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Nigeria Style Of Hip Hop Music Lacks Lyrical Message – Avala

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Fast rising music diva, Avala is poise to set the roof of the Nigeria music industry on fire with her Soul and R&B style of music. The promising artiste has categorically stated that she is not in the game to be counted among the lot, rather the American returnee ventured into music to make a mark. Decorated with academic excellence in music, Avala sees herself playing at the top level of the game. In this interview with The Octopus News she spoke about her ambition and the music industry.

 

Tell us about you.

My name is Saidat Balogun. My stage name is Avala.

What is the meaning of Avala?

It is a combination of English and Egyptian language. Vala in Egyptian Language literarily mean ‘Hero’ I added the ‘A’ to make it read ‘A Hero’.

I was born and raised in the USA, New York to be précised. I however had my secondary education at Green Spring Secondary School here in Lagos, Nigeria. On completion of my secondary education, I travelled back to the states to further in my education at the tertiary level where I obtained a diploma certificate in music. I have since been working on my music career. I want to build a career in music for myself now, and thereafter go back to the University for Further Studies.  I strongly believe in education because for me, education and music are interwoven. Education complements music. By and large, I came back home (Nigeria) about to start a music career.

How did your passion for music evolved?

I studied music as a career course at the university. I also drew inspiration from my elder sister (Abidat Balogun) who is a fantastic singer. She was a member of our church choir back in the USA. I grew up admiring her perform on stage. She later left the choir for personal reasons. I took over from where she left and as time went by, music got the better part of me such that music and I became inseparable.

  What genre of music do you do?

I do Soul, R&B and Pop.

Which of these is your strong point?

My strong point is Soul and R&B

Do you have any album to your credit?

No. what I have is a Single release and it is titled “Coming back” it was packaged by DJ Clem of Lighthouse and was released sometime ago. I have another single titled “Can’t get it” written by Dr. Sid.

Just five months old in Nigeria and you are already frolicking with the industry players. How were you able to achieve that?

I was able to make that happen through contacts and networking.

And how is your single doing out there?

So far so good I would say. I have actually been getting responses from listeners.

Is your single enjoying airwaves?

Yes. I have had the opportunity of listening to it on different radio stations and friends and colleagues have also called on different occasions to tell me they heard my song over the radio.

Have you been featured in any major concert?

I was involved in the “Nokia First Chance” reality project some time ago, if that would for a major project. I have also been performing at lesser concerts to prepare myself for the major ones ahead.  I have also featured in several music videos of popular artistes.

Are those videos enjoying air waves?

Yes.

Why music and not other careers?

It is what I see myself doing. That is me. When you know; you know. And I know music is the way for me to go.

When you decided to pick music as a career, how did your parents react to it?

At first my parents did not quite understood me and so they objected. They actually wanted me to do some science stuff, you know, they rather have me become a medical doctor, lawyer or an accountant. They wanted me to do a professional course. However, the day they saw me performed on stage at my school graduation ceremony, they both shed tears; they couldn’t believe the damsel on stage was their own daughter, they were so proud of me. Thereafter, they both approved of it and have been very supportive all the way.

What is music to you, addiction or passion?

For me it is passion. It is something that lives in me.

Are you into music for fame or the money?

Neither. I am actually in the industry because music is what I love to do.

If you were not doing music, what other profession would you have embraced?

I would have loved to have a school; a school of music where people could enroll to study performing art, music, musical instruments and dance.

Do you see yourself fitting in at the top level in the industry?

Yes. Because I belief I have what it takes.

On a lighter note, do you speak Yoruba language?

Yes.  Not perfectly though.

Do you intend to use Yoruba language in your lyrics?

Yes.

How would achieve that if you can not speak the language very well?

I am already undergoing some lectures in Yoruba language. Trust me, I am a fast learner.

Do you play any musical instrument?

Yes. I play the keyboard perfectly and a little of guitar. I actually learned how to write songs with the aid of the keyboard.

What is your thought about Nigeria music?

We are growing, presently, Nigeria Hip Hop is all about dance, it lacks lyrical message but it could only get better.

What difference are you bringing in this regard?

I am bringing in something different. I am bringing in emotions, love, hate, happiness you name it.

Who is your role model in the industry?

Whitney Houston. Forever and always, for me she is the queen of R&B. Coming back home, I will go for Asa. I love the way she delivers her songs especially in Yoruba.

If you have the opportunity of picking an artiste for a collaboration, who would that be?

For the male artiste I will go for M.I. and in the female category I will pick Asa.

 

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