Ex big brother naija s6 winner Whitemoney has finally confessed to his fanbase that the only way to his heart is just Food
Hazel Oyeye Onou, known with the sobriquet White Money, is winner of 6th edition of Big Brother Nigeria. He is also a singer and entrepreneur. He talks about his early life, surviving on the streets, the turning point in his life, handling female admirers and his new song Selense.
What are some of the memorable moments in the house?
The first was entering the house. That was a very memorable moment for me. The second was hearing Big Brother call my name and the third was winning the Lipton Ice contest. I didn’t see that coming and same for Revolution plus challenge. And the most memorable was eating those food on the last day. They were amazing, God was good that last week. There you will know that heaven is really here on earth. For me, it is not a strategy, it is a lifestyle. I was raised that way. It is something that my mother has put in me.
Did she teach you how to cook?
No. I am usually there and I am seeing it. And because it is a skill, a talent in you, you don’t necessarily have to be taught. I had to devise most of the things we cooked in the house with the little ingredients we had.
Can we say that what you are doing now, is what you always wanted to do?
Yes, it is and more. It is a month and three weeks that I got out of the house. And in that period I am an Ambassador, I am an high Chief, not the normal regular one. First of it’s kind in my state where a gathering of Igwe’s would come come and give one person the title. I was also inducted into the actors Guild of Nigeria and I have other things that I have not mentioned.
Then I just dropped a single yesterday called Selense. It is a very inspirational song with lots of messages and depth. Did it when I was between 18 and 20. I had recorded the song before but didn’t release it, 500 copies of a CD plate. I did it out of depression and I burnt it. No helper, nothing. I was just new in Lagos. So, basically I got into the house and the talent came back on its own. The house brought back the better side if me. I am a song writer, I have so many songs and I said, Holy Spirit direct me on the song to release. Perre was the one who helped me to put this song out. I just sang it to him in the kitchen, he left and began to sing it unconsciously. That was when I knew this is the song to put out. The song will tell you the story of my life and it transcends into every common Nigerian that exists on earth.
Music for me is diverse. I can sing about women, love and everything. I am not a secular artiste, not a worldly artiste, neither am I a gospel artiste. My genre of music is called cucumber. It is melody that is united.
Tell us about early life and growing up?
It was beautiful. I was born with a silver spoon, diamond and gold spoons in my mouth at the same time. But, I lost it all along the way, not even a rubber spoon was left. I was into the streets from a very young age but to God be the glory, I never smoked or did anything that could destroy me. Instead, the streets helped me to define my life and be a better man. The things I have now, if God gave me two years ago, I would have died because I won’t know how to handle it. Most times, God delays your blessings for you to have the maturity to handle it.
Let’s talk about your love for food? My love for food is amazing. That includes eating and cooking. Food is part of life. If you want to preach to a man, give him food. If you are preaching to a man that is hungry, it won’t work. Jesus that we serve made Manna fall from heaven. So, the way to my heart is food.
What inspired you to participate in Big brother Nigeria?
What was on my mind basically was to get myself out of poverty, to help my family. I went in there, not as a single person but as a human representing an entity of people. So, went in there for my friends, family, neighbourhood and community.
You were humble in the house, where did your humility come from?
Humility is of God. If you are a believer, and if you believe in God, you will know that the first thing to gaining God’s favour is humility. The Bible records countless time being humble and how pride can ruin a man. So, humility is something every man should have especially when you have the understanding that the life that you live in is not yours. It is a borrowed life, you can die anytime. There is no pride in the grave.
Did this come from your parents?
Humility is of the Lord. I can say everybody have their definition of humility. One person they use to make reference when it comes 3 humility is Tuface.Yet, some people will still tell you that Tuface is not humble.