Behind The Booth With Black Culture
(Dec. 2024 Edition)
Interview conducted by: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)
Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)
Photo credit: Black Culture
Q. Your name, Black Culture, feels powerful and deeply rooted. What inspired you to choose it, and how does it reflect your artistry?
A. Initially, “Black culture” belonged to an old friend of mine who died in a motorbike accident. Taking on the name is me carrying on a legacy that finds the perfect balance between western music and African culture.
Q. Can you tell us about the early days of your journey? What drew you to music production, and what were the biggest challenges you faced starting out?
A. I started playing the piano classically from a young age. I wouldn't exactly say I was forced, but coerced by my parents. Eventually I developed a strong love for music. I decided to go into making beats and people around me were amazed by the stuff I made, it was shocking.
I decided to take it a step further and here we are.
My biggest challenge was trying to find my feet in the music industry and developing a sound that best describes Black Culture.
Q. You’ve co-produced songs like 5am In Ojo with Pheelz. Can you walk us through the creative process behind that track? How did you and Pheelz balance your styles?
A. This collaboration was crazy. It was new for me cause i had not exactly done stuff like that before. It was challenging and I loved every step of the way. Pheelz and I are very musical people with good ears so balancing our styles can never be a problem.
Q. Your joint project with Yimeeka, INÒ, is packed with unique sounds. How did this collaboration come about, and what was your goal for the project?
A. Lanre Masha is the sole pioneer of this link up. From the first day we met and the first session we had yimeeka and I knew we had something special and there is only more to come!
The goal for this project was to show the world the beauty of our African culture, how our music transcends beyond afrobeats into the world of afro house.
Q. What’s your go-to setup in the studio? Any equipment or tools you can’t live without?
A. I think the only tool I cannot live without is my mind.
Q. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
A. My biggest musical influence is Black coffee, i watch him everyday and learn from him, he showed me how less could be perceived as more.
I also got influenced by the likes of Quincy Jones , Dr. Dre, Avicii, Marshmallow etc. growing up.
Q. Behind every track is a story. Which of your works holds the most personal significance, and why?
A. I think the work that holds the most personal significance right now is Ota. Solely because of the story the track conveys, It's very personal to me.
Maybe one day we would revisit that.
Q. Your music seems to connect deeply with listeners. What message or emotion do you aim to convey through your work?
A. I see myself as not just a producer but an artiste. An artist whose paint brush in this case is music. From the percussion to the subtle melodies to the hard hitting baselines , I aim to paint a picture in the minds of people,make them feel whichever emotion i felt while the track was made.
Q. What’s a typical day like for you in the studio? Any rituals or habits that help you get into the zone?
A. I really do not have any rituals or any habits, I'm a next level introvert so being in my space alone is enough!
Q. Collaboration is key in music. Who are some artists or producers you dream of working with in the future?
A. Where would I actually start from?
Black coffee definitely, &friends, Nitefreak, The weekend, Kleinmusik, Kygo, Martin garrix etc.
Always dreamt of working with Quincy Jones , may his soul rest in peace.
Q. We’re curious: what’s the most surprising or funny thing that’s happened while working on a project?
A. Welllllll my Laptop crashed and I lost every single thing I had worked on for a year plus.
It's funny now but it wasn't at the time LMAO
Q. The music industry is increasingly global. How do you see Nigerian music and your unique sound resonating internationally?
A. It's amazing how the afrobeats industry is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
There’s so much we can be and so much more we can do and I'm excited to see it.
Black culture has always been a global sound trust me you’d see.
Q. What’s next for Black Culture? Any upcoming projects or surprises you can share with your fans?
A. I’m not meant to talk about this yet but i have a project (Roots & Rhythm) dropping Q1 2025,
I’m not going to describe it but it is so fireeeee even I am shocked by it. More details would be dropped.
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