Naeto C's Undercover Celebrity Status Busted at the University of Dundee

Nigerian celebrities are gaining notoriety the world over it is becoming hard to “just be,” even in far away shores. Naeto C, Nigerian rap star and student at the University of Dundee in the UK just recently got his undercover status at the campus busted! Oops! Here is a snippet of what the star said about being a celebrity, trying to keep things “hush hush” and at the same time pursuing a degree.

“‘I came here for the course so my focus was on going to school and getting my Masters,’ Naeto explained. ‘I didn’t tell people what I do in addition to my studies because all I wanted to do was get on with things. I’d be working on my studies for a while and then I would have to fly somewhere for something to do with the music – it was kind of a double life, which wasn’t easy to keep up.

‘I just wanted to concentrate on my studies but, as the year progressed, I had to tell the programme director as it was getting harder to balance my music and studies and needed to rearrange things as a result.

‘I’m working hard to get the grades, but it is difficult when you’ve got an album coming out and filming to do in South Africa that’s to do with the World Cup! I have to write my dissertation by August and, just after that, I’ll be releasing a new record.

‘It’s not just about music for me. Music began as a hobby which became much bigger than I’d ever imagined it would, but there’s more to me than that. I think what’s important is what you use the music to do. In that respect, my main inspiration is Jay-Z because he’s not just a musician, but also a businessman. That’s a good benchmark for me.

‘I can’t say what will happen with my music but getting my masters will give me something to fall back on. This is my Plan B.’

Naeto, who has been dubbed the most educated entertainer in Africa, obtained his undergraduate degree from George Washington University in the US. In addition to MCing, he also writes and co-produces his music. Naeto’s uplifting tunes have proved a hit with audiences around the world, and he has been heralded as the voice of young Nigeria.

He has performed at festival and concerts across the globe, and was a media panellist at Harvard African Business School’s Annual Conference 2010.

Naeto also recently featured on An African Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby, where he discussed the growth of hip hop on the continent.

‘It’s really taken off in Africa in the past 10 years, although it’s been brewing for a while,’ he continued. ‘It’s connected to the growth of urban culture. The young people in cities have been looking for a medium that represents their views and experiences, and it’s the urban youth I’m trying to represent. It strikes a chord because they understand the message of empowerment which you hear in hip hop.’

Naeto says he says he wants to give something back to Nigeria, both in practical and inspirational ways. He is involved with a project entitled ‘School is Cool’ which, when he has time to do so, will see him visit schools in Africa and speak to children about the importance of education.

‘Nothing is as important as education, and the youth need someone who is educated and who has been there to tell them that. It’s not all about the fame, cars, money and women that they perceive someone to have and which is very often not the case.” Visit Dundee for the full story.
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