By Chidirim Ndeche
26 October 2024 |
4:50 am
Gimba’s gong first struck throughout Afrobeats’ corridors in 2022, when he made a duet with Wizkid for DJ Tunez’ Blessings. The tune, amongst his first releases, catapulted the younger musician, born Al-Hassan Gimba Chukwubuikem, into the limelight as a promising Afrobeats act A product of the Sarz Academy, Gimba’s sojourn—from being in a recording camp…
Gimba’s gong first struck throughout Afrobeats’ corridors in 2022, when he made a duet with Wizkid for DJ Tunez’ Blessings. The tune, amongst his first releases, catapulted the younger musician, born Al-Hassan Gimba Chukwubuikem, into the limelight as a promising Afrobeats act
A product of the Sarz Academy, Gimba’s sojourn—from being in a recording camp for rising acts to charting globally with one among his debut information—is a uncommon feat. With a Hausa father and an Igbo mom, the Lagos-based singer believes his distinctive mix of Soul, RnB, and Pop can foster unity throughout the nation.
He channels this sentiment in his debut prolonged play, Amince Da Tsari, a five-track assortment that highlights his experiences navigating life’s hurdles, together with bitter-sweet love memoirs just like the Olamide-assisted club-hit, Tingrado and the sensual bop Solely U.READ ALSO: When is subsequent Grammys and methods to watch 2025 nominations?
On this week’s Guardian Music, Gimba takes us by way of his vibrant take-off, reminiscing his come-up journey, artistic course of, and his mission to make music that evokes the following era of artists.
How did you provide you with your identify?Gimba is my actual identify. I’m from Nasarawa State, and in Hausa, ‘Gimba’ means stronger.
How lengthy did it take you to work on this challenge?I made the fourth tune on the EP whereas at SARZ Academy in 2022. I recorded it in 2022, however the different songs have been recorded in 2023 and perhaps 2024. I don’t wish to say I spent two years making an EP, however I used to be making a variety of songs. Then I assumed, “What songs can I decide for this challenge?” I’ve many songs, however which of them can inform the story of this? I don’t know. That’s the creation of the challenge.
Inform us the way you found your musical expertiseRising up, I paid extra consideration to music than the traditional client, however I didn’t plan to be an artist. Till 2020, in the course of the pandemic, my sister mentioned, “No extra hiding. Put your self on the market.” So, I sang covers of Wurld and Adekunle Gold’s songs. That evening, I posted the quilt movies round 6 PM, and by 9 PM, Wurld had commented. Round midnight, Adekunle Gold additionally commented. The next week, I posted one other cowl video singing a Fireboy’s tune. Oxlade, Ckay, and Fireboy commented on the social media publish. I assumed that perhaps I ought to simply lock in, perceive my music and develop myself. For over a yr, I labored on this.
In UNILAG, I met Twitch Papi, my producer. Whereas finding out for my diploma, I’d lock myself within the studio day by day, recording new content material, feeling comfy with my voice, and discovering my distinctive sound. Then SARZ Academy posted a video searching for artists and producers. I utilized for the Excel Academy with Twitch Papi and OBO. Two weeks later, I obtained an electronic mail that I used to be picked. I submitted an unreleased tune. On the academy, I found my sound. Sarz guided us to keep away from mediocre music. After the academy, somebody invited me to a music recording camp. I collaborated with DJ Tunes on my breakout tune, Blessings and the remaining is historical past.
How did you navigate making different songs after that, regardless of the stress of viewers expectations?Actually, there was stress as a result of everyone’s totally different, and you need to adapt rapidly. I used to be nonetheless dwelling within the SARZ Academy with six different artists. We put out our album too. Clearly, I used to be being heard, however I used to be nonetheless below artist improvement. I needed to belief my course of, regardless of limitations. I wanted to place myself on the market however didn’t perceive methods to navigate the music business. All the things taking place to me was a primary. So, on the finish of the day, it’s about your thoughts.
Stroll us by way of your artistic course of. For me, music may be very private. All my songs are tales about me. Though it’s viable, I not often create music primarily based on vibes. As a substitute, I attempt to make the vibe actual and share genuine experiences. To attain this, I must really feel linked to the music. My artistic course of is non secular and intimate. Typically, I desire minimal studio presence—simply me and the producer. Sometimes, I’ll ask the producer to go away, eager to document alone. Solitude permits me to clear my thoughts. I prioritise self-expression, untainted by others’ opinions. Earlier than contemplating exterior suggestions, I mirror internally. My ideas are my information. If I always search others’ validation, I’ll lose authenticity. My course of is deeply private. I guard my artistic house, making certain real self-expression.
What are your strongest influences, musically?This challenge is a powerful division of jazz as a result of jazz music is one thing I fell deeply in love with. I needed folks to grasp I’m being experimental with this challenge, being myself. I’m nonetheless in love with jazz, however all the pieces taking place round me impacts my music notion. Earlier than, for me, jazz was principally stress-free music, besides after I added African parts. Blessings feels like that—deep and considerate.
Touring golf equipment not too long ago to advertise my EP made me evolve personally. I’m extra in contact with membership music now. I didn’t know membership songs earlier than; now, I really feel I’ve developed. The following challenge will differ from what’s already out as a result of I’ve met extra folks. I’m extra assured, uncovered, and keen. My identification stays rooted in my voice and inventive statements. I’m nonetheless myself, however extra polished.
What are the core messages you have been making an attempt to place out on this challenge? The title of this challenge alone is a Hausa phrase which means “belief the method.” So, that is me making an attempt to inform my very own story in my very own method, no matter pressures. With this challenge, I’m making an attempt to inform folks to belief their course of. The monitor, Nightmares, which begins the EP, was impressed by pressure-related nightmares. Two tracks have been impressed by stress, and three have been impressed by love. It’s simply me telling folks to belief their course of, even when life will get loopy.
Who would you prefer to duet a tune with now?I might like to work with Wande Coal once more, Runtown, and Tems. I really feel Wande Coal is the perfect singer and he understands music. I might like to be on a document with him. Runtown has an identification for music by way of the sort of melodies he makes use of. It’s one thing I hook up with on a deep degree. Tems is one individual I really feel has been true to herself from the onset. However there are additionally lots of people I want to make music with.
While you’re not making music, what do you do?I like to play basketball. Just lately, I began skating rather a lot. I like to play with my guys; I’m fairly a playful individual. And I prefer to spend time with my household, my family members, check out new stuff, meet folks, and have enjoyable.
What’s your imaginative and prescient as Gimba in the long term? In the long term, I need to have the ability to construct a neighborhood of people that consider in themselves, it doesn’t matter what, irrespective of how totally different or bizarre it’s. I really feel I’m right here to encourage lots of people. I wish to encourage younger folks to do what they need, regardless, of their method.
I deeply love the humanities, except for doing anything. I’m deeply in love with music and sound. I wish to inform tales, train folks, and share concepts by way of my music. As a result of my dad is Hausa and my mother is Igbo, I really feel like I’m a child who will help unite Nigeria. I grew up in Lagos. I’m Yoruba by affiliation. I like spreading like to the world by way of my artwork. That’s my imaginative and prescient. So I’m simply taking it one step at a time, with each challenge I put out.
