‘ I Make Music From My Comfort Zone’
You released your debut album earlier this year. What actually inspired the messages on that album?
Booless
I’m a musician and I would say that I found my heart, thinking and thoughts. I was just making songs and songs; I didn’t really choose the message, but I guess when I was putting it together, it came off as a love album. That’s my truest self; I wasn’t struggling to make the music, I just let it flow.
Boo of The
How did you arrive at the title
Booless?
You could say the body of work was trying to be a representation of all facets of feelings that you go through. Generally, what we were trying to say was, ‘ look, no matter what you are going through, somebody understands you. This project is there for you, by being the boo of those, who are boo- less.’
So, looking into your creative process, how would you describe your sound?
I love my music; I think my music is genuine; it’s pure. Mostly, I believe my music to be true. Also, when I do the acceptability survey of my music, I found out that every 7 out of 10 people are able to connect with it; that’s a high number for me. I’m impressed with
Chike
that.
So, if you are adjudged as a love singer, would that be correct?
I would say most of my contents that have been out, predominantly, are around love. So, I would understand if somebody gets that impression. Let’s see how it goes. I mean, I have other body of works coming out; let’s just see where it goes.
How do you start out making your music, how long does it take you?
I think and I imagine. Then, for stuff that brings out emotions when I am writing – instruments like the guitar or piano – once I hear it, I can finish a song in an hour or less. Once I hear those instruments… those
POPULAR Afro- Rnb singer, Tiwatope Savage, better known as Tiwa Savage, has released her first single off her forthcoming third studio album, Celia.
Titled Dangerous Love, the 3minute Cracker Mallo- produced song, which is also Tiwa's first official single for the year, sees singer professing love to a man, while acknowledging her perceived risks of the relationship. are my favourite instruments, mostly strings. So, I imagine stories. Sometimes, I even try not to imagine too deep, so as not to make the music too niche. I try to stay on the surface sometimes. In the end, it all turns out well.
I see you are experimental with sound, how do you pick the producers you work with?
So far, for the producers I have worked with, it wasn’t about picking; it was about working with those I could work with. It wasn’t like an option- filled basket. It was more like, ‘ Hello, this is what I’m trying to do; this is what I think about the music. If you share the same beliefs, then let’s work together.’ I was able to
The former Mavins act ( now with UMG) has also announced that her new album, Celia, would be released this year. However, she has not stated the release date for the project, which fans have anticipated since her last compilation project, an extended playlist dubbed Sugarcane.
From her days as a backup singer to George Michael and Mary J. Blige, the ' 49- 99' singer has created a hit- based discography that has attracted global recognition and deals to her.
The mother of one relocated to London at 11 and returned to Nigeria, in 2012, to pursue a music career.
She signed a publishing deal with Sony/ ATV Music Publishing in 2009. Three years after, in 2012, she signed with Mavin Records.
In June 2016, Tiwa signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation, while in May 2019, she announced her record deal with Universal Music Group and exit from Mavin Records.
I’m happy you yourself said that it is more of an Afro pop content. Here is why I ‘ m happy you said that, earlier in the interview, you also spoke about diversity and the style of music. So, I was able to show you that that was possible. But I always say that I make music that I’m happy about making at the time; it’s dependent on how I feel at the time. I’m happy to have made you see that an Afro Pop jam ( from me) is possible. So, you won’t be surprised if I have another pop record.
You tend to always colour melodies with Igbo language and culture, is there an agenda or a movement behind that?
Typically, as human beings, we are more comfortable when we speak our language. So, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary in speaking my language in my music. I remember I told you that I was making music in my comfort zone. Basically, if I talk, I talk in Igbo. I talk in English ( and) I talk in Hausa, sometimes – although a little bit – and I talk in vernacular. So, It means I can make music in all these languages. For me, having the Igbo touch in my music wasn’t anything stressful; a lot of that would still happen.
It seems you are picky with the artistes you collaborate with, how do you arrive at those you work with?
For me, when I hear a good music most times and in my head I know that I can sound good with this person or this person can sound good with me, I reach out. To me, it doesn’t get more complex than that. But you know that when you reach out, you are able to work with some people and you might not be able to work with some people. I have worked with those I have been able to work with and I have moved on.
Name three Nigerian artistes you would like to collaborate with right now?
I like Tems; I have always imagined what it would sound like, just for the sake of it. I like Flavour; I feel that if I wanted to do a track that is mostly spoken in Igbo language, Flavour would be a good collaboration. Also, it is to be able to learn what he is doing. The third would be Kiss Daniel.
On the business side of your music, you have been without a record label since 2016, what’s the reality like for you?
The reality is pretty much of learn, work, learn, work. We are learning as we go and we are putting what we are learning into practice; it leaves room for error. It gives room for us to be able to imagine and be whatever we want to be because we are providing those services for ourselves.
Any other specific perks and challenges?
There is room for error; there are people, who have done this before me. So, with us doing this by ourselves, we are prone to mistakes and it takes time to remedy; time that you might never really get back. I guess at the end of it, it is all right.
How do you cope financially?
We are coping. Whatever we can’t afford, we don’t go for. It is just sustaining ourselves for the moment.
So, are you open to being signed by any record label at the moment?
That’s not a priority right now. So far, we are doing a good job. If we are able to get people, who share our beliefs and are able to add to what we are trying to do, then sure we don’t mind working with other people.