BEHIND THE BOOTH WITH SHALLYTHECHAMPION
Interview Conducted By: Mofiyinfoluwa Korede Olulana (@finnnnix)
Photos Credit: Shalom Ifeanyi-Amogu (@shallythechampion)
Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)
Editor In Chief: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)
INTRODUCTION:
Q. Can you please introduce yourself and tell us how you entered the music industry as a producer?
A. I'm Shalom Ifeanyi-Amogu, PKA. Shallythechampion. I'm a music producer, and I do basically all genres of production, not just afrobeat.
So, I entered the music industry as a producer between 2020 and 2021. That's three years ago.I loved music so much, and right from when I was a kid, right from when I was seven,
I was really playing the drums. Then I advanced to playing the keyboard. I went to music school and I learnt how to play the
saxophone and violin but I didn't really perfect the violin part.
So yeah, I just wanted to look for a way to advance the talent that I already had because I was a
big fan of music.
I had so much passion for it, so I wanted to look for a way to advance it, and then, I went to find
out about FL Studio. I learned FL Studio myself. I spent literally a year.
That was 2019. I spent literally my 2019 Discovering FL studio knowing everything about it.
So by 2020 proper, I started producing and liked working for people.
Basically, that was how I entered the music industry as a producer.
Q. What inspired you to become a music producer, and how did your journey in the industry begin?
A. Basically what inspired me was just the fact that I had the talent. I had the passion for it so I wanted to transform it into something that would make me great, make me successful you understand. I just wanted to like switch it up, ignite it, grow more and more, so even as I am I'm still willing to grow.
So yeah, that's what just really inspired me to become a music producer then not to talk of other producers that I like. They are quite a lot but I'll list Sarz ,P PRIME. Then I think P Prime was really banging he's still banging though. Back then P PRIME' was literally everywhere and I loved, I fucked with the guy's production, Sarz and P PRIME'. Yeah, so those are the people that inspired me like, okay, you can do this shit.
Accomplishment:
Q. Can you share some of your proudest achievements as a music producer in the Nigerian music scene?
A. My proudest achievements are actually the songs I've put out. So far so good, they are actually doing superbly well on different platforms. So I'm so proud of that because I know why I'm proud of it. It's a personal reason and there are still more proud moments apart from putting out songs. I go to sessions and like blow the heads off artistes. And they'll be like, "Who the fuck are you, bro?" "I love how you did this at this age". It's a very, very proud moment for me.
Q. What do you think sets your work apart and contributes to your success in producing songs?
A. Basically, what sets my work apart during production is actually the fact that I can play the keyboard so much. I think it affects the hope that you get melodically wise. Then, I don't want to leave out my percussions, and I like organising my percussions really, really well. It might not just be everywhere and scattered over, like in a percussion game, and I take time to organise my rules in a song. Yeah, I take time to organise my rules because the rules have to rule.
Q. Are there any specific artists or projects that you've worked on that you consider turning points in your career?
A. Yeah, I've worked with them, but it hasn't been put out yet. But I've worked with quite a few artistes on their projects, so that one is going.
PROJECTS:
Q. Could you tell us about some of the notable projects you've been a part of recently?
A. A notable project that I've been on is with Wizard Chan. I produced Moses by Wizard Chan, and that's going to make his album. Yes, I think that's making his album. So that's a notable one. And then I made three songs on the Afro-Hype Man Sheye Banks album alongside top producers and artistes so that's quite notable. And Shonn's Door has a notable project because I really like the song, so it's notable for me.
Q. How do you approach each new project? Are there specific techniques or creative processes you follow?
A. Obviously, everyone has their own creative process and technique. Everyone has their own creative process and techniques. We make it unique. So yes, I have specific techniques. I have specific creative processes I follow. In as much as I want to be left alone to express my emotions through the music, through the melodies, through the drums, through whatever element we all have specific techniques and creative processes we follow while expressing ourselves. So yeah, I do. I have. And mind you, it's not all projects that you approach with the same technique and process. I don't know if you understand me. It's not all projects you approach with the same techniques and the same creative process. Some need different shakers, and some need a different kick. As a producer, I will never speak for myself. I know the right creative processes and techniques to follow in order to make the work faster and more commercial.
Q. Is there a particular genre or style you enjoy working on the most? Why?
Basically, there is no particular genre or style, I would say. I would like to say I really love Afrobeat. I love Afrobeat. But aside from that, I can do all genres. You should be able to be flexible. Do Ghanaian Bounce, Afrobeat, EDM, and Afro Pop. So you should be able to be flexible. As much as I love Afrobeat, I can do all genres. Or I enjoy doing other genres and styles. Because, funny enough, I was doing it here earlier. Why do I enjoy Afrobeat so much? Well, I enjoy Afrobeat so much because, firstly, I grew up listening to lots of Afrobeat. And I feel Afrobeat in as much as it's complex. It lets you express yourself really, really well. Other genres can help you express yourself. Apart from expressing yourself, you can fuse lots of things. You can fuse EDM, take a bit of EDM, take a bit of soul, and take a bit of Afro-pop. And other genres, and you can infuse it into Afrobeat. So Afrobeat is a really flexible one. It lets you experiment so much. So lots of people connect with it.
CHALLENGES:
Q. Every professional faces challenges. What are some of the challenges you've encountered in your career, and how did you overcome them?
A. Yes, every professional faces challenges. I agree. So, like, some of the challenges I've encountered in my career so far, I think it's just, you know, anxiety and fear. Before I always felt that, you know, when I'm going through a session, I would want to have a B.P. Like, what would I play for this person? Is he really going to like it? But as I kept growing and getting exposed, I charged that fear because now I can just literally walk into the studio session, even if I have nothing in mind, a jam must come out. So yeah, no matter how bad it is, a jam must come out. So I'll say one of the challenges I've encountered is fear. Yeah, it's fear. That's a fright on my end.
Q. Can you share a specific instance where a project didn't go as planned? What did you learn from that experience?
A. I can't really say possibly where a project didn't go as planned. So what I learned from that experience is that, as a producer, just do your stuff. The management or the artists, like, have their own plans, too, do you understand? So just do your thing. Do your work as a producer. So even as they will keep you informed, okay, we are going to add this, we are going to send this, you know, just do your thing because, yeah, that's just basically it. So there is no instance where a project didn't go as planned because, like, I'm not the planner of the project. The artist is the one who plans this project.
Q. How do you deal with creative blocks, and what strategies do you use to stay inspired?
I also listen to other songs from other genres, not even afrobeats, or other great genres that make sense. So yeah, that's how I stay inspired. And then, most times, when I have creative blogs too, I pick a particular plugin, and I search for all possible sounds that make sense to me, even the one that is even weird. So I search for them and, if right, those sounds because they will really help my speed and pace while producing. I don't know if you understand me. So yeah, I pick a particular plugin, a particular VST, and I dive deep into it. So that's how I stay inspired and like to deal with my creative blocks.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY:
Q. How do you perceive the current state of the Nigerian Music Industry, especially in terms of music production?
A. The music industry in terms of music production is so far so good; it's not that bad for me. It's very neutral, and it's going well.
Q. Are there any emerging trends or artists in the Nigerian music scene that you find particularly exciting or innovative?
A. I find it exciting and innovative as a producer. I know. I see. On the streets of Instagram, there are a lot of artists and talents. There are a lot, and I wouldn't lie to you if you really know how to sing. I commend people a lot. I don't overdo it, though. I don't just buzz people out of the blues, or I might not be following you; I might just see your post. Or I might just go across the page. I just leave a keep it up in your comment section, and it is in terms of fire emojis because you are actually fire. So just something to you. But trust me,there are lots of exciting talents—fucking excited and innovative—that you all haven't even heard of. I believe they will be heard one day. Amen.
Q. In your opinion, what does it take for a producer to thrive in the vibrant and competitive Nigerian music market?
A. In my opinion, man, just be unique. Just be unique. And how else would you be wise? Not wise in the sense of getting played or something. Be wise, like... just know how to tweak shit or make shit sound so crazy. When I'm producing, I always try to bust my guys' heads. I have a group of friends. I always try to bust their heads because I have to bust their heads. So that, like other people's heads, will get busted too. So basically, that is it. Just try to go crazy with it. Try to go crazy with it. You'll stand out. Trust me. Just be you. Be creative. You don't need to follow anyone's pattern. Be you. If you want to unleash strings in your beats and parts, do it. Just be you. People who love that music, you fuck with it. Artists that like that pattern—there are so many artists to work with—are there. So be you. Be unique. Keep creative.
FUTURE PLANS:
Q. What can your fans and the industry expect from you in the coming months?
Q. Any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease?
A. Um, I can tease that we have an upcoming collaboration with Skales, Marvel, Lazy Ella, Kpee and lots more.
Q. Are there any new skills or musical styles you're eager to explore in your future work?
A. Yes, I have so many. Learning never stops for me. I always want to keep learning,even from whoever thinks, whoever belittles himself, or whoever doesn't believe himself. I want to learn from you. So there are lots of new skills and musical styles I really want to explore. There are a lot of shits I hear, and I always go back to try to figure them out. I always keep learning. I want to keep learning, even from the artist. If you say, Do this like this, I will say okay,then I'll try to fuse it with the knowledge I have. I always want to keep learning. That's one thing about me. And I feel everybody knows that. So, yeah, there are lots of things I want to explore in my future work.
Q. How do you see the future of music production evolving, and how do you plan to adapt and innovate in your role as a producer?
A. Yeah, music evolves. Music evolves so much. And if the music evolves,your production has to evolve. In short, the involvement of music starts with the kind of beats the producers make and send out. I don't know if you understand, because obviously Amapiano started from a producer that just sent it to an artist, and he nailed it. And from there, everybody took the wave. So it is the future of music production. Music will always evolve. And you must adapt and innovate. You must learn the new wave, you must follow the new wave, and you must evolve as well. So I plan to adapt and innovate as a producer. Not I plan, I will. As I said, I love learning. So innovation is key.
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