Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Born and bred in Ibadan, Nigeria precisely in one of the busiest states in the country. My musical foundation was built right from the church/high school years via singing in the choir as a chorister. That created a shift in my mind to take up music and inspire the world with original music using my vocals.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve found myself listening to all sorts of genres in music actually. I’m never stuck or try to place myself in a specific box. But I’m more interested in the Afrobeat genre. People in the likes of, FELA Kuti, Patoranking, Burna Boy, Wizkid & DaVido.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: The likes of Wizkid, Burna Boy & Fela Kuti
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘No Frontin’. Is there a story behind it?
A: I had a special type of girl I was crushing on a while ago but she was ‘frontin’ the whole time, which made me think she was not interested in me. It broke my heart because I knew deep down that we’d be great together, but something was holding her back. We are still good friends and while we’ve both levelled up in our lives in the years since, I have a strong feeling she’s digging me now lol, I have moved on though”
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Thats an EXCLUSIVE. Haha. I’ll let my work speak. But expect to have something phenomenal from D.MATTHEWS in the year, 2023. Stamp it.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: First of all, I don’t make music for one demographic. I make music for all demographics & want to take people somewhere rare in thoughts with my music. The consistent rhythm of my tracks are wavy & just to create a good smooth vibe. Depending on my mood in the studio. The use of Saxophone/synths etc are all parts of my creating process which never dies out.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I like the process.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Most times I would listen to a beat, if I like it, I would create some flows/ideas around the BPM/rhythm/flow of the track immediately. MOST TIMES. But sometimes, you might catch me up at 1am-4am looking into the sky getting inspiration, jotting down lyrical ideas, then listen to a beat then fresh out those ideas into the sequence melody/rhythm of the beat. Off course this could slightly change in the studio, it’s just the energy you receive in the studio that gives you more creativity juice.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Nothing man. I just pull the triggers and get creative with it all.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: To be candid, the FULL journey is still a gobsmacking point for me till date. But if I was to highlight a point, it would be the performance I had at New Zealand Fashion Week, I think in the year, 2019.
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