Enugu is constantly buzzing with events and activities. It’s no surprise therefore that there are many emcees doing their thing in the city. Some have distinguished themselves from the crowd with their unique brand and style. Click042 had a chit-chat with MC Lord Ell D Hercules, one of Enugu’s most visible MCs. He has worked many events in Enugu, including the Smirnoff House Party, the Malta Guiness Herbal Malt Launch, The Most Elegant Face South East, and numerous others.
Let’s start with the basics. What’s your real name?
Nwokeoma Elvis, middle name is private.
How did the name “MC Lordell D Hercules” come about?
The Bible says that Jesus is the Lord of lords. I like to think of myself as one of the lords under him. That’s how the Lord came about. The Ell is a short form of my name, Elvis. The Hercules is based on the character Hercules. He’s never killed, he’s always the attraction, but the extraordinary thing about him is that he doesn’t just rely on his muscles. He still works hard and puts in effort to make achievements. So the name MC Lord Ell D Hercules is a result of these, and it has a different sound from the MC names we usually hear.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lagos, Ajegunle to be precise. I grew up in a family of five, minus my dad whom I lost when I was a year old.
But you’re not from Lagos, right?
No, I’m a mixed breed. My dad is from Imo state, my mum is from Lagos state.
So what brought you to Enugu?
I actually came to school. I studied Civil Engineering in ESUT. I’m not practising right now. But school brought me to Enugu, and entertainment is keeping me in Enugu.
How did you decide to become an MC?
*takes off glasses* I was actually a singer, a very good one. Then I discovered while I was singing, that I could add stuff to make people laugh. So my pastor suggested that I try comedy, since I already had a comic side. I started by hosting a church event and I did it perfectly well. Everyone was pleased with my performance, so I decided to go into it and combine it with my singing.
So you still sing?
Yes I do.
Have you released any music?
Nah, I just did a little advert song for Orange Room, where I worked before. But I have songs that I’ve written on my own which I haven’t recorded yet.
You recently released a hype mix. Can you tell us more about it?
The first ever hype mix in Nigeria. Let’s start from being the first ever hype man in coal city to get paid for hyping.
What’s a hype man, please?
Someone that can change the hype atmosphere of an environment from one level to another. I call myself the hype osmosis, because it’s the movement of molecules from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration. So hyping is getting yourself in a particular spot of activities and making sure the atmosphere gets higher and higher.
So hyping is more like making an event more exciting, not building hype for an event before the event happens.
I could also get paid to do that- to hype before, during or after an event. Hyping is hyping. It’s not just done with your lips, but with your personality.
So you were talking about the hype mix
Yes. I felt there were so many hype men in Nigeria, Africa, everywhere. So I decided to distinguish myself by doing a hype mix that has never been done before, get a DJ, get songs and make a compilation that gives people the feeling they get while in clubs, events parties etc. So if you don’t feel like going out, I bring the club to your doorstep. All you need to do is play the hype mix, get a drink and turn up in your house, car, anywhere.
Are you working on any other project right now?
Yes, we’re looking at my concert “The Return of the Hercules”, we’re looking at the next volume of the Hype Mix. With MC Lord Ell, you don’t know what’s coming next.”
What’s your vision for your career?
My brand should be a testimony, a source of inspiration and blessing to others, and an example what can be achieved when you’re focused and determined.
What challenges have you experienced so far?
People always have the impression that you’re not serious, that you’re just a noisemaker. It’s also not always easy to hold the attention of a noisy crowd. But I’ve never let the bad experiences bring me down. I see them as training to improve myself, and also to be able to advise people who find themselves in a similar situation.
What inspires you? Especially when you’re down or looking for new material.
I’m a very lively and happy person. I just want to see everyone around me happy, laughing, smiling. I like to be in an environment where everything is okay. That makes me always think of comedy materials and things I can do or say to get everyone talking and laughing. I want people to think of me and be happy.
Who do you look up to?
For the comedy aspect, I look up to Forever the Preacher. He has always been there to take me from one level to another. For the hype aspect, I’ve got two hype men I look up to- Dotun of CoolFm and Jimmy.
How do you unwind?
My phone, movies and most especially my friends. I have cool friends, I can be myself around them and it helps me relax.
What’s your favourite thing about Enugu?
The security. It’s not really as rough as some other states. Also, you really need to work hard to impress Enugu people. You have to work hard and think hard because they’re not easily impressed. This helps you push yourself to continue improving your skills, and to keep doing something new.
What’s your favourite food?
I like spaghetti.
What’s your philosophy?
Hmm… Work hard today so you don’t regret tomorrow.
Apart from the music and hyping, is there any other thing that you enjoy doing, even if you don’t intend to make a career of it?
I like building ideas. Like sitting with companies where things are going wrong and trying to come up with solutions on how things can be improved.
If you weren’t in this line, what do you think you would have been doing?
I would have been working with computers. I love computers. I wanted to study computer engineering but I studied civil engineering. I love computers and gadgets.
Let’s talk about your love life. Is there any one special?
Yes, there is.
Do you want to tell us about the person?
No, I don’t (laughs).
You want to keep it private?
It’s private, yeah.
Do you have anything to say to those who are upcoming in your field?
First of all, make sure you’re talented. Use your talent. Don’t just go into it because it looks like others are making money from it. You should be in talented in what you’re going into. Get to know more about it, study it. Go to the internet, have a mentor, study them. Third, work very hard. Fourth, be humble, that’s the most important thing because humility paves way for everything. Fifth, be yourself.
