"I want to change the obsession with the similar-sounding "commercial" music", singer declares

Yela who draws creative spirit from a number of top international acts including Florence Welch, Lilly Allen, Darey, Labrinth and Marina & the Diamonds first released his debut single ‘Dance with me’ in 2014.

But a lot has changed since then. The singer has left the comfort of Abuja, and like many others before him journeyed to Lagos, the Nigeria music industry boiling pot, where he aims to take the path well-travelled to stardom.

That quest for growth and fulfillment has gave birth to his debut project, “Gidi and The Undertow” EP. A seven track EP packed with non-conformist sounds, Yela still maintains that glitzy, real, fresh and unadulterated sound that shows character and individualism.

He talks to Pulse Music about life, his music  and his creative processes.

How did music start for you?

When I think about it, music started for me with my parents. Mum always got these compilation tapes that had Whitney, new edition, Bolton Michael and Mariah and a whole lot of gospel and she would always play it in the house and car. My dad had these vinyl records from the eighties and I would just sing along to everything I heard. I joined the main choir of my Baptist church when I was 9 and was always a part of a choir even after college. I think I knew I wanted to sing professionally when I was fifteen and I started collecting all these records and just listening to music as well as singing was basically pure bliss for me.

You describe yourself as a ‘Afro – Fusion, RnB artiste’. I’m sure you understand my confusion here. Please explain more.

It's not meant to confuse. I'll break it down. It's "Afrocentric" alternative R&B fusion. Afrocentric because as a son of the soil, everything I do, no matter how far left I choose to go, will always have fundamental African elements. "Alternative R&B" because I'm not a soul singer but there is always that element to all my record which is never premeditated but for some reason, is a part of the "Yéla sound", whatever that is. Finally, "Fusion" because I'm fundamentally an experimentalist in that I grew up on diverse musical sounds and genres so those elements always come to play whenever I'm creating. Limiting myself to just a few elements would never cut it because that just would not be me, truly.

Let’s talk about your recently released EP (Gidi + The Undertow) what a distinct title. Tell me about it.

Well the name basically is a representation of two years in Lagos. It's a collection of experiences, lessons and inspirations that somewhat matured and redefined my art, in a sense. "Gidi" represents Lagos, in all its greatness while "The undertow" is more of the breed of artists I identify with in Lagos. The title is basically me paying a homage to Florence Welch of the indie band, Florence + the Machine.  My style is quite different from hers but I identify with her out of the box approach to music, the choral element also strongly speaks to my creativity as well. I wanted the EP to be a reflection of my ability to encapsulate different sounds, moods and emotions. Location and art collide. The title is a reflection of that.

The first single off the EP ‘Boxes’ was recently released and it’s such a powerful song. Tell us more about the message behind it

Thank you, I had finished the whole EP after months of creating a mood board and basically five days for just creating music non-stop. At the end of that, I listened to all the songs I had written and recorded and I just felt it lacked a certain element. Two weeks later, I was watching the FOX TV series EMPIRE and Alicia keys was playing this character that was a pop star but wanted so badly " .... To not be put in a box" then it hit me, a sound and an idea and two days later, Boxes was created.

"Boxes" is this song about getting out of chaotic and controlling relationship but fundamentally it's a stand against conformity, in numerous ways.

 As an upcoming act and an alternative act, how would you describe your experience so far in Nigeria’s music industry?

It's not been easy but I'm doing what I love so even if I'm not feeling some parts of it, my passion will not let me give it up. I eat, drink and sleep music. I'm still very small scale so I cannot give an extensive report of the industry but I'm happy because I have a willing audience in the industry who are open to something different from the norm. It's inspires me to create great records because I know that people will appreciate it,

If you were able to change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

I would definitely change the obsession with the similar sounding "commercial" music. We live in a country where people love and listen to alternative indie artists. Our palette is so diverse but we limit ourselves to fast pumping sounds, which is, don't get me wrong, amazing in itself but the truth is we don't always want to dance. Sometimes we want to cry, we want to reminisce, we want to feel a million different things.

After Gidi + The Undertow, what next?

I would love to record a full length album, fully supported by a record label or real sponsorship of some sorts as well as a supporting tour to fully and effectively promote the music because let's be honest, if I make an earth shattering record but nobody hears it, it's for nothing so world domination is definitely key. As many ears as are willing.