Gaisebaba set his foot into the music industry years ago as a conscious artiste with a distinctive style of delivery that cuts across generations. A Decade after, he is still actively mimpacting youth culture through the urban Christian music space. We catch up with him, and we talk about his life, artistry and growth in his creative journey so far.
Good evening Gaisebaba! It’s nice to have you join us. How do you feel tonight?
I feel fine. Trying to keep spirit up in the midst of the abysmal electricity supply in this our dear country (laughs satirically)
Haha! Our Country always has a way of pulling down our spirits but we stand strong.
Our blood shall never run dry!!!
First off, congratulations on the successful release of your sophomore Album ‘A Decade After’, which is coming 10 years after you released your first album. I’m sure that many of your fans would like to know, why the long wait to put out another album?
Thanks! Why the long wait? For the first few years I was simply single-minded; dropping singles. Then in 2017 I got quite occupied with the platforms I began to build – LightOut first, then ARAMANDA and then later Lounge464. It was in 2020 I was like, okay, gotta make an album!
Talking about building platforms, You’re very big on working with the youths and engaging their culture. How has that been, being able to work with teens & youths from all walks of life and help guide them on the right path?
It’s been a rewarding experience, to speak a language (genre, vibe) that connects with teenagers and young people. LightOut for instance, our HighSchool outreach, is the one most dear to my heart of all the expressions. The energy is always HIGH!!!
Let’s backtrack to where it all started for a second. Before you became a recording artiste, when did you realize you had a talent for singing and songwriting?
That was in 2003. I had a dream of performing at my church at the time – Archbishop Vining, and I tried writing what I’d sing. Kept writing. Kept getting better. Never did sing there, but that’s how I got into songwriting.
What inspired your sound? Was it because your background is rooted in the church? is that the reason why you chose to stick to writing and recording only Gospel & Uplifting music?
You can only give what you have. It is out of the abundance of my heart that my hand writes. My faith embodies every part of me – my music is one part so it is an expression of that same faith.
Now, let’s talk about ‘A Decade After’. Tell about the process of putting this album out now versus your debut album ‘Gaisebaba’ in 2011, what has changed between both processes? For you, what does “A Decade After” signify?
Differences: Production on the debut album was completely digital, while we had lots of live elements on A Decade After. Debut was by a young 24 yr old trying to find himself while now I’ve fully found myself and could say what’s really on my heart on this sophomore – A Decade After.
You actually worked with a couple of amazing contemporary artistes for this project, likes of Nosa, Gil Joe, Angeloh, Marizu amongst others. So, how was it like working with them, creatively, to help bring ‘A Decade After‘ into fruition?
Collaboration is the new way forward. It was such an amazing exoerience working with them all, also Tobi Toun and Izee Smith.
A lot of poeple have chosen different songs on the album as their favourite songs. From your creative process, can you give us insights into which song was hardest for you to write? Or required a deeper reflection..
Questions! Id Cabasa had told me I wouldn’t write the verses cos I have more answers than questions. I tried to prove him wrong. By my 2nd line in the verse I was already answering. He was right, so I simply just left it to Tobi Toun to deliver!
As an Afro-fusion artiste, do you feel like the Gospel industry is more challenging for artists who sing music more on the contemporary side than it is for those who sing traditional music?
It’s more challenging not because it’s harder but because we’re trying to blaze new trails. It’s always only harder until it’s done. The Urban arm of the Christian music space is rising, but it’s only just begun. Make una wait small. The revolution will be in plain sight!
Finally before we let you go. What can you say has been your proudest moment as an artiste?
Being honoured by my State Government – Ekiti, as Cultural Ambassador! And i was the youngest of the 13 recipients.
Thank you for joining us tonight on MaxChat. We appreciate you for finding time to have this interesting conversation with us. We wish you the best in your future musical endeavors, while we continue streaming a ‘A Decade After’ on all DSPs.
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