HOW was growing up for you?
Growing up for me was a lot of fun. I grew up in Jos, Plateau State, with my parents and my two brothers. I’m an only girl and I had a lot of love around me, a lot of attention and care. And, from a very young age, picked up music because I grew up in a house where my dad was like a music freak. He used to listen to a lot of good music. And I think that is where I picked it up from. I spent my entire life in Jos. I had my primary school, secondary school and tertiary education at the University in Jos.
Will you call yourself a tom-boy?
No, I’m not at all. (Laughs) I’ve always been a girly girl.
When did you start doing music professionally?
Professionally, I’ll say about four years ago. That’s when I moved down to Lagos. 2011. Before then, I was doing my music back in school, writing songs and all that. I learnt how to play the bass guitar along the line, learnt how to play the saxophone. And then, moving down to Lagos, I started performing at Open Mic centres like Taruwa, Freedom Hall, Freedom Park, places that gave me acceptance for my kind of music.
What was your parents’ reaction when they learnt you wanted to do music?
Initially, my parents thought it was a hobby because I was always singing, screaming in the house, disturbing people. I was always writing. Apart from writing music, I was also writing poems and all that. But when I decided to take it as a career, they supported me, especially when they saw the way I was going about it that I was really passionate about it, even to the point of relocating from the north down south.
It was because of music you relocated.
At that point, was it like they gave you their blessings?
At that point, I think they trusted me to do the right thing. Because at that point, I was just through with school and NYSC and needed to find a job, or to do my music and all that. And then, I had to pick between the two which one was working for me more than the other. But I was really passionate about music that I couldn’t just push it aside.
So, what did you study?
I studied political science from the University of Jos.
Now, you’ve been in music professionally for four years, how has your experience been like?
For me, it’s been bitter-sweet. Some days are good, some days are funny and some days are tiring. But, I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through like different management and record labels and all that. So, I’ll say it’s been challenging, it’s been great at the same time. It’s been a learning experience for me.
What informed the decision to switch from Trybe Records?
I was with Trybe Records for about two years – my contract was two years and it was time for me to move. And after Trybe, I was an independent artiste for a while before I got signed to Baseline.
Is it that you feel as an artiste that it’s best to be signed on to a record label?
Most times, it helps, especially in the aspects of finances. Doing music is not a small project. It’s a huge project. And from time to time, you’ll need support, you’ll need back-up, which most times is the financial aspect and every other thing.
So far, you’ve come up with beautiful songs that have been enjoying some air-play. Would you say the music is lucrative for you?
Yes, to an extent, it does. As I said earlier on, some days are good, some days are not good. For instance, sometimes it’s seasonal. There are some times that it is the season for celebrations, for a lot of gigs. There are times that it is season for releasing music, season for doing different things. So, there are times that it pays, there are times that it doesn’t pay. Sometimes, when it doesn’t pay, you get something extra in return, like maybe publicity and all that, if you’re not getting paid. Everything always adds up. Nothing is entirely a waste.
Now, two of your songs, ‘It’s Over’ and ‘Feeling The Feeling’, ring like personal stories. Was that the case?
I will say, basically, they are stories that people can relate to. They are stories that happen every day. People make up, people break up, different things happen. So, basically, I write about what people can relate to.
But you wrote about it. Was it a personal experience?
I don’t want to answer that. That’s why I danced around it.
You also say you write your songs. What triggers your inspiration?
Song-writing comes to me naturally. And it’s something that I’ve grown to really appreciate as a person because I can express myself. But what actually inspires my writing are the stories that happen around me, my environment, life my life, life of people that are close to me. Different things inspire my music.
As an artiste, what would you consider as your greatest asset?
I would say my voice. For me, my voice doesn’t sound like any other person’s voice. So, it’s different. And that’s a good thing for me. And also, the fact that I can play an instrument as a female artiste. It’s an asset to me.
You play the guitar and the saxophone, why did you choose, especially, the saxophone?
Growing up, I’ve always been a huge fan of jazz music. And my dad too was a huge fan of jazz music. So, I think the fact that I used to hear a lot of pure jazz music, kind of like made me want to play an instrument that sounded like stuffs I used to hear. And I think the sax has soul in it.
How about piracy? Are you scared of your music falling into the hands of piracy and you not making money?
I think every artiste in Nigeria, even for the actors in the Nollywood section, is aware that there are a lot of pirates out there. I think that’s where COSON comes in to help put checks and all that.
So, personally, you’re not that bothered?
I am bothered because I make music. Apart from the fact that I’m passionate about it, I want to make money from it. So, I don’t want someone to take my work and do whatever they want to do with it. That’s why I said there is a body that is in charge of that and we hope that as time goes on, things would get more effective.
You’ve been dropping some singles, what next?
I just dropped a single titled ‘Iwo Nikan’ and also the video. So, it’s still very fresh. The plan now is to drop another single because the album is supposed to drop this year. So, these are singles off the album. So, hopefully, I’ll drop another single by May and a video for it. And maybe another single and a couple of videos that hopefully would go viral. And there are a lot of acoustic performances. I’m going to have a very busy year.
In the industry, who are your role-models?
In terms of sound and artists that my music is similar to, I would say Corinne Bailey Rae, Lauryn Hill, India Arie. I’m also a huge fan of John Legend, Ray Charles because I listen to a lot of old music a lot of piano-based jazz and soulful music. And then in the Nigerian music industry, my role models are Asa, Bez, Waje and Tuface.
Do you think your music is getting the kind of acceptance it deserves in the country?
My music is called afro-soul and it is growing. The fan base is growing. Most times, you don’t even know you like a particular kind of music until you hear it or watch it. I would say it is growing and it is being accepted here and there. There is hope for it.
You’re a beautiful young lady and also a good artiste. You’ll have a lot of attention from the men folk. Are you single or married?
I’m single but I’m not married. That means I am not available. I’m in a relationship.
Would you want to talk about why you’re attracted to the lucky chap?
Usually, I don’t talk about my relationship because stuffs like this are just supposed to be basically about your music career but I would say that I’m very lucky.
Looking ahead, in about five years’ time, where do you picture Aramide to be?
Five years from now, I picture myself being an international artiste. And I hope that my music would have left the shores of Nigeria because I believe that my music is very international and it can cut across outside Nigeria and I see myself, hopefully my music would be what the young people would want to make reference to. Hopefully, I would have had like three albums then. My music would have blown. I don’t just do music for just the people here. I see beyond just here.
Being a star in the public eye, you’re going to have to contend with a lot of negativities that may come in different ways. Are you prepared for that?
Yes, I am. I know that a lot of the stuffs that you read are most times not true. And most of the times, it would break your heart. And most of the times, you’ll have to explain to people that are really close to you about stuffs. But I guess it comes with being in the public eye. I’m prepared for that.
