Veteran Nigerian singer Chinagorom Onuoha, popularly known as African China, has revealed that his career in conscious music once put his life in serious danger.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Beer Parlor Talk podcast, the “Mr President” crooner said his activism-driven songs attracted hostility from security operatives and street groups during the peak of his early career.
According to him, the pressure and threats he faced forced him to learn self-defense and adopt survival tactics.
“I am a black belter. During my time, you need to know how to fight to survive in the music industry. I was not just learning martial art but also engaged in voodoo to protect myself,” he said.
African China explained that he was frequently targeted by police, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), and area boys, adding that constant threats made him live in fear.
“My life was in danger because I was making conscious music. I was running from police, OPC and area boys. Informants also helped me escape constant threats,” he added.
He also claimed that during performances, some OPC members attempted to confront him, but audience members often alerted him in advance, allowing him to avoid attacks.