IN CONVERSATION WITH MINZ
interview JANA LETONJA
Nigerian rising star Minz just released his newest single ‘Diallo’, in collaboration with afrobeats royalty Tekno, from his highly anticipated debut album ‘By Any Minz’. He seamlessly blend genres and his sound highlights his innovative approach to music.
Minz, you just released your latest single ‘Diallo’, an infectious summer anthem. Tell us more about this song and what inspired it.
First off, I’d like to give credit where it’s due. This record came to life as a result of the synergy between myself and my German brothers, 255. I flew from Paris to Berlin, locked in with them and honestly, we created pure magic. I heard my producer play a guitar that transported me to a beach on the coast of West Africa. It felt like I was there myself. My trips to the other parts of Africa really played a role in the inspiration I got for this song.
You did it in collaboration with the afrobeats royalty Tekno. How was it working with him, and how did your collaborative process look like?
Working with Tekno, for me, is such a full circle moment because he’s always been a big inspiration. The energy was pure when we met and we connected instantly. He expressed his love for the record and I created the verse space for him, he recorded and did his thing ,and the rest is history.
The single pays homage to your African heritage, reflecting your love and admiration for Africa’s diverse cultures. Why is incorporating your heritage so important for you?
Incorporating my heritage is very vital to me because my heritage is such a significant part of who I am and has a key role to play in the music that I make. As Nigerians, culture is non-transactional to us as it is the foundation of what Afro-beats is today. The fact that pacesetters like 2Face and Fela thrived without denying our roots and the embodiment of all we stand for has been a motivation for artists like me to also carry on in the same path.
Why does ‘Diallo’ hold such a special meaning for you personally?
It’s a very special record, one of the most common African names apparently. So for me, I feel like it’s a whole lot of people being represented through a song.
How did your interest in music begin and how would you describe your musical journey so far?
The title of my album says it all, ‘By Any Minz’. You don’t even want to know what my eyes have seen in this life, but regardless of all the ups and downs, I’m here and it should serve as a lesson to every young person that you’re going to achieve your aims, by any means. Keep working hard and smart, be consistent, stay humble, and the Lord will butter your bread.
Who are your biggest musical influences, from all around the world and from any genre?
It’s actually a very long list and will take forever before we leave here, but first on my list is one of the world’s greatest to ever do it, Baba Fela. It’s needless to say he opened the door for many generations and we are all still enjoying the impact of Abami Eda till today. Another great is Mama Angelique Kidjo. Her tenacity, passion and dedication will always be a driving force for me. And definitely, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, Wande Coal, Drake and Gunna. These super talented artists have made great impacts in my music career so far, and I’m forever thankful for the gift of them to this world.
Your music is bridging the gap between the alté scene and mainstream afrobeats. How would you describe your musical style, and why is bridging this gap so important for you?
You know when the world needed Superman and Clark Kent had to get in the booth? This is exactly how this feels for me. I exhausted the patience to wait for a bridge, and I had to get it done myself. And of course, this doesn’t go without due recognition to the incredible superstars that have been killing it before me, like BOJ, Ajebutter22, BlackMagic and a whole lot of other amazing artists. My sound is constantly evolving and I think it’s the future, but I wouldn’t want to box it with a name. I would say for sure that the Minz sound is deeply rooted in the African roots.
Besides being an artist, you are also a producer. What do you enjoy most about producing music for other artists, and how do you approach this process?
Believe me when I say the feeling is out of this world to hear the vocals of other artists on a beat you cooked.Such a sweet feeling. There’s not one way to approach a creative process, really. Sometimes, you have an outburst of energy and you just open your laptop and create the best beats ever, and other times, you just crawl with your emotions into creating sounds.
Tell us more about yourself, your other passions and hobbies.
I’m a very big lover of art. When you see Minz, you see an embodiment of art and every part of my creative process shows that. I also love traveling and exploring new places because it makes me see the world from an entirely different perspective, and that speaks to how I explore my thoughts and creative process.
Soon, you’ll also be releasing your debut album ‘By Any Minz’. What can we expect from it when it drops, and what inspired it as a whole?
You know when people talk about artists’ debut albums and how it changes their lives? This is my ‘broke and hungry’ Minz era. Certainly and honestly, it’s not something you’ve heard anywhere else before. It’s a homage to my African heritage, those before me and a reminder of where I am going. This album is so personal to me and you should anticipate the best music you’ve heard in a while. So, dust your speakers, clean your earphones and exercise maximum patience, ‘By Any Minz’ will be with you shortly.
What other exciting things do you have planned for the remainder of the year?
Honestly, there’s a whole lot coming. Of course, you know about the album, but I won’t let the cat out of the bag on other activities. Just know that there’s a lot coming.
