Chit Chatting with Commission
Written by: Jill Sheets
Commission
Picture credit: Double AK Family Records
Recently, Relate had the honor of interviewing Commission, who are musical duo from London. Continue reading to learn more about this brother singing group.
R: Tell us about yourself?
C: Commission- consists of brothers Tope “Icie” and Gabriel “Bless MC” Chiedozie. We live in West side of London.
R: When did you start to sing? Was that something you always wanted to do?
C: Sing! (laughs), I wish. Lyrically, we started quite a few years ago. We wouldn’t say it was something that we HAD always wanted to do. But as time went along, we realized it was something we took a deeper interest in, and kept doing it. And will continue doing it.
R: When did Commission come together? How did it come about?
C: Commission started out with about 6 members, but as time went on people started to pursue what they really wanted to do. So by February 2004 it became what it is today.
R: How would you describe your music?
C: Our music is informative and is built with a platform for change
R: Tell us about your EP “Take Note.” How long did it take to make the EP from start to finish?
C: “Take Note” started off as a song that Bless was going to use at a youth concert/celebration. It took roughly 2 weeks ½ (overall) to have the song full with the chorus and the lyrics confirmed. And then our management decided to add the rest of the tracks to it. Icie always does a freestyle he calls “Inhale Exhale” we decided to put that on the Ep as well. Fathers Step was something Bless was working on and our manager got another producer (GkiD) to re-produce the beat. The end result is what you now have on the Ep.
Commission
Picture credit: Double AK Family Records
R: Do you write your own songs? If so, what is your writing process? Do you start with the lyrics first?
C: Yes we write our own songs. Our writing process varies at times. We try as much as possible to pray before we write. Sometimes a lyric or a verse could come to our head. We find it easier sometimes to know what the concept or title of the beat is, before we start writing.
R: Tell us about the single “Take Note.” What is the song about?
C: The song “Take Note” is about, as cliché as it sounds, taking notes. Whether it be in education, life, church….Take Note.
Some people fail to understand things they are taught, sometimes because they don’t take notes. In education, if your teacher is giving important information about the test, some may say they remember, but when it comes to exams they would’ve forgotten it because they didn’t take note of it. In life, in order to succeed, one should take note of the faults that another individual has done and avoid producing the similar fault.
In church, many people have complained that they may not understand what the Pastor has preached about, yet they aren’t taking notes. The purpose of taking notes in church is so you can go and get better understand of what was taught in case you didn’t understand and also for you to remember what was taught overall.
Just trying to encourage everyone to take note, it can be read from different angles, but overall…TAKE NOTE
R: How does being a Christian affect your music?
C: We wouldn’t say it affects, but would say it influences our music. One does not rely on ones knowledge or decision in what to write. Its helpful because we know that we’re not writing to benefit ourselves or get ourselves known (even though it will happen), but its mainly to help bring a difference through the tool we have been given.
R: What are some things you would like people to get from your music?
C: Be unique, listen, digest, apply.
Commission
Picture credit: Double AK Family Records
R: Where can people get your music?
C: Our music is on: itunes, Amazon, Emusic, Last.fm, Rhapsody, Napster
R: What is your favourite song to perform?
C: Can I customize the question to What are our favourite songs to perform?
Well: “Champion”, “Take Note”, “Inhale Exhale”, “Up 2 U”, “Too the Guys to the Girls”, “Fathers Steps”. I’m guessing we should’ve said all… (laughs).
R: What do you do before you go out on stage?
C: Before we go out on stage, we pray to God that people hear the message and receive what is being said. And that God should have His way, for us to have fun. Also make sure clarity is exercised, and a bottle of water alongside for the saliva usage.
R: Are there any plans for an up and coming tour?
C: Yep. Our manger is looking into that for us.
R: You two are brothers. What is it like working with each other? How do you deal with disagreements?
C: If there any disagreements we share them so that it is resolved, instead of going on stage holding grudges towards one another.
R: Who has been your biggest influence?
C: When we hear someone is reflecting over their life and are contemplating on making improvements in their lives due to listening to a song or something said by us. That makes us want to write more.
R: What singers and bands can be found on your ipod or mp3 player?
C: There are too many artists to list, it’s mainly UK Gospel, Da Truth, Praise and Worship and Instrumentals,
R: If you two could work with anyone on a song, who would it be and why?
C: Racheal Kerr, Tye Tribbett and Mali Music. They all have unique style that they add to music to make sound so beautiful.
R: If you could tour with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
C: Tye Tribbett, cause of his energy on stage.
R: Do you have any hidden talents?
C: Bless plays football, stage management, project management, acting, and a grill man (bbq), oh yeh he is good with computers. Icie on the other hand love photography, writing and been creative.
R: What has been you favorite memory so far?
C: There was a time where many of my Umbrella (DoubleAK) were going through a tough time, and we went to perform at an event. We did a song called “Champion” and it really touched and encouraged us, there’s a part in the song where we raise our hands in the air and sing “Champion”, and at that same time I saw everyone of us with our arms raised high, even our drummer. That is one of my favorite memories.
R: What do you like to do in your spare time?
C: Similar to our hidden talents
R: What is the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?
C: hummmmm… we’ll come back to that.
R: What advice would you give someone who is interested in the music industry?
C: The music industry is big. You need to know why you want to be in it. Having at the back of your mind that everything is about worldviews. People selling you a lifestyle. So if you are with Christ, stay with Christ! If it is what you are meant to do and you know it is, then work hard on it. Don’t rush to get out there, work hard to get close to perfection. Take Notes (no pun intended) from people who are doing things and learn from it. It’s never a bad thing to learn.
R: What are your future goals?
C: To be where I’m not now, and die empty…
R: If you were not singers, what would you be?
C: Bless would probably be a football or a coach. Icie would be a professional photographer and also doing something in youth work.
R: What are five things people may not know about you?
C: That might be difficult, because I might think that people don’t know when they do.
R: Other than this one, what is the strangest question you have ever been asked?
C: I got asked this strange question once. “What goes around the world and stays in the corner”
R: Are you on any social networking sites? If so, which ones and what are their addresses? Do you have a website? If so, what is the address? Do you have a youtube channel? If so, what is the address?
Facebook: Search for Commission
Myspace: www.myspace.co/codooublemission
Youtube: www.youtube.com/doubleaktv
Website: www.doubleakfamily.com
Twiter: www.twitter.com/blessmc and www.twitter.com/iciesworld
R: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?
C: We would just like to say a massive thank you for all your support and encouragement over the years. It has helped us to remain focused and has given us a drive to continue to do what we do. We pray that you too are encouraged in your dreams and pursuits in life and pray our music offers a glimpse of what it means to be in a relationship with God. Thank you and God Bless – Mark 10:45
R: Commission, thank you for the interview. Have a great day.
C: Thank you for this opportunity.
Tags: Christian, commission, duo, EP, london, musical, take notes
