My music career would have been still fine without Ed Sheeran – Fire Boy now says
Just how did you meet Ed Sheeran for Peru hit collabo?
This is something that happened naturally; it was organic. He first listened to the song that I had released solo and reached out to me. It was more than collaboration for me, but was a bridge that we built for the African international artists.
What does that collaboration mean to your career?
Whether the collaboration happened or not, my career would have still progressed. I want to focus more on what it means for African music. When Ed approached me and shared his interest in doing the collabo, the first thing that came to mind is what it would mean for Afrobeat and African music. So, it’s about gaining the momentum on where African music will be in the next five years or so.
Is it true that you wrote the song while tipsy?
Ha-ha-ha… First of all, I will urge everyone to drink responsibly! I would not advocate for that. Yes, I was stressed up from a trip after a long flight, so I had to get a bit tipsy. I was in a very jovial mood. And that is when the lyrics came up and the rest is history.
Do you have a specific writing process?
My normal style of writing music is to take time even when the melodies come to my head, but writing Peru was an outstanding experience. I was bossed: I was in the mood. I just got into the booth and the beat was easy to jump into. For barely 45 minutes I was through with recording—the shortest time I have ever taken to record a song. I wanted to touch on the lyrics later, but Olamide told me to leave it that way, and I am glad I did.
Who is your favourite Kenyan artiste and should we expect a collaboration with them?
Sorry to say that I don’t have a favourite here, but I do listen to a lot of Kenyan music including songs by Bensoul, Nviiri and Sauti Sol. I am familiar with their music and I think that there should be a collaboration with Sauti Sol at some point.
You had a successful time during the Covid-19 pandemic, with some of your singles such as Vibration topping the charts. How has that influenced your career?
At that time when all the attention in the world had shifted to fighting the pandemic, I was working on my second studio album Apollo; the first one Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was already out. Covid-19 slowed things, so I could not go on tour to hype the album. But I think the pandemic gave people more time to listen to the album and that is when its songs performed so well. I wouldn’t say I am grateful for the pandemic, but it gave me more creative time to work on the kind of music I wanted for the album. The album was special because, in the majority of the songs, I have talked about my story, unlike in the others where I have told other people’s stories.
Which countries have you had the best experience in while on a music tour?
My favourite performance has been the most recent tour in the United States in February this year where I performed in 13 states. The support that I got there was excellent. I have also had an amazing time in East Africa, particularly Tanzania. I have performed there three times and every bit has been memorable. It gave me the taste of what I was expecting to experience in Kenya and that is why I was looking forward to coming here. It felt good right from the time I landed. I am having a good time being here for the first time.
Afrobeat has always been one of the music genres that define our African music style globally. What do you think are the secrets behind the rise of Afrobeat?
In our case, we don’t refer to it as Afrobeat, but African Music since our fans in the whole African continent give us equal support. It is the biggest inspiration to us. I am glad to be part of this generation of music where African artistes are making waves by breaking boundaries including getting international nominations and awards, performing in international concerts and getting on the Billboard. What we are trying to achieve now will influence the generations that will come after us. Now we are devouring the fruits of the ones that came before us.
Which Afrobeat musician have you been looking up to?
Of course, there are many but Wande Coal has always stood out, as he is remarkably the person that his music style inspired me. He is the one that changed the style of Afrobeat, as initially, Afrobeat was popular for having percussion and drums, but he brought so much soul to it and it inspired my style where it is not just about dance, but the intention for you to feel and listen.
Are you taken or single and searching?
(Chuckles) I am single. On searching, that is debatable.
