Inside the colorful world of Afrobeats | Headline News
With his velvety vocals and soothing lyricism, Sadiq Onifard has a tendency to get lost in and find his own world.
With his velvety vocals and soothing lyricism, Sadiq Onifard has a tendency to get lost in and find his own world. It’s great to be immersed in one’s art, but simultaneously finding meaning and identity within its corridors is a subtle challenge that his Onifade, known professionally as his Wurld, wields as a musical superpower. It’s balance.
Since coming into the spotlight in 2015 with RnB spinner ‘Show You Off’ alongside Major Lazer and Sizzy’s Walshy Fire, World has developed a new sound style in Afrobeats that thrives on psychedelia and feel-good grooves. released.
His follow-up records range from his 2019 debut, Love Is Contagious, to the smash hit collaborative EP with Sarz, I Love Girls With Trobul. From the Fuji-esque “Contagious” to the pop-fusion of “Focus,” his off-tempo drifts captivated fans in Europe, North America, and West Africa, where most of his early music originated. It sparked the kind of depth that the 36-year-old embodies over five compilation records, including the just-released EP Don’t Get Used To This.
Growing up in bustling climates like Mushin and Atlanta greatly influenced World’s thirst for creative expression. Even after writing hooks for global superstars like Mario and Timbaland, the blue-haired singer continues to explore new avenues of expression. And on Don’t Get Used to This, an eight-song album packed with hits like the Sarz-produced “Location,” the futuristic RnB maestro exists in a world of his own without complacency. ing.
Speaking to Guardian Music, the indie musician spoke about the creative inspiration behind his new EP, his artistic bromance with Sarz, starting a new record label, and being Nigeria’s biggest Game of Thrones fan. It also reveals his constant pursuit of expression.
Why did you choose to title this EP “Don’t Get Used To This”?
So this project is based on the idea of living in the moment as if nothing is promised tomorrow, and living in the moment to the fullest, in the fact that you have to relive new experiences. . You have to have new experiences, so everything becomes like a memory and you have to keep going. So you can’t get used to the moment. You have to live within it, knowing that you have given your all to everything. Because on days like this, I don’t stretch myself too much, like today, I’ve given my all, but I just can’t get used to this moment and everything that comes with it. Everything will change tomorrow and we will have to start again.
Can you tell us what you have been up to since your last project?
I was going through a lot of changes, but more importantly, I was taking care of my heart, my mental space. I’ve done a lot of recording and worked with a lot of producers. I started a new label called Additive Content. This content is the imprint’s first release. But in the near future, people will start seeing and hearing my collaborations with new artists, new producers, etc. I mean, I’m just rebuilding, but these things take time to transition and feel like it’s the right place to start. It was all about music. where were the people? It was that kind of feeling. I am aware of everything around me and myself.
Where do you think your headspace is at the moment musically?
I’m in a great space and I’m still experimenting and trying new things. The new project was very intentional for me. Musically, I think we’re more musically intentional than ever before. It’s not just about making great music, it’s about creating great music and creating more of it in a space where people can enjoy it. wrong. I’m more intentional about the types of songs I give people depending on the time and space they’re in. So far, I feel like I’ve been pretty progressive when people feel like they have to catch up, but I need time to digest. So this time I feel like I’m really living in the moment but also still being progressive, and that’s one of the things that’s changed for me. There are many projects planned in the near future. Electronic and dance projects are in progress. I’m excited about it because it shows a completely different side of me, it’s something that really evolves for me every day.
Why do you want to release more solo records than collaborations?
We were planning to release a collaboration project. I spent a lot of time on that, but the timing just didn’t work out. And if you look at some of the collaborations that I’ve spent a lot of time doing, some of those collaborations weren’t very well planned in terms of relationships to have the space to release music. There were also some things. I don’t want to make a longer solo project. Simply because it makes room for collaboration. So this project is a validation of everything that I am as a songwriter and a producer. And indeed, as someone who contributed sonically to the world movement in a very important way, in the whole Afrobeats system. And I feel like this project is just me owning my space. Perhaps people may start to feel more of the collaboration that I’ve been doing behind the scenes in the coming months.
You have very great chemistry with Saaz himself. What makes him more comfortable to work with?
It was always magical when Saaz and I made music. I believe it. Because even though we’ve done it many times and we’ve done it many times, people haven’t heard anything new. “Location” is just one of his many songs, and it’s the only one of his that I collaborated with my girlfriend Sarz on this project. I felt lucky to start working with some great producers and to be able to make some great music with them. So I felt it was important to shine a light on other producers in this project.
What does your typical creative process look like?
When it comes to recording and producing music, I’m a soloist. I record myself and write my own music, so I like quiet spaces. My space is a quiet place, just me and my tools, microphone, computer, interface, software, and everything else. So for me, I love creating in the freest space without noise. The quieter the better because I’m just focused on my thoughts. I don’t get distracted by anything. I’m always trying to find new melodies and new conversations. Because my DNA defaults to being true to myself while being the opposite of what everyone else is making. So when you’re constantly trying to create new songs, every song is an experiment, every song is finding a way to do something. This creates a space where you can concentrate without any noise. I don’t like noisy spaces. That’s my process in a nutshell.
Do you have a favorite song from the EP?
My favorite songs change with the times. I would say at this moment, “Just give it a try.”
Is there a special story behind the song?
Every song on this project is very intentional to me. I felt it was important to absorb the situation and express it in the most loving way. The situation is so absurd that we humans make excuses when we don’t want to do something. But if you find the right person to do the job for you, he or she will do it without question.
In this era of Afrobeats going global, what does this new era hold for you and how do you feel about it?
I think it’s beautiful. We have shown progress. It showed that something was working. It has shown that crazy visions and ideas can come true and has given people hope to dream even wilder dreams. Because everything starts somewhere and goes beyond our control. I think it’s beautiful to see because this is just the beginning and it’s only going to get better, that’s my opinion.
So what’s next for Wurld?
It’s a tour for me. I feel like I’ll have a great experience on the next tour. I’m actually going to tour after this project, and I’m going to bring not only this project, but also my musical journey to the stage with a live audience. Maybe there will be an experiential show for my fans in Lagos. Although it is limited, it will be an experiential show limited to a few people. There is something special that I am trying to reassure, express and present, and I am working towards that as well. But when it comes to touring, my goal is to get as far and wide to the fence as possible. I think it’s time to move on to the next stage.
Overall, what are you trying to achieve with your artistry?
At this stage, I want to continue my journey by just making music for myself, along with some experimental stuff. I am collaborating with new artists to create projects through my new works.
Finally, what are three interesting facts about Wurld?
I’m good at cooking. I think you can make the best spaghetti sauce. Also, I actually record all of my music myself. And finally, my favorite show on the planet so far is Game of Thrones.
Source: guardian.ng