Introducing Singer/Songwriter and prodigal performer Pappylee...
Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you so far as an artist?
I’m not going to lie, it's been a little rough, I guess most artists have their good and bad times, I started this year without a sponsor and it’s affecting me drastically but I’ve been good and I’m about to put out new music hoping it could change the tide.
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
I lived in a town where you think you’re better than other artists, I mean if your freestyle is top-notch you’re the best, they call you for shows and people come to watch you, but then I started listening to radio stations and reaching out to other upcoming artists from another state entirely. I had to step up my game and I saw the difference and ever since then I’ve grown in so many ways I can’t imagine, my writing skills, thinking like a fan, promotions E.t.c. How did you come up with your latest project?
My current project is STORY which I recorded 2020 and released 2021 but my latest project I’m about to release is a song I actually wrote when I was doing My National Diploma in a polytechnic with a friend, so I was recording these new songs and I wasn’t feeling it at all so I decided to record the ones I’ve wrote before and this particular song was just it and i rewrite some parts and recorded, everyone around me then including the producer felt it
It’s called “CLOUD24”.
Where are you from originally?
I’m from Nigeria, Ekiti state, I was born in Kaduna state, but grew up in Lagos State, I’ve never visited my home town though.
Where do you live now?
I live in Lagos state, Nigeria.
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
Yes it does, Lagos is full of clubs and entertainment and shows, you can’t even imagine.
Also it is said many Celebrities made it in Lagos, even business and politics made it here. What was the inspiration to make music your career?
At first it was an hobby, later I discovered it could actually change my life, Music was more than an Hobby, it’s a career, it’s a job it’s a Business, it was the only option then for me then due to the town I’m in, I thought I could learn some works but It didn’t work out, I failed, either end up fighting or the boss supporting others and leaving me out like I was the black sheep, and I am an emotional human being, I take almost everything serious. I see music as my wildcard out of the trenches, I really want to make it for so many reasons. How do you want to shape your career? Mmm Music is just the way of speaking to the world, but I want to do way more than interact with the world or make the world accept me, I want to shape my career as one of the greatest to ever do it, it might not be the song I sing Or write it might just be a way to solve conflicts, to help less privileged and the privileged, Racism, Protesters and so many National crisis as an music Artiste.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when it comes to your music?
Sometimes i do, cause I have unreleased songs but the music game changes every now and then, and you have to adapt and sometimes unreleased singles might just be like starting afresh or old news at that period and might not catch the listeners ear. So I have to write something new in that current situation.
And if I’m not getting the music, I go with the flow, anytime something beautiful comes to my mind or I sound so great with my lyrics, I get to work no matter where I am.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
I actually finish a song before giving it a befitting title, I know it’s not how it works for a songwriter but anytime I picture a song it’s hard for me to write, so I record first and pick my title from the chorus or word that best described the song cause I Listen over and over before giving my song a title.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
Yeah it is hard. Especially when it’s a hit song well received by the audience but couldn’t promote it further to a bigger audience which could cause a breakthrough song and I have to be consistent so I just had to drop another song not to lose my current fan base. It’s hard actually.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
Yeah all my songs, sometimes I cry while writing and when listening to the instrumental because I always picture myself in every word I write but no one knows this about me even the producers I work with.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't listened to it yet?
AfroSoul Africa.
Where do they go to listen NOW?
SoundCloud and Audiomack are the best I can recommend for now. What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
Prayers from fans and random elderly people complimenting me I was shocked but I also knew it was a sign I can do this.
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
God works miraculously, apart from dropping new songs, I don’t know but I hope for endorsements and sponsorships, maybe a label signing or partnership.
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
For now I don’t have any booked show, but I could just go to a club to perform and see reactions and Criticism but I’m sure it’s going to blow their minds away, especially the ladies lol.
Give us all your socials and links so fans can link up with you!
Twitter/Instagram/YouTube: @Pappyleeforever Facebook: Ayeni Emmanuel Pappy