Rising Star: SALLE (THE ICON)
Salle has it: effortless confidence and flow, style in abundance. Kosisochukwu Gospel Peters grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, as an introvert, but since finding her voice as Salle, she’s taken her singular blend of R&B and Afrobeats and made them global. One Single into her career, Salle after getting the world's attention to her music in 2021, gradually, but somehow remains remarkably unphased, as if success was never in doubt. After her debut single, Salle connected with our founder Pelumi Eko to discuss staying true to yourself, even when it feels impossible.
SALLE: How are you doing?
PELUMI EKO: I'm good. How you been?
SALLE: I've been cool.
PELUMI EKO: You've been working?
SALLE: Mm-hmm. Not really after I dropped my new single. Been locked here in Lagos all day
PELUMI EKO: Your new single "ICON" is a great record and gathering amazing numbers I must say
SALLE: I appreciate so much.
PELUMI EKO: Absolutely, the pleasure is mine! So we love your Music: Let's Discuss. You are a Cover Star for the Hip-hop publication Volume 5, the last music act that walked into this room, to share her story, same as you're about to do right now was DMW's first lady Liya; So tell me, how elated are you doing this and what was Childhood background like for you?
SALLE: I feel very pleased to be here. Thank you for your interest in me. My family life as a child was very much normal my parents did their best and are still doing considering that whatever you’re used to or grew up with is your definition of normal. We weren’t always together because of things we pursued even at an early age but we felt each other.
PELUMI EKO: Mm..hmm what are the happiest memories from your teenage years?
SALLE: Happiest memories from teenage age would be definitely be the ones I snuck out to have because I was preoccupied with learning a skill and I would only sneak out with friends to see a movie, watch artists perform and the rest. Everything else was boring.
PELUMI EKO: How would you describe relationship with your parents like?
SALLE: Relationship with my parents was very much normal, like Nigerian normal, I wasn’t so free with them because they used to be so strict and daring. They had their way of discipline which is understandable but I was restricted a whole lot.
PELUMI EKO: So what would you say were the core values passed unto you by them?
SALLE: One of the core values passed unto me by my parents is most especially, my mom passed on food management, money management, house responsibilities because it was her specialty but I’m lucky it was passed on to me considering it’s been really helpful and what has developed me into whom I have become today.
PELUMI EKO: Asides from your parents, whom would you claim played a crucial role into what you have become today?
SALLE: The society at large has helped me in one way or the other. It has contributed a lot.
PELUMI EKO: We can't entirely talk about your Divine entry into the Music Space without briefly talking about your Education; If I'm not wrong, You finished this year What did you study in school?
SALLE: I studied Political science/public administration.
PELUMI EKO: On your Career Background; Share with me
My career doesn’t have a background per say. I’m building one for my self because I had little interest in music before I started out and music was the least I expected to be off me. I was more engaged in fashion than I was with music but as time went on I had to agree that music was for me.
PELUMI EKO: We have the sweetness of your lyrics, but we also have the cleverness of alot of your lyrics; let's take taking a career in music, was there any particular trigger? Break it down for me.
SALLE: Indeed there was a trigger, my trigger was my viral video alongside the talent people could see in me that I didn’t use to acknowledge.
After my video went viral I still had self doubts as to what exactly people are so intrigued and fascinated about. I got to admit and finally listen to myself for the first time and I embraced music dearly.
PELUMI EKO: After your freestyle video went viral on social media that year, you suddenly became a controversial topic subject to the materials around that release; i'm curious, how did that video come about Salle?
SALLE: That video was shot beside my moms shop in the east, and it was politely asked for by a family friend because he discovered me singing that day in my mom's shop and said” come let’s make a video this your voice is touchy”. I agreed but not to a camera he insisted I put my face. We proceeded to make the video before he asked me to take use something that represents my background which is what my mom do (sells food) I took the tray because I use that tray to serve people across the street who can’t walk to the shop. So that was a good representation of where I’m from and then we proceeded and that was how it came about.
PELUMI EKO: Mm..hmm
SALLE: Yeah that's it.
PELUMI EKO: What would you describe your Sound as? Tell me
SALLE: I'd describe my craft as conscious ART. I’m well aware of how I make myself feel about my craft and I’m also aware that it awakens inner thoughts and assumptions about existence. So I put it out for the world to share with me and truly it is conscious because my art makes you feel questioned, awakened, aware and enlightened. Also I admire the sensitivity that comes with my craft.
PELUMI EKO: Describe that feeling that kept you in awe shortly after you got the world's attention to your music; and what are the strategies already in place to have you marketable for years to come?
SALLE: Yes, in details it was overwhelming and I can’t actually describe how excited I was but I was more intrigued on how I got the world's attention with my voice.
I reckon my fire keeps burning and in years to come because I’m consciously engaged in my craft so I intend burning for the longest. I understand that my time here in the music industry isn't for a short period of time, as such I have to conciously develop my craft, so I can remain marketable to my audience.
PELUMI EKO: Into your music career so far, which moment would you describe challenging?
SALLE: Honestly every moment is challenging. From the moment I decided to embrace music it’s been the most from recording, strategizing, putting out music and engaging my audience. The whole process is challenging, the pressure that comes with being consistent Regardless, it’s overwhelming. Glad I am here.
PELUMI EKO: Which Nigerian Artistes do you regard as mentors?
SALLE: I really don't have a particular one, however, one I regard as mentor, my biggest honor to Dj Wysei
PELUMI EKO: Beautiful! Love to see that
SALLE: Thank you.
PELUMI EKO: On your newly released single titled "ICON"; Tell me about it. How did it happen and who produced that record?
SALLE: ICON was recorded in London by ATG. ICON is a song dear to my heart because I wrote expressing my self and my existence as a whole and people loved it! So, what more can I ask for lol?
PELUMI EKO: Speaking of the wild reception Afrobeats has received globally, In recent years, Understanding the influx of foreigners Investments on our music, which has definitely supported many music acts today; In the next ten to fifteen years, Do you see our Heritage still preserved or become a thing of History?
SALLE: Afrobeats has only gotten bigger over the years and every now and then we have up and rising artist who are ready to take over , not just ready but capable to. The world is quite flexible and accommodating now which has made music even more fun, just as how every person can communicate through it and it’s not restricted by language, tribe or space. This is an upper hand for Afrobeat and I reckon we are not settling for less therefore in a decade from today we are still burning and piercing every continent as we should.
I’m hoping to see Afrobeat win worldwide
I’m looking forward to seeing African creatives doing more than the world expect of us.
PELUMI EKO: What other accomplishments of yours would you like to pursue in future? Tell me
SALLE: I'm pursuing everything good for me.
PELUMI EKO: Label owners reposting Artistes music covers on their pages; Do you think it's the best for them, or it's barely exposing them early enough to the Industry Hazards, which could make them fade out within a short period, not being a master of their crafts yet?
SALLE: Personally speaking; As an artist who got recognition from social media exposure I wouldn’t object how overwhelmed I was with the sudden/unexpected responses, promises, attention and the expectations that comes after that.
However, I won’t say it was a wrong thing to happen to me, Indeed I still feel the pressure but at the same time I’m beginning to see what the world saw in me too and that’s what I’m holding onto and climbing gradually. So in relation to your question. The industry Hazards are 30% of the world and the rest are impressed by what you do, So I think no one has control over the industry and no one can predict who is coming to devour you so I might as well just be out there and try.
PELUMI EKO: A Special shout-out to anyone out there?
SALLE: Shout out The ALMIGHTY. Also, a shout out also to Tunde Ednut for his immense support and Shoutout to My Team
PELUMI EKO: That's all my questions. I've got full download. Everything I wanted to ask when I told my team we needed to cook something with you.
SALLE: Oh, yeah.
SALLE: This interview is crazy, by the way. If we’re ever in the same city again, I’d definitely love to link up and vibe.
PELUMI EKO: Yeah most definitely.
Stylists: Hair, Make-up & Nails: Magic Stylee.
Set Design: Starz Records.
Record Label & Artist Management: Starz Records.
Movement Direction: Oluwajoba Joshua, President at Pelumi Magazine.
Digital Technician: Temitayo Abiodun, Editor at Pelumi Magazine.
Publishing of Article: Sharon Joseph & Rapheal
Location: Lagos State, Nigeria.
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