My rhythm is a spiritual escape, says Alonzo
One of Nigeria’s emerging artistes and producers, Aloji Emmanuel Orji, popularly known as Alongji, has said that his rhythm is a spiritual escape for himself and his fans. In an interview with Ajulchukwu Brown, he talked about his musical journey and his expectations.
tell me about yourself
I was born and raised in Lagos. Studied music education at the University of Nigeria (UNN). I’m also a producer, sound engineer, vocal coach, and play guitar and piano.
What made you decide to do music?
To be honest, my love for music started after watching my dad play old records at home. Those songs he played instantly registered in my musical tastes. The journey so far has been a rollercoaster of experiences that have helped shape my brand. I started out just singing, but then I needed to create sounds, and I delved into playing instruments and then full-on music production.
What projects are you currently working on? EP, single, album?
So now I’m getting the ball rolling as a producer. In my creative element, I discover new sounds and explore my creative being. Of course, as an artist, I’ve recorded hundreds of songs, so I’m always looking forward to new music from Xhrine.
shrine? Is that a studio metaphor?
Yeah. It all started during my college days. They called me the Ezenmuo of my department. One day, someone who came to my studio to record called me Chief Priest, and the name stuck. The chief priest remains at the shrine. So her Xhrine in this context is my studio.
What genre does your music fall into? What is your production style?
My rhythms are a spiritual escape for me and my listening audience. Afro-fusion is what best describes my sound. Thanks to my extensive musical knowledge, I’ve had many influences over time and can create beats across many different genres. So my mind is like a melting pot of all the sounds I encounter every day.
Have you been influenced by other artists?
Yeah. Michael Jackson, Asa, Jon Bellion.
Have you collaborated with or are planning to collaborate with any Nigerian artists?
I’ve collaborated with many artists from my college days to now, and it’s really great to be able to use my talent to help others and make an impact in my own small way. I have collaborated with many emerging artists in the Southeast and it is so rewarding to see them grow. Music is all about good vibes and positive energy, so I’m happy to work with anyone as long as the energy is right.
Nigerian music is now a global anthem. As an up-and-coming artist, how do you feel about that? Do you have any concerns?
We are all very proud of how far we have come and one thing this has shown us is that anything is possible. At this time, there are no restrictions on genre or culture. With proper research and marketing, you can go from the underdog to the top list, as long as your music is great and your approachable people like it. As an up-and-coming artist, I see the drive and passion from all parts of the country. It’s not just Lagos, but we all know that the city offers much-needed opportunities in terms of entertainment and commerce, given its history. Other places like Enugu, Abuja and Benin are also working hard and it is only a matter of time. I think if we have the right structures in place in other states, it will be a win-win for creative and cultural culture in this country as a whole.
What do you think will happen to Alongi in the next five years?
I’m a man with no limitations. I will continue to evolve and continue to climb the ladder of greatness.
Source: guardian.ng