Rising Star: CHEMMIE
Chemmie Music has it: effortless confidence and flow, style in abundance. Kemi Fagboro grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, as an extrovert, but since finding her voice as Chemmie, she's taken her singular blend of Dance Hall Riddim & Afrobeats and made them unique. One major single into her career, Chemmie gradually, but somehow remains remarkably unphased, as if success was never in doubt. After her new single, Chemmie connected with our founder Pelumi Eko to discuss staying true to yourself, even when it feels impossible.
WEDNESDAY 8:30 PM OCTOBER 6 2023 LAGOS
CHEMMIE: How are you doing?
PELUMI EKO: I'm good. How you been?
CHEMMIE: I've been cool.
PELUMI EKO: You been working?
CHEMMIE: Mm..hmm. I'm in Lagos. Locked in every single day.
Supporting Lines;
PELUMI EKO: Mm.hmm. That sounds refreshing. Yeah. So, we love your music: let's discuss. You are a cover for the hip-hop publication, Issue V. The last music act that sat down with us to share her story just as you are about to do was DMW's first lady, Liya. So tell me, how elated are you doing this and what was Childhood background like for you?
PELUMI EKO: What are your happiest memories from teenage years? Tell me
CHEMMIE: One of my happiest memories is from high school, when I discovered my songwriting skills. It was during prep and I was finding it difficult to assimilate anything. I started writing down some ideas and imagination at the back of my notepad to keep myself occupied. I was thinking of a tune as I was writing, and before I realised it, I was singing it out. The person seated next to me overheard and she immediately liked it. Her reaction was, "Wow, this is really nice!" Before I knew it, word had spread among my classmates that I wrote a song. My seniors would invite me to their class to sing for them. My juniors would come to my room to sing for them.
I remember one time I sang "So Beautiful" by Asa for some juniors in my room and they were crying because they started missing their mothers. It was fun and I would say the beginning of my music career happened at that amazing high school time.
PELUMI EKO: What would you describe the Relationship with your parents like?
CHEMMIE: My parents have always been supportive of my love for music. Their unwavering support has been my foundation, and I'm truly grateful for the love and advice they give me all the time. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. My relationship with them has been incredibly supportive and nurturing throughout my journey as a singer.
PELUMI EKO: Mm.. hmm. So What would you say were the core values passed unto you by them?
CHEMMIE: My parents have taught me the value of honesty, perseverance, and a strong sense of cultural pride. These core values are at the heart of my craft and it has allowed me to connect with my roots and express my experiences. They've also instilled in me the importance of hard work and tenacity, which has been crucial in my journey as a singer and songwriter.
These core values have played a pivotal role in influencing both my music and my life. Overall, I carry with me the rich heritage and strong work ethic that my parents have impacted, and it continues to be a driving force in my career.
PELUMI EKO: Asides your parents, whom would you claim played a crucial role into what you have become today? Tell me.
CHEMMIE: My cousin 'Mr Deji,' who introduced me to the recording studio for my first session, was the first of many people to play a significant role in my career. There are a lot of people who have made significant contributions to my career and I'm grateful to all of them because without them I wouldn't be here today.
PELUMI EKO: We can't entirely talk about your Navigation into the music scene without briefly delving into your educational background. What did you study in school?
CHEMMIE: I studied Microbiology at Obafemi Awolowo University.
PELUMI EKO: Why did you choose music, Was there any particular trigger for you?
CHEMMIE: I chose music because it is the universal language that allows me to express my emotions, connect with people, and share stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. Like I said earlier, music for me is innate because I was born into a family that likes music and has been making music even before I was born. This built my passion for rhythm and melody, which inspired me to start writing music.
Also, reading about musicians like Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Joseph Bologne, the first black composer in France, who proved the unifying power of music added to my inspiration to start making music. My music draws inspiration from the many and varied cultures, rhythms, and tales that make up our civilization. My career has also been greatly influenced by the affection and support of my followers and the music industry.
Supporting Lines;
PELUMI EKO: When you think of your success now and how the society has influenced your music so far, what kind of thoughts do you have?
CHEMMIE: When I reflect on my success today, i believe that my success is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of music to unite people across borders and backgrounds. So, reflecting on my success today as an Afrobeats singer and song-writer, I cannot but acknowledge the profound impact that the society has had on my journey.
PELUMI EKO: Tell me, What would you describe your Sound as?
CHEMMIE: I'm passionate about creating music that crosses boundaries and connects people from different backgrounds. My craft is a fusion of rhythmic African beats, soulful melodies, and powerful lyrics that tell stories of human experiences.
Whenever I write a song, my aim is always to inspire, uplift, and bring joy to my listeners while honoring the rich cultural heritage of Afrobeat. My music is a reflection of my roots and a celebration of the diversity and vibrancy of the world we live in.
PELUMI EKO: What is the most challenging moment of your career?
CHEMMIE: I'd say the most challenging moments of my career was when I decided to pursue music as a female artist. I had friends and family who came to my dm to convince me to do gospel. One even went as far as telling me "God told him to tell me to do gospel." Personally, I knew it was going to be hard breaking into a genre dominated by male artists and facing stereotypes and biases.
However, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge norms and pave the way for more women in afrobeat. It was and is still challenging but my immense determination and resilience so far has made the journey incredibly rewarding, and I'm proud of the progress I have made.
Supporting Lines;
PELUMI EKO: What would you describe your experience working with established brands and what value has it added to your Brand?
CHEMMIE: Working with established brands like Goldberg at the Hangout with Karkarkey some time last year and Flutterwave at the flutterwave flytime fest concert has been an amazing adventure for me. It's not just about the performance. As a student of the Music Business Academy (MBA) for Africa 2023, I have also had the opportunity to collaborate with established brands like VBank and Ciif Africa.
A path that began with receiving a scholarship from VBank as a student of the MBA for Africa 2023, continued with working in the marketing and public relations department of one of the record labels, and ended with becoming the Deputy Chief Marketing Officer of the MBA for Africa 2023. Collaborating with these well-known brands has increased my reach by connecting me with a wider audience and it has also lent a sense of credibility to my brand. Performing at the Flytime Fest concert, where I got to share the stage with A-lists artists like Wizkid and Wande coal amongst many others. These experiences have truly helped in shaping my career and brand identity and I'm grateful for the opportunities they provided.
PELUMI EKO: Which Nigerian artistes do you regard as mentors?
CHEMMIE: There are many great Artistes I see as mentors but to mention a few: Tiwa savage, Adekunle Gold, Asa and Niniola.
PELUMI EKO: Which particular music collaboration placed your feet firmly into the music scene?
CHEMMIE: I haven't worked on any collaboration that I can directly link to being established in the music industry. Instead, what has helped me so far has been the support of all of my fans, my dedication to crafting unique songs, and the hard work of my entire team. I'm constantly evolving and open to exciting collaborations in the future that will continue to shape my path as a singer and songwriter.
PELUMI EKO: Chemmie, We have the sweetness of your lyrics, but we also have the cleverness of alot of your lyrics; Let's take your new single "Balance it" for example. Break it down for me.
CHEMMIE: "Balance It" is a lively amapiano party-themed song produced by Rumble. It talks about a rich and extravagant lady ready to spend money for the sake of enjoyment. The lyrics goes like: "Mo she're wonu agbo, mon nawo lori agbo." Meaning "I spray money as I step on the stage" "Gucci, Fendi on me, all expenses on me" simply means I'm putting on designers and I'm ready to foot all the expenses at the party. "Ma j'aye ori mi, bata mi okan le." This means I would enjoy my life, my shoes won't touch the ground.
So back in the day, when Kings or Queens wanted to move around, they always carried them in palanquins. So when I said my shoes wouldn't touch the ground, I thought of being carried in a palanquin and enjoying the royal treatment. "To ba she're fun mi, ma sanwo ori e" means if you make me happy, I would pay your groom price.
PELUMI EKO: There's this reverence and utmost respect that comes with the name Chemmie many Nigerians today know you as, what inspired that and how have you been able to sustain that name?
CHEMMIE: My stage name "CHEMMIE" was inspired by my brother. My brother was the inspiration behind the name 'Chemmie' and he got that by tweaking the spelling of my government name Oluwakemi. He would always spell my name as "Chemmy," which I thought was unique because even when you pronounce it, it still sounds like my name 'Kemi'. So I decided to make a tiny adjustment to the name by changing the "y" to a "ie."
PELUMI EKO: Since then, having built a large fan base that listens to your music, how are you hoping to keep them glued to your market for many years to come?
CHEMMIE: I hope to keep my listeners coming back for more by continuously posting new content on my page, interacting with my followers on Twitter, and feeding my fans with freestyles even when I'm not releasing music.
PELUMI EKO: ON THE GLOBAL RECOGNITION OF AFROBEATS MUSIC, UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUX OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENT & GRANTS FROM FOREIGN BODIES WHICH HAS UNDOUBTEDLY SUPPORTED MANY ACTS, IN THE NEXT 10-15 YEARS, DO YOU THINK OUR GENRE WILL STILL BE PRESERVED OR BECOME A THING OF THE PAST?
CHEMMIE: Mm..hmm. I love this question. Afrobeats has surely reached new heights as a result of its widespread popularity and the entrance of foreign financial investment. I believe that Afrobeat is so unique that you can infuse it in any genre you can think of and it will still continue to resonate with audiences worldwide in the next 10-15 years. Even in the next 20 years, I do not see Afrobeat becoming a thing of the past but it will continue to evolve and thrive. Creatives are not sleeping, they are doing crazy stuff as the world evolves. If something else comes after amapiano we would incorporate afrobeat into it.
The global recognition and financial support Afrobeat has received have provided a solid foundation for its future growth, ensuring that it remains a powerful force in the music industry for years to come.
PELUMI EKO: What other opportunities are you hoping to see more African creatives in the industry have access to?
CHEMMIE: African creatives deserve more opportunities for global recognition and collaboration. I hope to see African acts have access to top-notch music education and mentoring programmes to develop talents from a young age. Secondly, support for copyright protection and fair compensation for artists, so they can sustain their careers.
Lastly, more support from the government and business sector including grant programmes and financing efforts, as well as more intercultural partnerships to promote African music on a global scale. Fostering these opportunities may allow the next generation of African artists to thrive in the music business and make their mark on the world stage.
PELUMI EKO: Chemmie, tell me. What other accomplishments of yours would you like to pursue in future?
CHEMMIE: I hope to continue advancing the frontiers of Afrobeats and spreading its vibrant rhythms and messages globally. I also aim to collaborate with renowned artists, create timeless records, and organise spectacular live performances that connect with people globally. My goal is to leave a lasting legacy and encourage people to embrace the beauty of Afrobeats and its cultural significance.
PELUMI EKO: Label Owners Reposting up-and-coming artists covers on their pages; Do you think it's the best for them or it's exposing them early enough to the industry hazards, not being a master of their craft yet. What's your opinion on this?
CHEMMIE: Reposting covers by up-and-coming musicians on the pages of record labels can have both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it gives the artist exposure to a larger audience and prospective industry connections, both of which may be beneficial for their career. On the other hand, it also carries the possibility of risks including early exposure, pressure to conform to industry standards, and limited artistic growth.
I'd say it depends on the particular circumstance and the artist's readiness to navigate these challenges. It is also important that label owners support the development of these artists while juggling publicity and preserving their integrity.
PELUMI EKO: Chemmie, that's all for now! I've got full download, everything I wanted to ask, when I told my team we needed to cook something with you.
CHEMMIE: This interview is crazy. By the way, if I were to be in the same city again. I'd love to link up and vibe.
PELUMI EKO: Yeah most definitely.
Comments
Post a Comment