From The Studio To The Spotlight with Kitay

Issue 7.0 Nov. 2025

Interview conducted by Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa

Designed by Chiagozie Mbuba

Q. You started singing in the church choir. What parts of that foundation still shape your sound today?

A. I started singing in church as a lead singer and the first time I ever held a microphone to sing was 2010 and that’s where I learnt how to be versatile cus I was singing in all the choirs including traditional choir groups.

Q. Growing up in Warri, what memories or cultural influences do you feel molded the artist you’ve become?

A. Growing up in Warri and listening to Urhobo traditional music which I loved because of the amazing notes and tone ,I could not but copy so much from it and shaped into my style of singing.

Q. Before Project Fame and The Voice Nigeria, what was the hardest part of navigating the early days of your career?

A. Hardest part of Navigating the early days of my career, was getting financial support or making enough money to leave everything and focus on just music, I had to work on the side and school so it wasn’t easy.

Q. Was there a defining moment when you realized music wasn’t just a passion but your life’s path?

A. The defining moment was when I noticed that every time I sing ,and I went for a Warri gospel competition and I came out the top singer  effortlessly.

Q. You’ve experienced two major talent platforms. How did Project Fame shape you differently from The Voice Nigeria?

A. Project fame taught me literally everything I know about stage performance and I’ll say The Voice just amplified all that I already had and learnt over the years.

Q. What lessons did each stage teach you about performance, vulnerability, and audience connection?

A. It taught me that it’s not just about talent but also hardwork and character.

Q. Looking back, what would you tell your younger self walking into Project Fame for the first time?

A. I’ll go into project fame and do the same thing I did.

Q. How would you describe the evolution of “Kitay” — the artist — from your early singles to your sound today?

A. My evolution as an artiste has been mind blowing, from just a vocalist who always struggled to do afrobeat to now messing around with everything I come across and becoming very versatile in Afrobeats.

Q. What elements of your music today feel like reinvention, and what feels like a return to your core essence?

A. right now I always find a way to infuse everything because I actually can do everything and add a bit of my vocals which is my core.

Q. Has your artistic identity ever clashed with industry expectations? How did you navigate that?

A. No my artistic identity never clashed with industry expectations, I just needed to define and find my sound from how good I was already vocally.

Q. When you walk into the studio, what kind of energy, mindset, or ritual sets the tone for your best work?

A. When I step into the studio all I need is space to be with myself and no matter the mood I’ll always deliver.

Q. What’s the most transformative song you’ve made — the one that changed something inside you during recording?

A. my most transformative song would be a song I haven’t put out yet but soon!

Q. People see the spotlight but rarely the struggle. What has been your most personal battle on this journey?

A. My most personal battles are mainly having to deal with life and chasing my music career, sometimes it looks like you’re not serious or putting in the work or enough work from people only looking from the outside ,but nothing good comes easy, honestly some of these issues could make you quit music for good, even with signing bad contracts and they made you look stupid and wasted your time for no reasonable reason.

Q. How did you push through moments when the industry slowed down or doors weren’t opening?

A.  Seeing my audience grow has been exciting and only gives me more reason to always keep pushing because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel already, so yeah I know I’ll get there finally.

Q. What story are you telling right now as Kitay — the artist in motion?

A. The story I’m telling right now is a lot, but mainly focusing on love and connections felt between two people.

Q. What does performing live do for you that recording can’t?

A. Performing live helps me to express the song better and fully with no restrictions.

Q. What impact do you hope your music has on young artists coming from places like Warri who look up to you?

A. I hope my music inspires younger ones from Warri about pushing for excellence, because when it comes to my music I put out, I give my best always.

Q. You’ve teased new music and a forthcoming EP. What should fans expect from this next chapter?

A. from this next chapter fans should expect all the heat because I have so much coming that I am certain they are not ready and it will definitely be I believe, because now they get to really hear me in my full afrobeat element.

Q. If you could leave your listeners with one line that captures who Kitay is right now— what would that line be?

A. Just a boy from Warri Wen get big  dreams.

I don face Many pains, Many defeats..

Even some Family Members dem nor to believe…

But Me I head on strong, Cus na me get the Dream!!!

From The Studio To The Spotlight with Owan & Larbi

Issue 5.0 (May. 2025)

Interview conducted by Ayo Fabiyi

Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu 

Ghanaian duo Owan&Larbi have been making waves with their unique blend of sound and heartfelt lyrics. After dropping their EP Here’s to New Beginnings in 2024, they’ve continued to captivate audiences with their journey and artistry. With their latest single “She Bad” marking a new chapter, Solid Guy Magazine caught up with the duo to discuss their creative process, the lessons they’ve learned, and what the future holds.

Q. You’ve been together for a while now. How did Owan&Larbi come to be, and what brought you together as a duo?

A. It all started with us free styling to beats during one of our vacation days. This is around the time we were in the university.

 

Q. Here’s to New Beginnings was a turning point for many fans discovering your sound. What message or feeling did you want to convey through that project?

A. The sense of a new beginning. Also, we had just started making music professionally, so the tape served as a rite of passage to our target audience.

 

Q. How do you feel you’ve grown as artists since the release of that EP last year? Has your approach to music changed in any way?

A. We have been more consciously involved in the curation of the sound for this phase of ours. With the EP we had the beats that spoke to us sonically and as a result we came up with the befitting lyrics.

Q. “She Bad” has a different vibe compared to some of your previous songs. What does this track represent for you both, personally and as artists?

A. Our very first attempt at being more hands on with the production together with our producer friend ‘Probenny’ and this how it turned out. We had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback on the resonance of the sound. This represents growth and the potential for more exploration in the future. Our next single has that similar potential, wait on it.

 

Q. Every artist faces challenges in the industry. What would you say has been the hardest part of navigating the music scene, especially in Ghana?

A. There aren’t enough opportunities and avenues for Artists like us, especially on the come up. Almost everything too hinges on a transactional relationship which usually doesn’t yield the desired outcome because not all the stakeholders truly see the industry for how it actually operates.

Q. Your sound is very distinct. How do you stay true to that while also experimenting with new genres or styles, like with “She Bad”?

A. There is a versatility gene in us. We explore a lot but there is one that is for sure, whenever you hear an Owan & Larbi song, you would just feel it.

 

Q. As a duo, how do you manage creative differences? Do you both have specific roles when working on a song?

A. First of all we are more like brothers. The synergy between us is always great. It sometimes feels magical when we realize that we have just birthed a song without even going about it to the stringent standards. Music creation isn’t formulaic.

 

Q. A lot of your music feels like it’s a conversation with your audience. What’s the core message you want listeners to take away from your songs?

A. The message is that they have this duo in their corner that they can always listen to.

 

Q. Onnine seems to be a significant part of your journey. How did your collaboration with them come about, and how has that partnership influenced your sound and career?

A. Another brother who has been around since this whole thing started. He is such an amazing artist that everyone should check him out. There is so much coming from respective camps. You guys would love it.

 

Q. Looking ahead, what does 2025 have in store for Owan & Larbi? Should fans expect more singles like “She Bad,” or is there a larger project coming soon?

A. They should expect more music. Owan & Larbi season is here!

 

Q. In such a fast-paced industry, how do you stay grounded and focused on your personal and artistic growth?

A. We feel like there is so much work to do and so many amazing songs that we want to share. These help keep us focused. The eye is on a bigger prize, just watch and support us.

 

Q. Ghana’s music scene is really having a moment globally. How do you see yourselves contributing to this international recognition of African music?

A. This is the reason why we are so much concerned with the sound now. We want to bring something extremely distinct to this table. Good enough, She bad, our debut single of the year is there to prove it.

 

Q. What has working with Onnine taught you about the business side of music, and how do you balance that with your artistic vision?

A. We have all been teaching each other a thing or two about the business side of the music. With this particular release being She bad, we made sure that the metadata captured everyone and their involvement in its creation.

 

Q. Has there been a moment in your career so far that really made you feel like you’ve found your sound, or is that still a work in progress?

A. We have the sound but we are also being creative, working and exploring everyday is our goal.

 

Q. What’s been the most rewarding part of being in a duo creatively and personally?

A. We get to create art as real brothers. There is nothing more beautiful than this. It’s rewarding because it has given us the chance to share our stories with others. On our own, we don’t think we would’ve even had that zeal to go about it like this.

 

Q. Looking back at the start of your journey, if you could give yourselves one piece of advice, what would it be?

A. Don’t rush. Take it slow and learn.

 

Q. Finally, what do you want to be remembered for in the music industry? What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

A. Our shows. The experience we want to share is similar to a crusade that leaves an everlasting impact for everyone that gets to see us live. Songs that touch hearts and make you extremely happy.

From The Studio To The Spotlight with StefanTheGoat

Issue 4.0

Apr. 2025

Interview Conducted by: Ayo Fabiyi

Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu 

 Q. Let’s start with your name. StefanTheGoat is bold and confident. What is the story behind it and how does it reflect your personality or sound?

Ans: Before the GOAT, it was all baby steps. I started as Stefan Twilyte, making music as part of a group, then transitioned into a solo artist as Stefan. Projects like 14:55 and GHOSTANDGOAT helped shape my journey.

Q. You dropped VENT not too long ago and it felt raw and personal. What headspace were you in when you made that track?

Ans: My sound is distinct—when you hear my voice, you know who's speaking. 

I don’t overthink it. I’ve always been used to putting out bodies of work, just having fun, and saying what’s on my mind. 

Ha! The clue is in the name—VENT.

Q. Looking back at your first ever recording, how would you compare it to your sound now especially songs like Flower and Memories?

Ans: Funny you asked that. My first solo recording, I, was heavily influenced by the artists who first introduced me to the culture. Flowers, memories… I can’t compare. 

Q. Take us into your studio zone. What does a typical Stefan recording session look like? Calm and quiet or full of energy and people?

Ans: Full of energy, not necessarily people.

Q. You have different vibes in your catalog. How do you decide what is going to be the next single and what stays in the vault?

Ans: 9 times out of 10, the music decides. I just look back like, WOW… okay!

Q. Let’s say someone is hearing you for the first time. Between VENT, Memories, and Flower, which track would you tell them to start with and why?

Ans: Damn, you really put me on the spot! 

All classics. But to me, MEMORIES is at an all-time high. It provokes all kinds of emotions.

Q. Outside of music, what is something random or unexpected that actually inspires your songwriting?

Ans: Living life. Sometimes, a conversation can spark an idea.

Q. A lot of people have assumptions about new artists. What is one common misconception people have about you or your music journey?

Ans: I don’t know… let them worry about it.

Q. You have dropped emotional joints and vibe heavy songs. How do you balance being real with chasing what works commercially?

Ans: Implementing my ideas.

Q. If music was not an option, where do you think you would be right now and would you still be creating in some way?

Ans: Somewhere, ...

 

From The Studio To The Spotlight 

Issue 3.0 July 2024

Cover: Dinycee

Interview conducted by: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)

Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)

Q. Can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to pursue art? 

Were there any early influences or experiences that sparked your creative journey?

A. The moment I realized I was going to make music was during my Junior secondary school days when we do freestyle in the class but  because of the passion I had for music I realized I was going to be a great musician.

Q. How do you typically begin a new piece? Could you walk us through your creative process ? 

A. Well I do freestyle on a beat to get the melody and i write the lyrics and sometimes I do write off my head without beat then go to the studio to make the beat.

Q. Every artist faces challenges. Can you share a particularly difficult project you've worked on and how you overcame the obstacles? 

A. The difficult challenges I have faced is appealing to Enugu Audience who it’s main stream is Igbo hip hop/ trap, introducing Afrobeats to my target audience.

Q. Where do you draw inspiration from in your daily life? Are there particular places, people, or experiences that fuel your creativity? 

A. Well I do draw my inspiration mostly from experiences I had in the past and also from my daily life activities. I also do tell myself the truth.

Q. Do you have a favorite medium to work with, or do you enjoy experimenting with different materials? How does the choice of medium influence your work?

A. Well I’m working with nameless production to discover more about my sound which I tagged as Afroromance and many more.

Q. Your pieces often seem deeply personal. How much of your own life and emotions are reflected in your work?

A. 100% of my life reflects in my song

Q. How do you feel about the public's reaction to your art? Are there any memorable responses or interactions that stand out to you? 

A. I’m different, slowing growing my community and people are beginning to tune in.

Q. How do your cultural background and personal experiences influence your art? 

A. It was in my secondary school that I discovered what I really loved by associating with friends introduced other genre apart from Christian music which my parents introduced me to. I tap small to Christian sound because I got a bit of spirituality in my sound.

Q. How important is community to you as an artist? Do you participate in local art communities or initiatives? 

A. As a musician, I’m a community servant. I do songs which person that has experienced what i sing would relate to and find peace in.

Q. If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

A. Wizkid, Runtown, and Juice Wrld.

Q. Say something to your fans 

A. Thank you guys for standing by me , I have more in the kitchen for you guys.