Special Edition Thursday with Duza

Jerry Duza Dauda

Jerry and I got into a deep (and slightly dramatic) conversation about food, and I came to a life-changing realisation that I can never, under any circumstances, eat okra with any meat, even if you fry it with olive oil and say it’s anointed. Nope, not happening. Meanwhile, Jerry was hyping his favourite Nigerian dish: pounded yam (which, to me, looks like pap), paired with okra soup and egusi. Have any of you ever tried this combo?

Oh, and in true Nigerian fashion, he boldly declared that Nigerian jollof is superior to Ghanaian jollof, so if you’re Ghanaian, please slide into his DMs and settle this once and for all, whoever wins must make the jollof for the entire Yielded Community all over the world. LOL! Now, let’s get into today’s Special Edition Thursday Interview with none other than Jerry, aka Duza! Let’s go!

Where are you from?
▪️I’m from Northern Nigeria, from a minority tribe called the Gbagyi.
What’s the story behind the name J.Clone?
▪️ Well, I was, I was looking to project my music as a sold out Gospel Artist and so, that was where the name J.Clone came from. It was supposed to be J.Clone for Jesus clone and with the idea that we are meant to replicate Jesus wherever we go. So J.Clone came from that, and then with time, I felt restricted because I was going about doing my normal ministrations here and there as a hip hop artist, but I had a kind of push back from church, because they didn’t really get my vision when It came to my sound and my style. I was bringing a new sound to the hip hop community, and they felt that this doesn’t belong to the church. But then I decided, after a while, to really do what I feel God has called me to do, and part of that is to be able to reach a wider audience, cutting across the church, and then not allowing myself to be fit into a box. So I adopted my, my tribal name Duza. I just decided to use that as my artist name, and l have been building that. I mean, I don’t know how to put it, but yes, I’m a church boy. So that’s the history about the name. Btw, Duza means God is great!
If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
▪️Misfit. I see myself as someone who doesn’t really fit in. My story has always been that of people just trying to figure out who this person is. I’m not able to fit into their idea of whom a rapper should be. See you always have a picture when you talk about rappers or hip hop artists right? What comes to people’s minds is someone who smokes, drinks, who has tattoos, someone who maybe has dreads, you understand. So I’m not a picture of the “classic” Hip Hop guy. What makes me stand out the gift that God has given me and that is what has separated me from the rest. I’m so conscious of the call on my life, I don’t fit into the definitions people have about the hip hop artists.
What’s something people assume about you that is not true?
▪️ People think l am too strong.. Because I do a lot of work for people. I am the backstage person, I love to work behind the scenes. So people think I’m strong. I carry their burdens. They think I’m able to take a lot. But there’s actually a part of me that is a little emotional . Maybe I don’t do too well to project that, but I’m not always confident. I’m not always as strong as they see me. So I just feel like that’s the misconception . I think that’s just one thing I want to put out there. I’m not all strong always. It is really just the grace of God that helps me.
If you were to describe yourself using 3 emojis, what would they be?
▪️ 😎❤️😇

How would you describe your style in 3 words?
▪️ I would say Creative , Real Life and Relevant.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
▪️ I draw inspiration from my experiences. Basically, I love to tell stories. I use these experiences to teach through my music. My goal is to help someone, to also inspire them through my story to be better or to do better with their lives. I really want to impact people and to be able to leave a legacy more than just create creating vibes. I’m not vibes on vibes person.
Have you ever created something that you thought was fire but it flopped?
▪️LOL! Of course! Im very sure if you ask any artist this question they will tell you the same. We have, that we felt like, ah this will be great. There was a song like I did, I am back. I feel like it was a great record but it didn’t do so well. There’s so many I’ve done, some I didn’t even release them. I recorded an EP some years ago that crashed. The laptop crashed with the entire project so I could not put it out. And that really affected me so much, because I loved the project. Let me hint you, it was from a heartbreak I had just gone through, so I think God was restraining me lol.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?
▪️I’ve always wanted to work with Mali Music. Well, l also love Lauryn Hill.

Social media can be brutal, how do you handle criticism and negative comments?
▪️Very nice question. I think this is something we all deal with, especially in this time, this age. Sometimes I take time out from social media. Sometimes I just want to go off social media. I used to be very conscious of what people say but I’ve really just understood that social media is a game of psychology. If you understand the psychology of social media you will not take everything you see there, you will be able to filter it. I know that this is what is beneficial, I’m using that to filter what I take in. And l also think people should learn how to block people and negative energy. I block a lot. I just block people who I know are not adding value to my life.
What’s the weirdest or funniest DM you ever received?
▪️ Well, not weird but many years ago, I got to work for a US based rapper. They reached out to me to do a chorus for a song. That was one day I knew, I am on the right path doing what God has called me to do. So it wasn’t weird in a bad way. I just felt like, really grateful to God for the opportunity. After that we did two or three more collaborations.
What’s your favourite social media app?
▪️Twitter!
If Twitter shut down today what social media app would be your favourite?
▪️ Uhmm Instagram.

What’s your favourite scripture?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

What’s one lesson God has taught you through your journey?
▪️ Understanding the love of God and how to love the nearest person to me. I feel like the world can do more with much more love than there is right now. If we can express God’s love, the world would be a better place. It’s easy to show love to people we are trying to prove a point to out there but at home we don’t show any of that. The testament of your love really comes from those closest to you who know you.
What’s your favourite book of the Bible?
▪️Paul’s letter to the Romans. There’s a lot to learn about Christianity in that book.

If you were stranded on an island and you had to have 3 things to survive what would they be?
▪️ Only 3 things? I would have to take my AirPods , a blanket and Edaniels. Ohh my phone too! Add 4 for bonus. We will eat fish from somewhere lol.
What’s one song that’s always on repeat on your playlist?
▪️ Yahweh by Edaniels! And bonus, Lonely Road by Jelly Roll.
Tea is coffee?
▪️Tea
Mornings or nights?
▪️Mornings. Especially Saturday Mornings!
The city or village?
▪️City!
Movies or Music?
▪️Music

What’s next for you?
▪️For now I’m doing courses to understand the professional side of things. In music I want to put out more singles this year because there’s a lot of songs I’m working on at the moment. I also plan to do live videos from the songs I’ve released. I see myself developing and diving into music publishing in the future.
What advice would you give to young artists who are trying to build their careers?
▪️I do a lot of research so I’m gonna advise on the technical side. They should learn the business part of music and how it’s evolving. They should understand how royalties are paid, how music is published and how you can sync license your songs. Understanding the business side of music will help many artists.
If you could give your younger self advice what would it be?
▪️To not be swayed by what others are doing. Understanding the call of God on your life will remove the pressures we go through when we’re too focused on other people. In Nigeria songs are released every week and if you’re not true to yourself you’ll be so confused and pressurised. We call it “I wan blow” that mindset of wanting to be a star overnight. With that mindset you’ll be frustrated and you’ll probably die trying. Just stay true to your own unique path.
Any last words or advice you wanna share with us?
▪️It’ll be from my favourite scripture. You may be at the edge of life and dealing with stuff , trust God regardless of whatever is happening. He is able to do! He will direct your paths.