#afrobeats interview

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AFROBEATS CITY MEETS TRAYC SELASI

Following the release of her new sophomore EP, The Art & The Muse, Afrobeats City caught up with talented dancer, singer & songwriter Trayc Selasi to find out about her journey from a dancer to a musician, the creative process behind  The Art & The Muse, the impact her Ghanaian roots has on her music, and more. 

You started your career on the Afrobeats scene as a dancer before becoming a musician - how would you describe your journey?

My career began in 2012, during my dance cameo in Fuse ODG’s “Antenna” video, and again for “Dangerous Love” in 2014 with my dance partner Move with KB, which gained over 22 million+ views on YouTube. It has been a beautiful journey; all the ups and downs have made me who I am today. I started as a dancer but making music was always my ultimate goal. I toured and performed on big stages for Fuse ODG with my dance partner at the time and it was so amazing as I learnt so much on the job. I was quite observant with everything music around me which kept my interest going. I learnt how to record and Engineer in the studio, engineering for some great artists also Fuse ODG himself at times. Everyday there was something new to learn although it was not always easy, it was all worth it. I now have my own home studio set up where I have been able to record music of my own and finishing my E.P.

You recently released your single “Somebody”, what was your influence behind the single?

“Somebody” was created in Ghana during my trip back home in Ghana. It was produced by the amazing Abochi. We created this beautiful song together using concepts I had, bouncing ideas and melodies back and forth. The song is about a dilemma in the mind of a woman and the dilemma is being in love with “Somebody” but struggling to express that feeling as she goes through the pressure internally. I believe a lot of women out there can relate and may have somewhat been in that same “situation-ship”. The concept stems from my own experience with love and struggling to express that. There are women like myself who tend to hide feelings and emotions to avoid being hurt, but there comes a point where enough is enough and we have to start speaking out and expressing our love to that special “Somebody” but also being okay accepting him not having the same feelings for you knowing that ’Somebody’ is out there for you. Do not give up on love.

Congratulations on the release of your sophomore EP, “The Art and The Muse” - can you tell me about the creative process behind the EP and what we can expect from it?

The Art & The Muse is OUT NOW! whooppp and I’m super excited for this release. It has been a long time coming as I’ve been working on this project throughout this year exotically during the lockdown. If you haven’t heard it yet then expect to hear good timeless music that would captivate your hearts and minds. it’s a spiritual sometin’ haha. Honestly, I enjoyed creating this project especially because it’s my first ever project to come out of Trayc Selasi. Most of the songs we created during the lockdown period especially as I had some time to get in my creative bag. 2 of the songs were created during my trip in Ghana, “Somebody” and “Militant” whilst the others were created in my London home with my home studio setup. My creative process is a mashup of different things that I piece together to create my version of art which stems from my past experiences I’ve been through as well as my friends and family around me. Sometimes it can just be words I hear, a feeling or a current emotion. When I create, I think about so many different things based on the current topic and write down everything. Most times I go off from my feelings and allow melodies, words, emotions to naturally flow out of me through songs or dance. I have my moments where I can get stuck and just lay down or be still but the one thing I do a lot is pray and meditate especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed. I usually like to take my time to create just so I know I have pieced it all. The name of the EP is a representation of both me 'The Art' and my influences 'The Muse'.

How much of an impact does your Ghanaian roots have when creating music?

My Ghanaian roots have a massive impact and a few reasons for that is firstly, I was born there and lived a part of my childhood in Accra before leaving to come to the UK at 8 yrs. My family keeps me in check about my roots especially my mother as she constantly reminds me by speaking my language to me and always encouraging me to always be myself and be proud of who I am and where I'm from at all times. I’m so grateful for them, if not I don't know what I would be right now. I love my culture, my country and the whole African continent because it’s so beautiful and rich with amazingness. it has had and continues to have a huge impact on my lifestyle, my hair, the clothes and jewellery I wear as well as my music. My dad used to be a family DJ at most family functions and he would play some of the legends such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Agelique Kudjo Daddy Umma etc and i grew up listening to these African legends who inspire a lot of my music creating as you hear the sweet sounds of highlife infused in some of my songs on my EP The Art & The Muse.

How do you think the Afrobeats scene has changed since you first started out?

The Afrobeats scene has changed so much over the last 5-10 years and I’m so proud now more than ever to be a part of this culture. African music is now growing into new heights that we’ve never been before and I believe it’s only going to get better and higher from here and there is no going back as we are already exposed to many different experiences and sub-genres

2020 has been an unexpected year, how was lockdown for you and what impact did it have on your music plans for the year?

2020 has definitely been unexpected but I believe it’s been both a blessing and a curse at the same time. I prefer to keep my focus on the blessings that have come out of it which is the fact that I was able to finish my EP and have more time to connect with my supporters all around the world. I am truly grateful for everything that has happened so far and I believe there are going to be greater things that are coming my way. I won’t lie, in the beginning of lockdown, it was a bit of a struggle trying to get used to being home and working as I was used to a set routine and trying to figure out a new home routine was a little crazy but my music is what kept me going which made me even more grateful for my home studio setup. We thank God.

The music industry is very male orientated, have you faced any struggles as a female artist and how did you overcome them?

Yes this industry is very male dominated but we all know that women run this world. I did face some struggles as a woman from the start of my career in this industry as a dancer well before transitioning into music. One being the fact that you’re seen as a subject and even my skin colour didn’t always help as I will sometimes be pushed to the back but how I overcame that was to keep myself with Fuse ODG team who were very respectful to me as not just a woman but a black African woman which allowed me to feel safe. I worked very hard to build a lot of my relationships in the industry in a respectful way making sure that everyone sees and treats me with respect as I treat everyone both men and women with respect.

What is the best advice you have been given?

The best advice I received was to go fishing. I know it may sound weird or funny but what I understood from that was to go for it, throw that hook in the water and never hold back because eventually I will catch a big fish and get my big break and in my case a second big break as the first big one was from the “Antenna” Dance video. Another great advice I have received and continue to receive from my amazing team, Coelle LDN is to stay patient, pray and grind hard because the time will come. As we all know this journey is not an easy one but it is one that I must enjoy, as it will be all worth it in the end.

 What is next for Trayc Selasi?

Trayc Selasi is taking on new heights and flights. Now that my first EP The Art & The Muse is out, I’ll be working on some visuals for this project and get some shows and performances going hopefully when everything opens up again and lockdown has been lifted. I will also be going back to Ghana very soon to engage with my supporters there. I want to link up with amazing producers and songwriters and start working on my next project. So many things I want to do right now but all in due time.

Just for fun, fill in the blanks….

Without music, I would be… A rich housewife

My current favourite song is… Somebody by myself

My dream artist(s) to collaborate with is… Beyonce

My favourite Ghanaian dish is… Red Red (African stewed black-eyed peas and plantain)

Support Afrobeats because… I love it, it’s my culture, it’s in my bloodline

Download/Stream - Trayc Selasi - The Art & The Muse EP

Follow @Traycselasi on Instagram | Twitter

This interview was conducted by Shade A  / Afrobeats City doesn’t own the rights to the image used.

[afrobeatsindacity]

AFROBEATS CITY MEETS DOCTA DEE

No stranger to the music scene and especially the UK Afrobeats scene, Docta Dee has been blessing us with nothing but hits since he first entered the music scene in 2012. 

Afrobeats City caught up with Docta Dee to find out about his new mixtape The Antidote, how he stayed positive during lockdown and more.

Who is Docta Dee and how did you get into music?

Docta Dee is a songwriter who grew up in the church and grew up around music. Everyone calls me Docta Dee, it is a nickname I grew up with in my area. I originally grew up in Blackheath but moved to Kent.

Docta Dee also comes from my Dad being a Pastor with a Doctorate and the nickname stuck with me for the rest of my life.  It has been hard to shake off but it has served its purpose in terms of helping people and trying to provide a solution to my music.

In 5 words how would you describe your musical style?

Good vibes, positive, reflective, fun, and vibrant

You recently released your new album “The Antidote”, how did you come up with the name for the album and what was the creative process behind the album?

The Antidote is a very special project for me because during this time of COVID and the pandemic, I thought about me being Docta Dee what can I do for my people. So many people lost their jobs or are going through a lot of things with their family, what can I do to try and lift their spirits and provide hope so that is what The Antidote is, it’s reminding people that the solution comes from within themselves. I put a bit of my story and pain so that I can try to influence and have an impact on someone else’s life.

My favourite song off the album is “For A Bit”, what is your favourite song off the album?

“For A Bit” for me is a banger, I like it because it’s different, it’s trap. It was actually a freestyle I was messing around with so I’m glad you said that.

My Personal favourite is “Smile”, it hits home and touches the surface of what I have been through during this lockdown as well. I also sampled an old school church song in there “This Little Light Of Mine”. Stuff like that makes me want to listen to the song every single day.

Do you think growing up in the church influences you in terms of music, I know you don’t do gospel music but in terms of the way you incorporate your faith into your music?

Yes big time, my faith is very much my everyday life and struggles. All the pros and cons that comes with living, I try to reflect that in my music, even though I do not solely do gospel music, I just try to uplift people through my music. I know my parents would love me to do gospel and my dad will promote me widely, but I am just trying to find my own feet and take it as it comes.

Your new single “Sidekick” featuring Ka’Reema gained over 50k views in the first week of its release which is amazing, was you expecting that sort of reaction to the song?

I was and I was not because I knew that I was going to release it on my own channel and push it myself. I tried to use all the resources possible so when I released the first video “Payroll”, I kind of engaged that people were not expecting me to fire them with visuals. I went abroad to shot the video and two weeks late I dropped “Sidekick” and I knew that song was that radio, Afroswing type of song that is strong at the moment.

Ka’Reema is an amazing artist who added that extra vibe and we have just been pushing it and pushing it and thankfully I’m seeing good views on my own channel and I am going to keep pushing it until everyone is playing it. I am happy that we can pat ourselves on the back, but the work continues.

Did the recent lockdown affect your music plans for 2020 or do you feel that you were able to still achieve your plans?

It affected my plans in a good way, I normally release one single a year traditionally or like a major video. I pushed an EP at the start of the year called The Life Of The Party and then I thought I was done but being on lockdown and losing my job, I was able to make the best out of the situation. I went to the studio, I was able to song write and then I produced the video for, “For A Bit”, “Payroll” and “Sidekick” so in all there are about 4-5 visuals that have been out since January. I saw myself being more pro-active and hungry. All my friends in the music business are doing their things and it inspired and encouraged me to do it at my pace. I realised I was doing it at my pace but putting in a lot of work as well.

Due to lockdown rules you currently can’t do any live shows but have you done any instalives or online shows?

I have done a few lives called The Consultation in the theme of going to your GP or Doctor and the response and feedback was real good so I am going to keep doing that. I would love to throw a little live party once we get all clear in terms of the lockdown. I might do a few intimate live shows and put it out there, they are some ideas that I have in the pipeline.

What is something you learnt early on in your career that has helped shape your career?

“Don’t Wait For Nobody, Don’t Sit Around”. Do not expect anything and have a clean heart. You might do something for someone they might not do it for you but it doesn’t mean there is beef or no love. I know I have been designed and created in a special way to always go over and beyond for people and it may not be returned but just have a good heart and wish everyone well.

Understand your audience but give them what they want. I love R&B but when I asked the question on my Instastories a lot of my followers love the Afroswing stuff, I have to find the balance. For The Antidote, I made sure there was a balance of R&B, Afro-fusion, Trap and Drill. I was able to give them a dose in that project.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

A message that has saved my life is “Learn To Dance In The Rain”. No matter what you’re going through just find the positive and appreciate what you have, dance in the rain. If you can dance in the storm with the cloud over, then you will celebrate in the sunshine when the rain goes out. I try to stay happy and smiling especially during this time.

What is next for Docta Dee?

I have a single outside of the project, it should have been on the project but I wanted to take my time so it should be out in a few weeks. Visuals to follow as well.  

I have also been writing for other people so their stuff is coming out and then I have another project at the end of the year. I thought 2020 was cancelled but God has other plans for me, so I’m going to keep working and keep going at my own place

 Just for fun, fill in the blanks…

 Without music, I would be…Stuck in finance or have my own business

My current favourite song is…Docta Dee – Smile

My favourite song to perform is… Flex N Finesse ft AdeJosh

My dream artist(s) to collaborate with is…Konan - his amazing on hooks and an ear for melodies. But I work with so many artists that I work with and respect. AdeJosh is one of my favourite artists of all times. That’s my bro

Support Afrobeats because… Its authentic, it’s raw, energetic and it’s home. That is why it’s key to support it especially being from the UK but know your roots, it’s so important. I’m happy that we have the UK Afrobeats chart and there are so many opportunities and so many people that are pioneering the movement. So as an African, Nigerian in the UK especially with a lot of Caribbean friends I have never been so proud of our music, the quality of the visuals, the sound even from Nigerian artists and artists here. The progression since 2012/2013 has been massive and to be a part of that I am so proud.

Follow @Officialdoctadee on Instagram | @DoctaDee on Twitter

This interview was conducted by Shade A (@shardeya) / Afrobeats City doesn’t own the rights to the image used.

[afrobeatsindacity]

Interview: Afrohits on Bang - Joey B Interview

“Are Ghanaian rappers better then Nigerian Rappers?” 

Watch the interview above with Ghanaian rapper and "Tonga" hit maker Joey B as he stops by the Bang Radio studios in London to catch up with the Afrohits Crew Mc Timmy, Shopsy doo (Adesope) and Dj Yung Milli. 

The star was In the UK to promote his new single "otoolege" featuring Samini also to headline the Ghanaian independence show in London. Whilst talking about the HipHop scene in Ghana in comparison to Nigeria, he said Ghanaian rappers were better than their Nigerian counterparts. The rapper finished the interview answering questions from the "Afrohits 5" naming his top 5 African rappers and expressing his thoughts on his relationship preferences.

Watch Joey B's full interview on the Afrohits show here .

Tune in to Afrohits on Bang Radio London 103.6 FM is every Thursday from 7pm-10pm‎.