MUSIC & MOMENTS WITH EESKAY
ISSUE 8.0 MAY 2024
Credits
Interview Conducted by:
Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa,
Head of Creative/Editor, Solid Guy Magazine
Additional Credits: Ben Odikpo
Photos Credit: La Vision Afrique
Design: Mbuba Chiagozie,
Head of Design Team/Founder, Solid Guy Magazine
Q. What's the most unexpected place you've drawn inspiration from for your music?
A. One of the places I’ve drawn inspiration for my songs is swimming. It's the way you control your breath so you can float and things like that. I like that idea when recording—it helps me ease up my mind and just try to float on the beat, like levitate on it.
Q. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A. Artists I would like to collaborate with, dead or alive? Giggs, Drake, Juice WRLD, and definitely Burna Boy. I mean, Burna Boy is always a great choice.
Q. Describe a moment in your life where a personal experience heavily influenced one of your songs.
A. A moment in my life where my personal experiences influenced my music was when I left my parents' house and started sleeping on people's couches just to get what I wanted from music. All the struggles I faced just being out on my own inspired a song called "Yah! Yah! Yah!" on my first drill project, "Drill.or.Nah." Those experiences influenced that song.
Q. How do you balance staying true to your Afro-Drill roots while experimenting with new sounds and styles?
A. How do I balance Afrodrill with other genres I do? I stay true to Afrodrill because it's something I'm really good at. I have the moves and the rhythm in the bag, so I just keep going with that. At the same time, I'm also a good lyricist, so I can switch into Afrobeats, which is something everyone is doing now. But I also bring versatility by being able to do Afro, rock, or even jazz, and I can do it all twice as well.
Q. If your music could be the soundtrack to any movie or TV series, which would you choose and why?
A. If I could be the soundtrack to any TV series or movie, I'd choose "Ocean's Eleven" for a movie, and for a TV series, something like "Narcos" or "Power." Stuff like that.
Q. What's the story behind the creation of your song "Bus Go Move" and its significance to your journey as an artist?
A. The significance of my song "Bus Go Move" in my journey is that it was recorded in university. It basically says that the bus is just going to keep on moving, no matter the quality of passengers—whether they're wack or amazing, we're just going to keep it moving. It featured a friend of mine from university, Tyler.
Q. How do you see the intersection of music and social change, particularly in Nigeria?
A. The intersection of music and social change is significant. Music has always had a big impact on social life. It's central to social meetings and gatherings. Music can be used to change the narrative of society, even politically. It also helps ease the mental stress that people go through in today's society. It's had a major impact in many ways.
Q. If you could perform a concert anywhere in the world, regardless of venue limitations, where would it be and why?
A. If I could perform a concert anywhere in the world without limitations, I'd choose everywhere! There's no reason to limit it. Performing around the world would be an honor and a privilege. Some venues, like the O2 Arena, would really get people talking. My concert would be something I'd love to take around the world, like Burna Boy does. The Super Bowl would be amazing in the long run, but my concert is what I'd really want to focus on.
Q. Can you share a memorable fan encounter or interaction that left a lasting impact on you?
A. A memorable moment that impacted me was when a fan approached me during a tough time. He started singing my songs, even freestyles I didn't think anyone knew. He knew them word for word. It gave me the energy to keep going and made me realize I was moving in the right direction. It was a moment that really stuck with me.
Q. How do you navigate the challenges of maintaining authenticity in an industry that often pressures artists to conform to certain images or sounds?
A. When it comes to authenticity, I prefer doing things my way. I'm not signed to any labels; I work independently. This allows me to control my image and do things with my team in our own way. We always try to make the best of what we have, and I think we're doing pretty well.
Q. If you weren't pursuing a career in music, what other passion or profession would you pursue?
A. If I wasn’t doing music, I would still be involved in the arts. I might have dabbled in acting or continued playing basketball, which I was already doing. Creative direction and opening a record label to manage artists would also be interesting. I have a lot of entrepreneurial ideas that I could pursue. I'm an idea generator.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
A. My advice for others in this industry is to always ask questions and build connections. These connections can be crucial for success. My second piece of advice is to take no advice—figure out your own path and use your own instincts.
Q. Reflecting on your evolution as an artist since your debut in 2018, what's one thing you wish you had known then that you know now?
A. One thing I wish I knew back in 2018 when I debuted is that it's not all about talent. You also need to focus on the business side. Work as hard as possible and take advantage of every opportunity. There's no rest for the wicked, so when you get a chance, grab it. Don’t wait for others to do it for you—do it yourself and get the results.
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