Having started penning songs at the tender age of 11, Micho Tello is one of the fast rising music stars trying to take the Afrobeats buzz to the next level.
Born Harry Uduak Michael Omoh, Micho Tello aka Tha Illest who is originally from Akwa Ibom state but grew up in Warri, Delta State takes us into his world and shares with us, the aspirations that define his unique musical style.
He is about to release two hot singles, “Why”, an Afro Pop sound, and “Acrimony” a conscious Hip Hop song.
In this conversation, we talk about his craft, style, and his plans for the future of his career.
What actually influenced your desire to become a musician?
Ever since I was 8 years old I’ve always loved listening to 50 Cent and DMX and then MI came and I fell in love with his flows and his pen-game and rhyme structuring were way different, but to bottle it all up, Wizkid and Davido were my biggest inspirations they made me do music.
How did you eventually find your way into music?
I started songwriting at 11 but was still trying to develop my pen game. Fast forward to 2016, I finally recorded my first trap/rap song titled 7 Years which was inspired by Nasty C, the music came out great and everyone in my hood loved it and boom that was how I found myself doing music.
How can you describe your type of music?
Well, I’m a versatile artiste I sing, I do poetry and rap, so I make Afro Pop Music and Conscious Hip Hop.
What differentiate you from other artistes and what do you consider to be your selling point?
My selling points would be my in-depth knowledge, my uniquely impeccable penmanship and my swag, I’m way different.
Some musicians have music acts they view as idols or mentors, do you have such? Or musical acts that helped mold the music that you create?
Yes, I do. In the Nigerian music industry scene, it’s definitely Wizkid, Davido, MI Abaga, Ice Prince and Omah Lay.
How were your growing up years like and how did they influence your kind of music?
Growing up wasn’t easy. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, which is why my rap songs/lyrics are very relatable and also could be heartfelt because I converse about my past experiences and the daily life of an average Nigerian through my music.
Can you share with us your educational and family background?
For my high school, I graduated from the Best Group of Schools. Higher institution I’m studying Music Performance and I’m almost done but I’m not giving credits to the school so I’ll prefer to keep the name undisclosed. I’m from a middle-class family, I have 3 siblings. My mom is a Chorister, a very good singer and she was also once an actress and my dad knows how to play the drums very well. He could make beats while my grandma also sings really well, as a matter of fact she’s still a Chorister.
You must have faced some challenges while trying to climb the ladder of music; can you shed light on some of them?
Well of course there are always hard-phases of life but that never weighed me down nor made me quit. One of these challenges were financial issues. I didn’t have enough cash to hit the studio so I’d just write the songs down and keep them, another was me trying to reach out to these influencers to help repost my content for more visibility/exposure but was up to no avail. I remember one time I participated at the Hennessy VS Class Rap Challenge but I got disqualified by Ladipoe for sounding “Foreign” as he said. It was funny but then I made a diss track and it went viral on IG back in 2022 that was how I had my visibility on Instagram.
When you compose your music, what drives your lyrics and messages?
I always pray before writing to prevent me from having writer’s block and also for more inspirations most times, then I meditate on the beat to make sure it syncs with my spirit before penning down a verse.
Can you tell us about the songs and projects you have released in the past?
“7 Years” was my first trap/rap single ever but was only uploaded on Audiomack. It wasn’t published because then I had zero knowledge about the business part of Music I was more concerned about recording my first song ever, I was beyond ecstatically happy, then I met the legend Eedris Abdulkareem who encouraged me to talk more about the country’s hardship at least something more realistic, that prompted me to record my second single which is also my first Afro Hip Hop track titled “E De Pain Me” and I won a competition with that track, got featured on The Big Wave Magazine in Ghana back in 2019/2020 and in 2023 I moved to Lagos and then released “Baddie” featuring former Chocolate City Artiste Ijuwonlo and Darlsweetboy.
You are about to release 2 new singles. Tell us about them and what the songs are all about.
The first track to be released is titled “Why”, it’s an Afro Pop sound, no features, just me because I want to show my audience how diverse I can be. I could be water; I could be fire. I sing and rap.
And the second is a conscious Hip Hop song titled “Acrimony” which means absolute bitterness, ill-feeling. This particular joint is most special to me because I expressed myself how I wanted, it’s a relatable piece and I can’t wait for my listeners to hear this one.
Do you have any artiste you’re looking forward to working with in Nigeria and on the international scene?
In Nigeria yes I do get a couple I’d love to work with. I would like to work with Wizkid, Davido, Omah Lay, Tems, MI Abaga, Ice Prince, Cheque and Dai Verse. While Internationally I’ll love to work with Canibus, Cassidy, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole and most especially Joyner Lucas.
These people all inspire me.
How is your relationship with the music label in charge of your music career?
I’m currently not with any Record Label at the moment. I only have a management team and they’ve been my support system so we’re on good terms definitely, and I appreciate the love they show me.
Talking about dressing styles, most musicians have preferences, what’s your preferred style of dressing?
My style is conspicuously “Urban”. I like the casual urban look on me and I feel more comfortable dressing that way. That’s absolutely my preferred style of dressing, although that also depends on the occasion, I wouldn’t dress urban to a gala night, lol.
Are you into labels? If yes, who are your favourite designers?
I’m not much of a fanatic but Tom Ford is one of my favourite designers. I’m also into Yomi Casual and Rahman Jago, I really love the High Fashion brand.
What is your favourite fashion accessory or item?
I love dark shades, especially RayBan and also neck chains, Moissanite/Diamond chains. They’re my favourite accessories.
How do you connect with your fans?
I interact with them on social media, on Instagram and also on TikTok livestream. I do go live at my leisure time and I welcome them in. I host talent shows also on my live and send them gifts for encouragement.
What is that craziest thing a fan has ever done to you?
Craziest thing a fan has ever done was to jump on me on stage while performing in Delta State, Warri (where I grew up) my mic literally fell off.
How do you unwind/relax?
I go to the beach, plug my AirPods and listen to music while I lie facing the sky, that’s how I relax myself and it really helps a lot.
What’s your take on the usual record label and artiste controversy?
Well I feel it occurs due to misunderstandings and sometimes greed. I wouldn’t speak for my colleagues because I don’t personally know what their deal was but judging from the surface I’ll say maybe greed comes in or misunderstanding, or maybe the artiste did something wrong like breaching a contract. I can’t say much it’s left for whoever wants to disclose or keep it confidential, but so far so good I’m having it smooth with my management.
What other things do you do besides music?
Right now, my music is my hustle I stay true to it and I’m looking forward to opening my own unisex hair salon soon.
Afrobeats has gone global, what’s your view about this and what would you say is the best thing about being part of the current thriving music scene in Nigeria?
I’m so glad to be part of it. I mean it’s a good thing to be alive right now because, now we’re getting the recognition our legends have fought for so the way has been paved for all the future upcoming artistes, our sound is being acknowledged across the globe and I’m super elated.
If you haven’t taken up music as a profession, what career path would you have chosen?
If not music, I would have chosen becoming a lawyer, but my dad was like “You’re good at this and we have faith in you”, so I decided to study music instead.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your music career?
I see myself across the world, achieving my dreams, being heard by millions of listeners and I faith it will surely happen.
