User:M.I.A Moye/Bemsar

Bemsar Bemsar (born John Bemdoo Sar, October 4, 1976) is a Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist and music producer.

1 Early Life Born and raised in Zaria, Kaduna state, Bemsar is the first of five siblings. His father, a lecturer at the Benue State University, was once the Dean of Management Studies; and his mother, a retired civil servant, are both practicing animal farmers. He attended Mount St. Gabriel’s Secondary School, in Makurdi, sharing alumnus with other Nigerian singers, 2Face Idibia and Black Face. He went on to graduate from Benue State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Right after graduation, Bemsar spent a year working in a bank and then took up a position as marketing officer in a real estate firm. This job only lasted two months before he opted out to face his one true love, music.

2.1 Career In 1996, Bemsar recorded his first demo, which contained hip-hop songs that he wrote with encouragement from friend, rapper Rule Clean (a.k.a. RC). At the early age of six, after watching performance clips of The Jackson 5 on television, Bemsar began receiving guitar lessons from his dad. When hip hop did not pan out he turned to the instrument and channeled his musical inspirations: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Earl Klugh, Christopher Bona, Prince, Bono, Youssou N’dour, Seal, Snoop Dogg, Osibisa and Aerosmith. In 1998, Bemsar focused instead on blending these elements, taking an experimental approach and developed his own flavour of soulful rock.

2.2 Something Good Bemsar, which means, “One Who Spreads Peace” soon began to write socially conscious music and tapped into the “singer-songwriter” wave that other Nigerian artists such as Age Beeka, were embracing. However, his music did not gain recognition beyond Makurdi, Benue state, until he moved to the federal capital. This move to Abuja coincided with a turn to Christ. It was at this point in his life that he wrote “Something Good”, which is probably his most celebrated song, appearing on his debut and a remix on his sophomore.

2.3 For the Life of Me By 2005, Bemsar had fully committed to his musical pursuits, recording “Something Good” a song he wrote in 2003. “Something Good” was followed by the release of his debut album, For the Life of Me, on which it featured as the starting track. The song also spent a few weeks on Cool FM 96.9’s Abuja Top 10 Chart.

2.4 Raising Dust In 2008 his sophomore album, Raising Dust, was released. A remix of ‘Something Good’ featured on it.

3 Other projects 3.1 Writing Bemsar always maintained interest in writing, starting with a book aged 10, which he promptly abandoned when he ran out of ideas and also because he lacked the basic know-how. In 1994, he tried his hand at writing fiction again, usually, during work hours (he worked as a clerk in a provision store). His short stories came to the attention of Rule Clean, a much older rapper, who suggested Bemsar try writing music lyrics. Apart from writing his own songs, he wrote for the defunct record label, Impact Records; and for pop singer Kween. His latest songwriting endeavour is “Change for Life”, a song he collaborated on with gospel artist, Mo; and his own track, “Let’s Hear It (for Nigeria)”. After a lengthy break from non-lyrical writing, in 2007, Bemsar began work on two books – one, a book of essays, and the other, poetry. He is still working on them. In 2008, he maintained a column in an Abuja publication, City Bulletin for four months, when the paper shut down.

3.2 Advocacy Bemsar’s involvement in youth advocacy projects includes Heroes 217, an awareness drive focused on providing role models for young people. He also took part in the ‘Abuja Collabo’ Project, a campaign aimed at encouraging voting during Nigeria’s 2011 national elections [(http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/x2/5627900-147/in_one_voice___.csp).]

4 Discography 4.1 Writing Credits Raising Dust (album) 2005 For the Life of Me (album) 2008 “Let’s Hear It (for Nigeria)” (single) 2010 “Change For Life” (song on collaboration album, Be the Change, with various artists)

4.2 Voice Credits “Say Yes” (written by T-Kross) for ‘Abuja Collabo’ Project 2010

5 See Also 5. 1 References Bob Marley Remembered, NEXT On Sunday, Sunday, May 10, 2009 A Duo Like Never Before, This Day, April 12, 2009 Celebrity, Schools ‘n’ More, Issue 1 Bem Sar Raises Dust, People’s Monthly, July 2009 Profile: Something Good, The Road Newspaper, September 6, 2010

5.2 External Links 

[http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Books/5504215-146/All_eyes_on_Eugenia_Abu_.csp ]

Background Information Birth name: John Bemdoo Sar Born: October 4, 1976 Zaria, Kaduna State Origin: Ushongo, Benue State Genres: Soft rock, acoustic rock Occupation: singer-songwriter, record producer, columnist Instruments: Guitar, vocals Years active: 1996 – Labels: Purple Rice Website: [www.bemsar.com]