WM: You just released a new single. Could you tell us about it?
A.T: It’s called ‘Ba Wasa’, Hausa for ‘no joke’, a general phrase used to express seriousness. It was released on the 16th of February along with an accompanying video. It’s very special to me because it is a deposition of sorts after a break. On it I narrate my experiences in entertainment thus far and pay tribute to close friends of mine who supported my music, but who unfortunately passed on. It’s my way of immortalising them. It’s a lead-in to my music project ‘Project 180’ which will be available for free download online. It’s a ‘thank you’ to all the people who supported and continue to support my music.
The title ‘Project 180’ is so-named because it will see me going back to the styles of sound production and songwriting that inspired me in the onset of my musical aspiration with the hope that it’ll inspire others and maybe spark the needed change in the today’s scene.
WM: Why did it take this long for a second release after your first one?
A.T: I thought I was through with music. My love for music never changed and will never change, but I was through trying to make a career out of it. I had invested so much into it, but got so little and in the process I lost my drive. I felt it was time to focus on something else and so I turned my energy towards my day job. I’m a television producer. I also began to focus more on my art as a trained painter. But music is a powerful thing. I couldn’t stop writing and composing music in my spare time; there was always someone in need of my input in their recordings or someone requesting for me to perform at their event, and I would always oblige. So this release for me is a labor of love and also my small attempt to bring back integrity into music again.
Personally, I’m sad at how music in itself doesn’t sell anymore. So now music is more or less a popularity contest. Artistes have now resorted to media-whoring. Hence the incessant show of lavish lifestyles on social media and music videos. When you listen to music fans talk about their favorite artistes it’s not about how the music touched them, rather it’s about who bought what, who wore what, or who posted what.
WM: How do you balance all the arts you practice?
A.T: Right now it’s easy for me, really, because I’m not under any pressure to create. I was taught that pressure to deliver impairs the creative process. My art and my music have always been a means of release for me and not a primary means of income.
But on the flip side, because I studied Fine Arts, I know the rudiments and fundamentals to the extent that I don’t need to be inspired before I can create a piece of art work. Same goes for the music. I have written enough music to have it down to a formula that is ready to be applied whenever needed.
One major flaw I have is my inability to multitask. If I’m doing one thing, I follow it through to completion before facing something else. So right now because of my music, my art is suffering. True confession: I haven’t held a pencil to sketch anything this year.
WM: What motivates your lyrics?
A.T: Life inspires me, as well as my desire to make any situation better.
WM: How would you describe your music?
A.T: As far as genre goes, I choose to remain ambiguous. I don’t ever want to be placed in a box. I’m a fan of so many genres and thankfully I’m also good in quite a few of them. I’m too big a student of the creative process to be subject to one discipline. As far as content goes, I’d say social commentary, narrating various scenarios through songs, lyrically-driven music.
WM: What would a visit to your studio reveal?
A.T: Complete chaos. You can actually tell if I’m creating at the moment by how disorganised my studio is. I get a kick out of seeing something beautiful being created out of a chaotic situation.
WM: What projects are you working on at the moment?
A.T: I’m putting finishing touches to a free online music project. I’m also working on my ‘Ba Wasa’ clothing line, and maybe a concert in the near future. Afterwards, hopefully I’ll get back to painting.
WM: Are you looking to do any collaborations?
A.T: Well, I can’t say. If along the way my path crosses with someone who connects with my spirit or shares the same vision with me, then definitely. But I’m not going to force a collaboration if the ‘vibe’ isn’t there.
WM: Who/what has been your greatest motivation?
A.T: That’s more of ‘what’ than ‘who.’ My greatest motivation has been that insatiable need to express myself . And in the process, touch someone’s life in a positive way. My ultimate goal has always been to be an inspiration.
WM: Why did you pick ‘Ba Wasa’ for your single and clothing line?
A.T: It’s just an affirmation of my seriousness to my art. ‘Ba Wasa,’ the song was to be taken seriously; every word was from the heart. When using ‘Ba Wasa’ in a sentence, it automatically adds emphasis to it. As for the clothing line, I feel like the logo as seen in the video would look really cool on a T-shirt, and one could add their own words to it and end it with ‘Ba Wasa.’
WM: What are your favourite themes to paint?
A.T: Nature. Celebrating nature, celebrating beauty. As far as my colour palette goes I tend to be monochromatic and isolate my colors. And because I’m stronger at drawing than at painting, I almost always outline my subjects to make them stand out more.
WM: What year was your last music release and how different was that song from this?
A.T: I released an online compilation in 2013 which consisted of songs I randomly recorded across a span of three years. It was also free for download. As far as a full album for sale, it’s been eight years. Wow. That’s a long time.
WM: Why are you not releasing an album?
A.T: An album is not that easy, especially now that it’s a major money-maker. There’s a lot more professionalism now, so services are expensive. From a proper management team, to recording, to videos, to promo to marketing, then publishing; it takes time, dedication, commitment and most of all money. I would be kidding myself if I said I can do it on my own. I would rather not release an album at all than release something that will be subpar.
Even though I’m presently in talks with a company interested in me, nothing has been made concrete yet, so I can’t make plans based on that. The ‘Project 180’ is also meant to be a teaser of what could be coming up when things pick up.
