Nigerian singer and songwriter, Seyi Vibez has discussed his rise to commercial success, the inspiration behind his music, and his decision to launch a label.
Seyi Vibez has enjoyed commercial success since breaking into the mainstream in 2022 with his hit single ‘Chance’, thanks to his eclectic blend of traditional genres and mainstream elements.
In a recent interview with Apple Music Africa Now Radio’s Nandi Madiba.
Seyi Vibez had a busy year in 2023, releasing more projects than any other Nigerian mainstream act, including two EPs and two albums. When asked why he releases so much music, Seyi Vibez explained that music is his best form of expression, so he is constantly recording.
He said:
“I just keep recording. It’s not because I want to record, it’s because I don’t like talking to people too much. From when I was young I didn’t like talking to people too much, so whatever was on my mind that’s getting me sad or is getting me happy, I put in my music. I record always because that’s the only way I can communicate with people. I have a lot more songs than the ones I’ve dropped.”
Since releasing ‘Chance,’ Seyi Vibez has enjoyed enormous commercial success, which he believes contributes to people’s reluctance to believe he is only 23 years old. However, the artist attributes his success to God and his late mother, whose memories continue to inspire him.
“I would say first of all it’s God, our creator. Apart from that my explanation is always my mum, but since she’s passed away I always say she’s alive [in me].
I don’t consider myself young because everyone thinks I’m older than my age, and no one thinks I’m 23. I just have to keep pushing because I feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t be doing at my age. I’ll keep doing it, and my mother is still alive, so my motivation never fades, so I keep working.”
He has a music imprint called Vibez INC, where he signed the rising Street Pop act TMI Vibez. Seyi Vibez believes his new signee has the potential to be one of Africa’s best artists.
“All this year, Tml, Tml. I think he should do a lot more this year. He’ll be one of the best African artists ever to come up this year. He’s really a godsend because his first project went number 1 in Lagos, the single went to number 1 in Lagos, and his album went to number 2 in the whole of Nigeria, so I know his next project is getting better and I know Tml the year is a lot of trouble. Man, I can’t wait for him to blow more.”
“Those backing vocals came from the legendary music chants I used to know in Nigeria. When I was growing up – I was 12, 13, 14 – my dad used to play me Fela Kuti. He’s the one that made me know about Fela Kuti, then I studied about Fela Kuti and it made me know about K1 De Ultimate. You see all these people have [backing choirs] in their songs.
One day I sat down, and I thought about it like, why are we not using backup [choirs] in our songs? Is it because of the African performance? Is it why they record their stage performance as audio? So I’m like, what I want to start doing on stage is have a choir on my stage and also have a choir in the studio. That’s how I started.”
Seyi Vibez ended 2023 with the release of his ‘NAHAMciaga’ EP and he opened 2024 with the release of the music video for ‘Different Pattern’ off the EP. Fans will be looking forward to another music-filled year from the Street music sensation.
