Shady Blue the Afrocentricsoul Queen, A hardworking British-Nigerian singer who came from an illustrious family but yet had a humble background and fended for herself since age 12.
She worked her way through the ladder of life to establish her pedigree as a sonorous musician, mother, professional consultant, entrepreneur, and an icon of the African ethos of “Ise logun ise” (hard work is the antidote to poverty and lack).
In this interview with The Sun, the mother of two revealed how her music life resurrected during the peak of Covid-19, early life challenges, and lots more.
Enjoy
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I’m a mother of two boys and I work as well. I’m a program manager in an information technology firm, but I’m a musician first because that’s the way I was born. It’s in my blood and I’m also a business owner. The business didn’t actually happen until COVID started and since then, I’ve released a lot of songs in the last two years. I’m focusing more on my music now because my kids are at the age where I can afford to focus on music fully and I am back home to promote a couple of my songs.
You went back to music at the peak of Covid-19?
Yes, the onset of COVID-19 stopped a lot of people, but also gave others more opportunities, because if you’re creative enough, you can think outside the box and figure out how to let the restriction innovate you. I used that period to my advantage and decided to focus more on my music.
Your latest body of work with Neo Phlames is a true-life story, can you share what your childhood was like?
My original childhood is very humble. I didn’t have the silver spoons. I think I didn’t get handed things. I’ve always been a hard worker. And I realized that most times I’m always doing things myself. I carried all my burdens by myself. And of course, for those that have heard my song, I said I remember when nobody has my time but now everybody wants to be a part of what I’m doing. There was a time when I was struggling. I was hustling and couldn’t even do half the things I was meant to do. I’ve been so self-sufficient through God’s grace. So far I’m able to do anything I want to do myself. For some reason, I’m getting more interest from the people that weren’t there from the get-go. They didn’t have my time then all of a sudden they all want to be a part of this journey. When all the hard work has been done, which is quite strange but I guess that’s life.
Would you say your childhood is one of the reasons your style of music is Afrocentricsoulful?
Yes, very much. My dad is a jazz musician. So my background is jazz. We had a lot of top musicians come into the house. Tunji Oyelana is like a mentor to me because that’s my dad’s best friend as well. So my background was around jazz. I used to watch my dad and the things he does. When he plays all instruments. My original style is jazz, which is why it comes with my style; Afrocentricsoulful jazz is a fusion of different sounds because I’ve got a jazzy voice.
What are you currently working on?
I’ve written many songs but I’ve only released 15. My favorite one of all is titled ‘Sokagbo’. It was produced by Flip ties.
It was co-written by myself and Neo Phlames again. Sokagbo is also is a love story, or let me say it is a love story gone wrong. It’s not a personal story by the way. We were just being creative. And it’s about having a new relationship and the person is acting the same as your other failed relationships. And I’m saying ‘everybody keeps doing this to me and you’re doing the same thing’.
What inspired most of your songs?
Real-life scenarios; I like people to be able to relate to my music. It is also more about the passion for music. Music is the most creative part of me. It is my happy place. It is where I’d go when everything goes wrong. It is where I go to if I’m sick and when I am on my sickbed. I have been through a lot in the last few years. I guess that’s what brought about this inspiration. And I’m going to be open about it. The last time I came to Nigeria, I was diagnosed with cancer. However, when I got back, thank God I didn’t even have to do the surgery and only went for a biopsy and that disappeared. I have a second skin. The second skin made me think of life in a different way that you know what, tomorrow is not promised. So, I had put more effort into my happy place, which is music. I also get my inspiration when I sleep. I dream of a new idea for my creatives. I have a lot of young people around me, including Neo Phlames and a lot of producers.
There are other young, vibrant musicians springing up every day, do you feel pressured?
It is not the most talented in music that succeeds. Music is a part of my life. I do it for passion, not money. I have never made me profit from my music. My music career has cost me a lot of money. I have a regular job. Music doesn’t pay me, I pay music. I see music as my drug. I don’t drink or smoke. Music is the biggest risk of my life.
Any plans on featuring the big names and the collaboration she would love to see?
There are some amazing artists I really love, like Simi, I love her creativity. I also love her husband too; especially the way they work together. I’m beginning to like Wizkid even though Davido was the one I really liked. Wizkid is growing, his music is maturing, and we all need to mature with time. Another collaboration I’d like to see is that of myself, Dbanj, and Seun Kuti. On-Demand, that would be a killer.