Interview conducted by: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu @agozieee_
Images Credit: Droxx
Q. Can we get to know you?
A. My name is Droxx. I’m a Nigerian Rapper/Singer & Songwriter
Q. Can we know the inspiration behind your stage name?
A. Lol Droxx has more of a symbolic meaning than a literal one, for me it’s an embodiment of everything that makes me who i am, impulsivity, tactfulness and tenacity.
I’d like to believe it’s a divine name, it kinda just came to me like a manifestation when i opened my first soundcloud account at the age of 15 tryna upload some freestyles i had just recorded on my phone
Q. Can you tell us about your musical background and how you got started in the industry?
A. I started from writing raps at 14 in class, battle rapping classmates, performing at social events in secondary school, I recorded my first song when i was in 100lvl in uni, 2014/15 and over the years i was able to build something of a cult following back in uni, thats where it all started,school shows/events, concerts. i was a professional model for a while up until 2018,then i was back on the scene as a duo with Slimsyxx, we called ourselves D.S.6 and went to release loads of music together, it’s a union that has birthed many classics and cemented it’s name on the walls of contemporary Nigerian Hip hop
Q. What was your first ever single?
A. It was titled “TRIGGAH”, released in 2015
Q. Who or what are some of your biggest influences when it comes to creating music?
A. Lil wayne, Eminem, Skepta
Q. If I may ask, what is your genre of music?
A. 234Drill / Afro-Hiphop or Rap fusion, because it’s primarily Rap and there’s some elements of every other thing, Grime,fuji,Apala and afrobeats all in there.
Q. What has been your most memorable performance or gig and why?
A. I’ve had a lot memorable stage performances but it’s gotta be D.S.6 Deuces 2.0 concert in 2019. It was the 2nd edition of a concert for me and Slimsyxx which started the year prior, bigger location than the previous year, bigger stage, we had about 300 people in attendance and it was honestly just a night to remember, an experience that only described as magical for an artist with my background, just sits very dear in my heart, having actual supporters raving with you, screaming your own lyrics back at you just gives you a confidence boost that could last a lifetime.
Q. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Where do you draw inspiration from?
A. To be honest i draw inspiration from anything, could be a sound i heard a little kid make while walking past me in the morning or a conversation i had later in the day with my mum and really just everyday life happenings around me to be honest
A lot of my music actually tell real life experiences, I just like to make it fun and enjoyabe while still staying on topic
The important thing to me is you feel good hearing it, you’re bopping your head back n forth, you’re dancing! You hear a lyric and instantly relate with it and you hold on to that for life.
Q. How has your music evolved over the years and what do you hope to achieve with your upcoming releases?
A. In My early works there was a lot of experimenting i was doing a little bit of everything, Afro swing, trap, alte etc. Then around 2018/19 I gravitated more towards grime and drill and focused on creating a sound around that genre that gives raw Nigerian experience.
I started releasing music again as Droxx in 2020, Officer was my first track, it was a collaboration with Mo’gunz, instant banger,already went viral off a twitter snippet
Top 100 on the Deezer charts Nigeria when released, became an #Endsars anthem during the protests,numerous co signs, a don jazzy nod even, it was only peak from there for us. By the end of the year i should have almost a 100 songs across all credits(plus features and all songs released under D.S.6) in my discography.
With my upcoming releases i just hope to continue breaking barriers and make seemingly impossible things possible.
Q. How do you engage with your fans and build a strong relationship with them?
A. Social media basically, it has always been a vital took for me, networking and building has always been a early strategy for me, i had already amassed quite a following and had some online presence from my early modeling days and back when i was in uni, networking has always been easy for me, i leveraged social media a lot.
Q. As a rookie artiste in the industry what challenges have you faced?
A. As an independent artist, Funding happens to be the biggest challenge to be honest, getting the music to the people because it’s very expensive, there’s a huge disconnect between the music, the artists and the fans who actually yearn for music like ours, we are breaking barriers everyday still. Somehow it will get to them, i very much believe.
Q. How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue creating music, especially during times of writer’s block or creative challenges?
A. Whenever i have a creative block i usually just take a breather and do other stuff like see a movie, meditate or go for a walk. My creative block usually don’t last tho lol
I hardly run out of things to sing about and i stay motivated by just setting goals and working towards achieving them step by step. The fun is in the journey and I’m dedicated to seeing it through.
Q. What artistes would you love to work with in the future
A. Rema, Skepta, Burna Boy, Olamide, Reminisce, J hus.