HYPE Magazine has been featuring African artists and profiling global superstars. They recently interviewed Odeal; a talented Nigerian artist based in the UK. Odeal just released his new upbeat single “Be Easy” today. The song draws influences from Amapiano and Afrobeats and explores mutual romantic feelings. Odeal, who was born in Germany and has strong ties to Nigeria, has gained significant attention with his previous releases. His 2020 EP, OVMBR: ROSES, received acclaim, especially the lead single “24/48.”
What fuels your love for AfroBeats as a music genre?
I feel like there’s no set structure for Afrobeats music. It can be anything you want it to be. One thing about the songs is that they’ll make you dance and move. African music in general, not just AfroBeats, evokes strong emotions. It’s like when there’s an inside joke between you and your friends, but nobody else understands. When Afrobeat songs are sung and certain words are said between Africans, we understand and feel the same energy because we understand what is being said.
There’s a song that you wrote called “More Life” and you were inspired by the unfortunate passing of George Floyd in 2020. So, what inspired you to write that song? And are you politically inclined at all or were you just following the unfortunate incident?
It’s really crazy to think about how we made that song before the George Floyd incident happened. I’ve always said that I make music, and even if a situation hasn’t occurred yet, it eventually does. When the lockdown started, I was in the field and felt like people were being killed before George Floyd’s death. When that situation happened, it was like the straw that broke the camel’s back, and that song was released because of it. Over time, I’ve come to realize how deep things go politically, and I was glad to be able to speak on it at that time. I think I’m somewhat politically inclined, but at a certain point, you must be aware of what’s going on and let God take control. I used my gift to shine a light on the situation, and it shows that you can’t stay silent about the world’s issues.
What is it about Pineapple juice that you love so much – you even rap about it in “Be Easy”?
It’s very beneficial. I’m sure you know what I mean. It keeps your body in check.
What kind of space were you in when you wrote “Be Easy?” and what inspired it and what kind of mental and emotional state were you in at the time?
I feel like my vibe in the winter is different from my vibe in the summer. It changes because everyone’s like that. As an Afro R&B artist, it doesn’t feel natural for me to be in an R&B space all year round. It doesn’t make sense because I’m someone who likes to party and have a good time when it’s the right season. So, why don’t I make the soundtrack to my summer? In that period, I felt like, “I love house music, and why not?” I created the beat in a way that would fit in an Afro house set, similar to Kaytranada or Black Coffee. I just wanted to capture that summer feel, and it fell into place. I’ve been listening to Brazy and I really like her song “At All,” so I sampled that because I liked everything about her energy and style, and I felt like it was something my fan base could relate to. That was the energy I needed at that moment; you know what I mean?
One of the dominating genres of music globally is Amapiano. Are you familiar with the genre? Who is your favourite artist?
I have two songs in mind – ‘FOMO’ and ‘AsibeHappy’. I’d love to work with Felo Le Tee and Waffles because of their energy and vibe would be incredible. I also think Tyla and Mi Casa are great performers. And I’ve been listening to Mi Casa since I was 14 or 15 years old.
Who is your Top 5 Naija Musicians of all Time.
My top five would be REMA, Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid and Omah Lay as the last one
Your Top 5 South African Artists (Any Genre of Music)
Mi Casa, Dlala Thukzin, Black Coffee, Kelvin Momo and Tyla