wonder boy Mohamed Kallon to operate Kallbox. Abubakarr Boxx Konteh or DJ Boxx started as a DJ to become a showbiz mogul in the Sierra Leone industry. But of late his relationship with some leading artistes has not been good. He has being accused of promoting foreign artistes against the locals and also of trampling on their benefits. In this interview with Politico’s Ishmael Bayoh, Boxx said someone has to stand up for the right thing.
Politico: Who do we have today in Politico?
Boxx: Abu Bakarr Konteh aka Boxx
Politico: You were called DJ BOXX initially why was that?
Boxx: I used to be a DJ and it’s one of the things I love to do the most.
Politico: Why did you choose entertainment as a business?
Boxx: I came from an entertainment family background.
Politico: You partnered with Mohamed Kallon to operate Kallboxx, what is wrong with that business?
Boxx: Kallboxx was non-profitable record label & we did that for about seven years. I told Kallon [Mohamed Kallon, Sierra Leone’s international football star] I wasn’t going to run it any longer because we were supposed to help artistes in return for them to help others; but that wasn’t happening and this is the reason why I created Boxx Productions.
Politico: You have been accused by many, especially artistes, that you are in the habit of just promoting the artistes under your label. How true is that?
Boxx: No that is so wrong. I have helped almost all the big artistes based in Sierra Leone but if they say so that’s fine with me. My label is not funded by the government, UN or anybody, it’s my money and business and I have the right to do business with whoever chooses to do business with me.
Politico: Another accusation is that you don’t consider the Salone artistes because of foreign ones. What do you make of that?
Boxx: This is the craziest accusation. I am a record label CEO but at the same time a promoter. Like it or not Nigerians are leading the music industry in Africa today and we are so close to them. So why can’t we learn the best things from them to improve ours. We have some of the best talents in Africa but we don’t know business side of music and it’s very important we think business so we can stop the BORBOR EN BRA business which is killing the industry. As a promoter I will give the people what they want whether Sierra Leoneans or international artistes.
Politico: Your name has not feared on well when it comes to front line showbiz, are you aware about that?
Boxx: Someone has to stand up for the right thing and I’m doing just that. A lot of people in the industry want the industry to stay where it is forever, but for me that is NOOOOOOO. We must hit the international market and this is the reason why am investing my money and time in it. I don’t invest in talk talk.
Politico: Things turned out messy for you and some artistes when you handled the 50th Anniversary Entertainment Committee, what actually went wrong?
Boxx: Too much hate in this our industry. Some showed no support or love because I was picked to the social & entertainment chairman for the 50th committee and not them. Some big guns in the industry did everything they could to make sure the entertainment side of the 50th celebration came out messy. But hate doesn’t stop me from doing the right thing and I want to thank the people of Sierra Leone for giving me the chance to show my talent.
Politico: Is it true that you and Kao Denero are not faring on well?
Boxx: No I don’t have issues with Kao at all. I can’t be friends with everyone in the industry.
Politico: Can you actually explain what went wrong during the Akon show as Kao alleged he was set up on stage?
Boxx: All I have to say is that I had nothing to do with what happened with LA & Kao at the Akon show and Kao knows that now. But even if I had asked Akon to call LA on stage, is that a crime? I wasn’t even there when Akon called LA. One bad thing we have in our industry is people always hit on you to go one step forward and I’m used to that now.
Politico: And he used that Akon venom against you when he exposed you for not paying him during the anniversary?
Boxx: Hahahahaha!! Kao had been paid and at that time the Vice President called them and he told them that he has nothing to do with me. But again I always have to be hit at for doing the right thing.
Politico: With Boxx production, you introduced the wonder kid, Chubby ASA but Daddy Rhymes claims Chubby is his. Is that true?
Boxx: I hate to talk about Chubby because she is just a kid and people should protect her. The problem is not me or Daddy Rhymes, something needs to be done because her father is messing her up. As I speak Rhymes has taken him to the police station three times. Thanks to Jimmy B for the advice. After meeting Jimmy B, I called Rhymes and Chubby’s father and I told them I wanted nothing to do with her again.
Politico: You, Bajah and Aklas were at each other’s throat on face book over promotions. Why was that?
Boxx: Stuff like this happens all the times. They have right to their views but sometime folks forget that I am running a private business which is not owned by government or the UN.
Politico: But they are blaming you for killing Salone artistes in favour of foreign ones?
Boxx: So are they saying I am the only one in this industry? How can one man kill a big industry like this? I always make ways for Salone artistes to do shows in Liberia, Gambia and Guinea and our music is doing great in these countries than they are doing in Salone what if the artistes in these countries say Salone artistes shouldn’t go there to do show. I think we should just grow up and start thinking business.
Politico: LAJ has also joined the others in blasting you in his I am not guilty track
Boxx: I was surprise myself but again whenever I stand up for what is right they always go to the mic. He had a problem with government and I was there for them. I advised him as young brother but I guess he didn’t take my advice and when I chose not to get involved this time, the hate is all over the place now. I will always standup for what is right.
Politico: What do you think is the problem between you and these artistes?
Boxx: I have a good relationship with most of the artistes but few of them don’t like when I stand up for what is right.
Politico: Is Boxx the problem for controlling the industry?
Boxx: Hahahahah please let them tell. I am running a private company and not responsible to run the industry.
Politico: What can you proffer for the music industry to grow?
Boxx: We need to grow; stop the hate about foreign artistes and learn the best from them. But most importantly we always think business.
Politico: Between the artistes and the managers, who is the boss?
Boxx: This is the point I am talking about, we don’t know the business side of this game. Anywhere else in the world the artiste is always the boss for the manager but in Salone the manager is the boss because the manager does the spending.
Politico: Nice having you.
Boxx: Thanks to Politico
