Artists speak musical inspiration and turn-offs
Odunsi The Engine, SGaWD, Smada and more briefly speak musical inspiration and turn-offs.
Creatives play a very special role in the world. They have an underlying responsibility to a wide group of people majorly as a result of their output, read work. This is partly why people may feel close, or attached to a creative that they perhaps do not actually share a meaningful bond with. It is important to note that developing feelings, often even grandiose, to a creative person does not necessarily connote a negative trait. I mean, we all do to some extent.
Different names might come up for everyone, depending on which genre they mainly favour or enjoy and what really gets them going. While I am far from a ‘music head’ as one could possibly be (I basically only listen to music in the car) I find that when I listen to some of the artists I enjoy, I get curious. I’m curious to know what inspires them, what might tick them off in a record and a million other questions.
B-Side has the interview prompt and this time, I wield the power. So, I decided to briefly speak to five different artists, each operating in their own field with very stand-out personalities. SGawd, an incredible rapper, R’n’b Princess, whose path is all in the name, SVDNEY, who stuns on the timeline with his vocals, Smada, another incredible rapper and Odunsi, our resident alte-in-chief.
These interviews have been slightly edited for clarity.
SGaWD
What kind of music inspires you during your music-making process?
Basically, anything I have on rotation. I listen to a lot of music at the moment, so I am really big on vibing to everyday favourites.
What’s a big turn off when you listen to music?
I hate weak bars or riffs and runs. Big turn off.
Have you ever gotten tired of your own music?
Not really honestly. I try to make the process (music-making) as fun as possible. And I tend to meet interesting people in the industry with fresh ideas down the line, which makes everything more exciting.
Odunsi The Engine
What kind of music inspires you during your music-making process?
Highlife songs for sure, fast beats tend to get me going.
What’s a big turn off when you listen to music?
I hate when the flows are not well thought out and blended. It makes me feel like the song could sound so much better as a whole.
Have you ever gotten tired of your own music?
My direction has changed so much from when I first started music and I have nitpicky tendencies, so often I will hate on my old songs. But all in all, my work is super special to me and I would not have it any other way.
Smada
What kind of music inspires you during your music-making process?
I get inspired by random things but talking specifically about music, I guess I listen to a lot of sad songs. I believe we are lowkey all sad in some ways and I tend to make music for everyone. Trying to help them feel they are not alone is the goal. Also, I listen to some of my favourites and channel vibes from them.
What’s a big turn off when you listen to music?
I think there are some unnecessary elements that disturb the art of a song. Like when something is not needed but it is still added and it ruins the whole song [for me] so yeah.
Have you ever gotten tired of your own music?
Several times. One time critics made me hate my own song but I have grown past that and also when I make new stuff, I tend to get tired of old stuff.
R’n’bPrincess
What kind of music inspires you during your music-making process?
I love songs that give a good vibe—catchy hooks, a crazy bridge with great singing and a good message, and I am sold. I am not really too picky when it comes to the genre, as long as it picks up my mood or gets me in a calm state.
What’s a big turn off when you listen to music?
I find it difficult to enjoy songs with a lot of different or thoughtless transitions going on. I think it is also very off-putting to hear off-key and sharp notes.
Have you ever gotten tired of your own music?
All the time. Sometimes the process to release takes so long, I am already fully sick of the song by the time we’re on the roll-out. It does not feel great, but I think it is almost unfair to ourselves as artists, we grow and evolve so quickly but that should not shit on our older versions or songs. I am definitely dealing with it better now than in my earlier years.
SVDNEY
What kind of music inspires you during your music-making process?
Any type of music basically. I love to listen to a mix of genres.
What’s a big turn off when you listen to music?
Nothing much actually, I just hate hearing too many Tags on a song e.g. Producer tag, Artiste tag, Label tag, Mixing engineers tag. Omo.
Have you ever gotten tired of your own music?
No, I think that happens when an artist has a hit song and keeps performing or hearing it all the time. I have not jumped on that wave yet but hopefully soon.