“I am God’s artiste. I’ve been floating on God’s grace“, Kehinde admits in an exclusive interview with Album Talks.
Kehinde Abayomi, is a fast rising Afrobeats act who is popularly known for his fusion of contemporary Afrobeats with traditional elements of Fuji and Apala. With his foot well steeped and comfortable in the industry, Kehinde continues to drop great tracks that has showed that he is ready to take the big step to the next level. There is more than enough reasons to show he is the new rave to look out for.
He has been in perilous form since the beginning of the year with the release of ‘Dem Ah Chat‘ and his latest club banging single ‘Hennessy‘ released some days ago, he continues to solidify his stance as one of the unique and talented act in the Nigerian industry.
On this piece, our correspondent sits down with the calm Kehinde for a quick chat as we talk about different topics from his musical influences, charting his career so far and his plans for the future.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Kehinde.
A: I’m an artiste in every sense of the world, I’m God’s artiste. I mean regardless of all the process and other factors, everything about me including my art still give glory to God and believe in what He can do. From the beginning till this moment, I have been floating on God’s grace.
Q: That’s great . Tell us about how your music career started, the early influences you had.
A: The early influences I had came solely from my Dad. He was a big fan of local scene at the time, and honestly, he had literally all the cassettes of any Fuji artist. He loved Wasiu Ayinde, King Sunny Ade, Tope Alabi. I grew up listening to Fuji and Gospel music coupled with the western music influences mostly from Michael Jackson. I can say that has shaped my music taste till date and played a big influence on my sound as an artiste.
A: So, I always had a thing for music since I was a kid. This kept going until I got to the University. Back then, there was a guy who regularly uploads his beat to Soundcloud. At the time, I’ve been on his neck for beats but he refused, so when I came across his beat on Soundcloud, I did a freestyle and I really ate the beat up. I did write it down, so when I got back, I recorded it and that’s how I made my first song.
A: It’s funny how I made my first song in a University dormitory. I went on recording songs because I was in a space where I had so many contents to let out. So after recording, I put my songs on Twitter and other social media to sensitize my circle and glory be to God it just kept on expanding since then. I never stopped, mixtapes and EPs.
Q: When you made your first single, what was it like ?
A: The feeling was amazing, I wanted to do more. Fun fact is, I did not start music thinking I wanted to be a great Afrobeats artiste. I started music based on the results I saw. I wanted to just take a new thing I figure out to the next level. It’s worked for me so far and that’s the mentality I have till date.
Q: Great. Your journey has really been a long and inspiring one. What are the major problems you’ve encountered so far including the ones you’re faced with now at this level of your artistry?
A: I honestly can’t say, whatever we do in life, there is always something to overcome. So I try not to focus on the details of the possible obstacles in this music business, but instead focus on the fact that I have to overcome that phase of life.
Q: Oh, so you do not see anything as an obstacle. You just see it as a phase that needs to be done with ?
A: Exactly
Q: So your last single is a fusion of contemporary and traditional African Pop sounds . How do you feel about selling to the audience something unique? Does it motivate you in any way ?
A: Yes it definitely does, I believe it has not fully sunk in yet but I still have so much in the works, and I know that it will translate well to the audience so that they can have a favourable perception about me.
Q: You have so much confidence in your art, and it’s something admirable. Have you ever thought of changing your sound at some point or maybe later in the future?
A: I have never thought of a change of sound, no. Although, I do plan to do gospel music at some point.
Q: Wow, that would be great. You would really fit into the gospel sonic easily considering your vocals. Have you thought of a collaboration with any gospel artiste?
A: I don’t know about all that, but when I do, I’d be doing it purely to serve and not for commercial purposes.
Q: So what genres of music or figures inspire you ?
A: I love every type of music, there’s always something to learn. My inspirations comes from my early influences and some of those in the game doing it better now.
Q: So, should we expect any new release soon, maybe a lengthy body of work ?
A: Yes, currently, I have a lot of potentially big songs on my hands, that’s all I can say at the moment. The album is already in the works and I even tattooed it on my body.
Q: Wow, your confidence is enthralling. So any features locked in we should expect ? or someone you plan to work with for the album?
A: I can’t reveal any information about that yet. Just expect something big. I’ll definitely make sure AlbumTalks gets the scoop first.
Tap into Kehinde’s latest single ‘Hennessy’ here.
