TALK TO US SPECIAL: BOYLIAM.

•So happy to have you with us BoyLiam. According to your artist profile, you’ve mentioned growing up in a Christian household with various musical influences.
How did those early experiences shape the sound we hear in your music today?

Most of the songs my parents played at home had amazing melodies that made you feel things deeply. That’s what I try to recreate in my music—intentional sounds meant to evoke emotions and make listeners feel good.

•Winning a music competition in Benin Republic was a turning point for you in 2019. How did that experience impact your confidence and direction as a professional artist?

It gave me so much confidence in my craft and voice because, naturally, I’m a shy person. That’s one of the reasons I don’t participate in most competitions. However, that win gave me newfound confidence in my voice, and I’ve been riding that wave ever since.

•When working on your latest project, Ecstasy, what does your creative process look like? Do you start with lyrics, a melody, or a beat first?

I like to start with a theme. Do I want to talk about love, life, struggles, or something else? Once I figure out the theme, I dive into the melodies. My melodies are designed to make you feel whatever I’m feeling at the moment, making them relatable and nostalgic. Lyrics come last because they require more time. I want to express myself poetically but in a way that’s easy for listeners to connect with and remember.

•Your voice has been described as nostalgic and comforting. Was this a conscious direction for your music, or did it naturally evolve that way over time?

It wasn’t conscious at all. I’m a big consumer of music, especially older records. My parents played a lot of old gospel songs, and my bus driver always had old rap, R&B, and Afrobeat records on. So I naturally draw melodies and inspiration from those experiences.

•The Nigerian music industry is highly competitive. What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far, and how have you managed to overcome them?

One big issue for me, which I’m still working on, is creating content for the music. I’ve been spending more time on TikTok and Instagram, and with the help of my manager and friends, I’m gradually improving at putting more content out.

•How do you think you’ve grown musically and personally since your debut in 2019? What lessons have shaped your evolution as an artist?

I’ve grown a lot because the Nigerian music industry has pushed me out of my comfort zone. It’s made me better lyrically, improved my branding, and enhanced every other aspect of my artistry. Being in the same room with so many talented artists has taught me to prioritize learning over proving how good I am. This approach has helped me identify my weaknesses and work on them.

•You’ve worked solo so far, but if you could collaborate with any artist, locally or internationally, who would it be, and why?

I have a long list of amazing people I’d love to work with. One person who stands out is Wande Coal, mainly because of my admiration for him. I feel like Wande made Nigerians appreciate vocalists more, and he’s one of the artists who shaped what we now call “Afropop.”

•Where do you see yourself as an artist in the next five years? What legacy do you hope to leave in the Afrobeats space?

I hope to be at the top of my game, creating beautiful and evergreen songs. I want to be one of the major influences in songwriting. I believe I have a gift with words, and I want to use it to preach the gospel of love in a way that resonates across all age groups and races.

•In a fast-paced music world where trends come and go, how do you ensure that you stay true to your sound while still remaining relevant?

I remind myself that the greats before me stayed relevant because they made music out of love, not just for trends. They had a message and made sure to pass it on, even if it meant waiting longer for recognition. That’s the mindset I try to emulate.

•What advice would you give to younger artists who are trying to make it in the music industry, especially in a genre as vibrant and dynamic as Afrobeats?

The best advice I ever got from a mentor was to stay true to myself and find my sound. Identity is crucial; it transcends into everything we do as creatives. So my advice is this: find yourself, and then be yourself.
The greatest advice i got from a mentor was to stay true to myself, find your sound. identity is a very serious thing, it is what transcends into whatever we do even as creatives. so find yourself, and then be yourself

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