Miss Thang
The Nigerian Idol
By: Bear Frazer
Last updated May 28th , 2009

Musical trends often come and go, but talented singers will never go out of style. With the never-ending array of reality singing competitions invading television screens all throughout the world, it's obvious the public is fascinated by regular run-of-the-mill individuals who posses the vocal ability, and look, to become a superstar. Miss Thang might not have competed on American Idol or Nigerian Idol, if it were even to exist, but this 18-year-old artist has all the tools to become the next global sensation.             

Not only does she possess the international appeal, but her name demands attention from the jump. "It makes a statement on my behalf on how serious I like to be taken," Miss Thang states. "You may not know the meaning, but something about a Miss makes you just want to respect her."             

But every idol grows up differently and Miss Thang is certainly no exception. Born Oluwaseun Ajogbeje in Lagos, Nigeria, she was the fifth of six children. Her parents provided for the family, but they struggled to make ends meet. Between that and problems at school, Miss Thang needed an escape from reality and American television programs provided that for her.             

It was a music video from Beyonce Knowles, however, that made Miss Thang want to take a stab at a career in music. "I've always been a music person, but I didn't get in the music industry until I saw Beyonce in 'Say My Name'. I kinda wondered what it would be like to be her. She seemed happy with her life, so sure and beautiful," the teenager recalls. "I was hated on in school cause of my acquired accent, which I got from watching too much TV and imitating everything I saw. I had a lot of pimples and was insecure. So I just wondered what it would be like to be her for a day. When I told my friend, she laughed at me. So that, coupled with my not being sure of my abilities, made me let got of that."             

Although the songstress was discouraged, she eventually overcame that in 2005. "I got tired of living in poverty and started looking for a way to make money," she admits.             

That same year, a friend introduced her to a local group called the Fresh Immortals Squad. After a few months, however, Miss Thang wasn't entirely feeling their direction and was looking for someone who could advance her career. Then, her friend introduced her to Kingpin, the CEO of Nigerian-based Pin Records. Suddenly, everything fell into place.             

"I could mark this as the beginning of my music career cause meeting him has made a major difference in my music career," she says. "On the day I met him I performed some of my songs and he was impressed. We did a few test recordings and about a week later, a deal was struck and I was signed to Pin Records."             

While Miss Thang is still prepping her full-length studio debut What I Came To Do, she gives the international audience a sample of her style with Swag. While the collection is brief, the three records leave the listener yearning for more. The energetic "Superstar" is a reaction as to how people are in disbelief that an 18-year-old Nigerian is entering the international market. The tasteful "Swag" is more image-conscious whereas "Blow Your Mind" details an everyday girl meeting a boy.             

Though Miss Thang is embarking on her dream, she is aware that having a successful financial career in the music industry isn't necessarily easy. In the meantime, she is keeping her brain occupied at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria where she moonlights as a student. "It's been great," she says. "I'm in my second year studying Psychology and my friends don't even know I can sing, so I'm just like every other regular student."             

It's quite obvious that this everyday student is maximizing her options. "I'm not rich yet, but life now is way better than it has ever been cause I got a some cash in my pocket," Miss Thang explains. "I'm much more secure and it can only get better, I hope."             

She's got that sophisticated swag. Rather impressive for an 18-year-old girl.  

[Tags] Feature, R&B