Artist profile - Chicco Martino: “Love is the key to all beautiful things in the world...” |18 May 2017
Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of arts.
In our sixteenth profile, readers will learn more about the talented young singer, Francesco Azemia Martino AKA Chicco Martino.
Interesting fact about Chicco is that he has got two surnames, one from his mum and the other from his dad.
He is married to Chardrine Azemia Martino, and they have a son called Jamaal Azemia Martino.
It has been a while since we heard Chicco, but recently he was on stage as part of celebrations of Elijah’s 25th anniversary in the music industry.
He is reputed for songs such as Akoz Ou, Pour Touzour, Avek Ou among others.
Currently Chicco is working on a new single to officially mark his comeback in the music industry.
Q: When did you start your career as a singer?
A: I wrote my first song in 2002, but officially I started recording in 2005, releasing singles.
Q: For how long have you been away from the music industry, and why?
A: I have been away from the music industry for at least three years. I was in a transitory spiritual phase trying to find my spiritual belief, so I had to put my music career on pause. Also I was becoming a father, for the first time, so I had to make time for my family and become an exemplary father figure.
Q: Will you consider yourself a singer or entertainer?
A: Tobe honest I consider myself a singer, but a singer can also be an entertainer, but entertaining is another thing. I am also an author, and music producer.
Q: What’s your motto you live by?
A: The motto I live by is Love; Love is the key to all beautiful things in the world. Since I started my career I’ve been singing only about Love, it is the key to everything in life.
Q: How do you overcome negative comments from society?
A: When people criticise, they are able to see something that you can’t see; those negative remarks will allow you to do better work. So I always turn the negative comments into positive ones, that will help me improve.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favourite part about the process?
A: I draw my inspiration from God, all my lyrics and melodies come from above. My first inspiration is love, so I am able to deliver because of love.
Q: Recently you were on stage, what do we expect from Chicco?
A: Recently I was on stage after three years. Do not expect any album from me soon, but I will soon have a single for all my fans, and more singles throughout the year. I am also working on a collaboration album, which will also be out soon.
Q: Who have influenced your musical talents?
A: I was not inspired by anyone, I just woke up one day and realised that I wanted to start singing, but maybe it was friends or other artists I heard that started this flame in me. My everyday life also influenced me to become the person I am today.
Q: Studio work or performing live, which of these do you prefer and why?
A: Ilike both, because they complement each other. When you are in the studio, you need to be able to perform it to record it. On stage you have more excitement with all your fans, it is where you entertain people.
Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist?
A: Frankly, I realise that it is something that is already in me, but I believe the way I create my music makes me different. I am able to mix different kinds of music that only Chicco is able to deliver. So the way I present my music, makes it unique in Seychelles.
Q: If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
A: If I was not singing, I would be in the construction industry. I did two years at the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT), where I got a diploma in construction. So today I have realised that I need to do both, construction and singing.
Compiled by U.J.