Award-Profitable Femi Leye from Lagos, Nigeria is absolutely immersed in music as a singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Femi has labored with some music idols resembling Youssou N’dour, Angelique Kidjo, Salif Keita, Akon, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Adekunle Gold, Johnny Drille, Ric Hassani, Brymo and extra.
Femi’s music is usually soothing and languid but extremely spirited. It’s heady and intoxicating, a deal with for the senses. His sound is formed by his heritage, music heroes and nostalgic eras.
As we speak he releases his newest single Igba Mi De (My Time Has Come). It’s a stunning tune with many aspects from passionate vocals, a winding melody, and a catchy refrain to soothing guitar. The mixture of English and Femi’s dialect Yoruba elevates it to a different stage totally.
We caught up with Femi Leye upon the discharge of his blissful new single to seek out out extra:
How would you describe your musical model to new listeners?
It’s a lovely combination of genuine African music with up to date sounds and a few Jazz.
Inform us about your new single Igba Mi De
Igba Mi De was written and produced once I was performing some reveals in America, I used to be staying with the Producer BEN OBI in Saint Paul, Minnesota and I remembered opening for Fally Ipupa, my efficiency was so nice he mentioned “I must Produce a Femi Leye file” so I wrote the tune the following day and we produced it within the night. The superb factor is that I recorded the guitars, keys, Rhodes, bass on the tune.
It’s undoubtedly one in all my favourite songs.
What had been your feelings whereas scripting this tune and what message would you wish to get throughout to listeners?
I used to be simply taking a look at my life man, removed from residence, doing what I like and principally sharing my story, you realize. Each time main up till that second. Igba Mi De is the story of my life, my success story and it’s the story of everybody that has gone via it man, and attending to that second the place all the pieces is beginning to make sense. No matter all of the trials and tribulations, you lastly made it.
What’s your earliest musical reminiscence?
Listening to King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Fela Kuti on my Dad’s file participant. I needed to play all of the devices immediately. I used to be simply fascinated with the sounds.
Which artists did you take heed to rising up?
King Sunny Ade, he was a Rockstar man. Fela Kuti was an innovator.
Lagbaja can also be one other artist I actually listened to. Later in life George Benson, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, Earl Klugh and so forth. I used to be obsessive about these guys. I learnt their strategies and various things from them. Within the 2000’s I used to be uncovered to John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr and different nice musicians.
How a lot do your Nigerian roots affect your music?
Quite a bit. I listened to musicians from the 60’s right down to the ’90s, they formed me. I found my African sounds via these guys.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist, performer, producer and composer – is there something that you simply discover significantly difficult or is there a expertise that comes extra naturally to you?
All of them come naturally to me, I take pleasure in creating music, taking part in totally different devices and figuring stuff out, I’m obsessive about sonics and the best way they make folks really feel, so I’m very comfy within the studio, however my favorite place on the earth is the STAGE as a result of I get to carry out these songs to the world, feels superb each time.
In the event you might return in time to an period of music, the place would you go?
The ’70s was a really fascinating period. The musicianship was insane, they usually had been superb creators. We’re nonetheless sampling these guys at the moment.
Is there wherever, particularly, you want to carry out? (A metropolis, venue or competition?)
London has a particular place in my coronary heart, however I see myself as a citizen of the world so each competition, venue, Enviornment, Stadium, Metropolis that can have me, I’m prepared to present them an incredible present.
You will have labored with many musicians – should you might collaborate with anybody who would it not be?
John Mayer, Bruno Mars. They’re superb musicians.
What are the highlights in your music profession thus far?
Efficiency to a crowd of 2500 in Minnesota for my first American present. The reception was insane. I’ll always remember.
What albums, songs, music movies, movies, TV sequence, podcasts and books helped you thru the pandemic.
Chillhop on YouTube, I listened to Lofi every single day. Watched numerous motion pictures and sequence.
What evokes and motivates you?
Every thing round me, conversations with folks, random sounds, Automotive horns Lol
What’s the greatest recommendation anybody has ever given you?
Be the perfect model of your self, not another person.
What’s subsequent for Femi Leye?
Engaged on my third album, experimenting with some new sounds, wanting ahead to sharing it with the world when it’s achieved.
Igba Mi De is out now.
