I hope this EP touches people in a good way. The feeling of someone listening to my music and it helps them get on with their day is what I hope, pray and expect.
– No1Again.
There are so much promising underground acts currently roaming the industry looking for the right opportunity or trying to create a good song to throw them into the stratosphere of popularity. However, each acts have their distinctive qualities, but what sets No1Again apart from his peers is his patience to properly craft good songs and carefully build his discography which when considered, is a solid one so far.
No1Again no doubt has been on the rise since his debut in 2020 and in subsequent release, especially on “Money Chronicles“, he has proved over time that he deserves all the hypes and plaudits he gets. With the recent release of his debut EP titled “Turbulent Lover“, all eyes were fixed on this burgeoning act with a red-hot expectations on what he has to offer.
In the wake of it’s release, we were able to catch up with No1Again and discuss about a handful of interesting topics. Dig in to get familiar with No1Again, also known as Niko Marvel by some sect.
A-T: Give us a little introduction about yourself.
NO1: I go by the name No1Again, my full name is Ochuko Nikoro. Originally from Delta State, but for a long time now, I’ve been living in the United Kingdom. Although, my early days were spent in Nigeria, plus I did all of my basic schooling in the country before I moved overseas. Those time seems like a long time ago, I could remember doing boarding house in Benin, a school called “Word Of Faith”, really interesting days if you ask me.
A-T: Your early times seems so exciting, it would be nice if you could share more of it with us.
NO1: Growing up in Nigeria was fun, cause I had my family with me and at that point that was all that mattered to me because I just wanted to be happy regardless of all that happens around me. It was fun really. I can’t forget the moments I had with my brothers, I had four brothers and we are five in total and it was nice to see how we pushed ourselves to good extent.
A-T: You definitely had a flare for music from your early stage for you to be here as an artist today, tell us about how you found music making as something you’d like to engage in and some of those stars that inspired you.
NO1: Let me start with those influences. Back then, I listened to a lot of musical groups and it jokingly it coincides with the time they were the rave of the moment. Although, I payed more attention to my favorite and then say “I want to be llke this when I grow”. So I listened to a lot of Styl-Plus, Backstreet Boys, P Square, Westlife and also 2 Face. That’s it basically. I loved their music and no doubt inspired by them.
NO1: So about finding myself musically, I had always wanted to sing actually and even my mom always encouraged me. She always told me that I got a nice voice for studio recording and she literally pushed me. Although, at the time, I could understand and relate with why she believes that, but I just wasn’t ready. However, when I lost my mom in 2019 and everything changed, I decided to take music serious. Maybe that was the push but when I released my debut song titled Pain/Sweet Loving in 2020, I started to find my feet musically.
A-T: How has it been since your first delve into music?
NO1: ( takes a long smile ) this music thing ehn, nobody warned me. Making music is actually the easiest part of it, the rest don’t get easy at all. To be fair, the “upcoming part” ain’t easy and everyone would agree with me as regards that. But I’m blessed because I have met a lot of amazing people in this industry that have helped me on my journey; like my family from Album Talks, and other industry people. Most times, the biggest problem upcoming face is support because people don’t care when they feel neglected which is understandable, but I’m blessed to have people around me that cares which is what matters to me the most, and an angel who watches me from up there. My mum always said patience is a virtue, I believe everybody got their own time, and mine is coming.
A-T: Interesting. Well, I listened to your song Money Chronicles. You really had a great song on your hand. How much did the song mean to you ?
NO1: My music is basically my life. Some might think I just sing but it is really like an escape for me as that is the only place you hear me speak my truth. Money Chronicles is like a reminder to myself that no matter what, no matter the kind of relationship/friendship you have, money changes people.
Listen to No1Again’s debut EP “Turbulent Lover”
A-T: Let’s talk about the new EP, Turbulent Lover. What was recording process like, did you have a planned out direction before you started recording or it just came together in the process?
NO1: So I have always had plans to release an EP but did not know when. Just over a year ago I was in a really bad place mentally, but since that period till now, it has been the best time in my life and I wanted the EP to show that. I actually started recording a year ago. All through, everything I could think about was women and love because that’s genuinely how I was feeling. Love is a big thing for me because that’s what mama has always shown me and taught me, I wanted this EP to show no matter what you going through, Love conquers all. But the title Turbulent Lover, it explores the fact that some people no matter how much you show them love, they might not always reciprocate it, but that don’t stop you from being you.
A-T: The EP contains four tracks. You could have opted for a five to six tracks long LP, but you did not. What was the decision behind that?
NO1: I wanted the people to take me in, take my sound in and get familiar with it. This is what I’m bringing and what I can offer. There’s a lot more though, but here we are and this is us, accept or accept (smiles) because you definitely cannot reject good music.
A-T: Do you have a favourite off the EP or just one particular track you’d like us to really tune to ?
NO1: Trenches Love. I love that record cause it’s not just a song, it’s contains an important message which i feel a lot of people can relate to the lyrics cause it’s our everyday life. No matter what we do, we will be always get judged by others, but we forget is only God has the final say. That’s why I don’t care what they say, I just focus on my grind.
A-T: Share some of your expectations with us concerning this EP.
NO1: I hope this EP touches people in a good way. The feeling of someone listening to my music and it helps them get on with their day is what I hope, pray, and expect this EP does. That is really the ultimate aim.
A-T: Good. What’s the aim going forward as an artist?
NO1: I want to release as much songs as possible,. This is my life now and I’m embracing it. My music tells a story. We got a lot of stories to tell, and hopefully, sooner rather than later, the people that needs to hear my music will get hold of it.
A-T: Tell us some artists you’d like to work with.
NO1: I would love to work with Mr Eazi, that is a dream collab. Also Zinoleesky, that is a cold man.
Listen to No1Again’s debut EP “Turbulent Lover”
