You can aptly describe Areezy as a Showman, a psychologist armed with melody and sultry voice that force goosebumps out of your skin when listened to, Christened Ariyo Awodele Ezekiel on 27th September in the year 1997.
Afro-fusion act Areezy is one unique Afrobeat artist rapidly growing a cult-like following since he released his breakout single in 2018, “Ori”. A banging motivational song that mirrors the challenges of the street kids in the pursuit of happiness while hustling to measure up to their privileged contemporaries.
The young star that started his musical odyssey at the tender age of 10 started as an instrumentalist in the choir of his Church before recording his first song at the age of 15.
Blessed with a unique traditional African sound, heavily worded lyrics, and catchy melody that made him a regular on Radio and TV across the country following the successful release of his 2018 ‘Ori’, which racked over 10 million downloads and streams across music blogs and stores with Oritsefemi jumping on the remix afterward.
Areezy was profiled as one of the new faces of Afrobeats and has since been on an upward trajectory with follow-up releases such as “Believe” another piece of ear-pleasing music where he recounts his ordeals with affirmative wordplay speaking into existence the godlings of life, he got us all eating good music from his palms by whetting our appetite again with “One life” and “Who Dey” in 2020 following up with #WhoDeyChallenge” which allowed his fans to be part of the movement with the most creative participant rewarded with a $1000.
He went on a sell-out tour across the United Arab Emirates, performing in different cities and different locations. He successfully sold-out different shows in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other parts of West Africa where his fans yearn to see him share the big stage alongside Olamide, Davido, Wande Coal, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy to mention a few.
The effervescent and energetic emerging star is currently staking his claim in the Afrobeat scene, Powered by an army of the organic loyal major fanbase of upwardly mobile young music lovers from the hood beaming with lofty dreams who had been inspired and energized through his music, he is currently taking the world on a great sonic trip with “One Night Stand”, a track off the soon-to-be-released EP, a musical ballad that described his one-night stand experience which completely changed his perspective of Life, Love, and Sex.
Kayode Kofoworola for Acada Magazine caught up with Areezy at a high-octane industry event recently and we dug deep into his story.
Excerpts:
Q: HOW DID THE JOURNEY BEGIN?
A: The journey started with social media for me. It began on Instagram when Kizz Daniel posted one of my videos on his page. Funny story, I had been doing different freestyles on Instagram and had been reposted by different popular artists but when Kizz Daniel reposted one of my videos, the story changed, the love I got from that song changed the course for me. It led to the label signing.
Q: WHO OR WHAT HELPED YOU DISCOVER YOUR TALENT AT A VERY YOUNG AGE?
A: My choirmaster played a key role, Gospel music and the love for that sound helped me. Back in school, my friends were into hip hop but I was interested in gospel music and juju music. My friends tried to influence me with hip hop and even helped me with trying to compose hip hop songs but that gospel sound from church was what I found interesting and inspiring and that helped in shaping my love for music.
Q: AT WHAT POINT DID YOU KNOW MUSIC IS YOUR CALLING?
A: My family background made music a difficult choice to make but after my secondary school education, I went into tailoring but later my love and passion for music kept pulling me back, I left tailoring, linked up with a friend and we both decided to give the music path a try and the rest is history, so it’s safe to say music chose me.
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR GENRE OF MUSIC?
A: My genre of music can be described as Afro-fusion. It is inspirational. It is conscious music meant to inspire you.
Q: YOU COULD HAVE SIGNED WITH G-WORLDWIDE YEARS AGO. HOW DID THAT EXPERIENCE CHANGE YOU?
A: I was a studio rat at a point working with Young John. So, I was exposed to different opportunities. One of the many opportunities was getting to meet people from the G-worldwide camp. We had a series of meetings but it didn’t materialize into anything concrete as there were many backs and forth that took too long and the offer wasn’t something I felt will favor me as at that time
Q: HOW DO YOU CREATE YOUR MUSIC?
A: Most times my creative process starts with a theme, what topic do I want to sing about, what message I want to pass across, I play around with the topic in my head trying to have a direction and complete thought, I hit up my producer, share the idea with him and what I want it to sound like. So, it’s usually less work in the studio when we are on the same page, when I listen to beats, I know what I want to sing about. I do a lot of inspirational songs. People around you, location, and the different vibes they present are all things that help shape my creative process.
Q: HAS THERE BEEN A TIME YOU FELT LIKE GIVING UP BECAUSE OF THE MANY CHALLENGES?
A: That has never happened. I did fashion designing for 8 years and If I can leave that for my music then I have no reason to quit music. It is something I am very passionate about.
Q: WHO IS THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR CAREER?
A: It will be Kizz Daniel. From the moment he posted my video on his Instagram page, things have been completely different.
Q: HOW EASY WAS IT TO COMPLETELY LEAVE THE FASHION WORLD?
A: I never entirely left the fashion world; the force of music is just greater. The world will see the fashion side of me soon, I have my fashion brand coming up with something special, something big is in the pipeline, so you guys should watch out.
Q: TALK US THROUGH YOUR LATEST WORK; ONE NIGHT STAND
A: It is a crazy story that caused a series of arguments between my management and I. Art is personal and for me, my music often is an expression of how I am feeling, my experience, and that of people around me. I had a one-night stand experience that changed my perspective about life, love, and sex, love can be found in hopeless places and I feel it’s only proper I put pen to paper and create music out of it. and I am glad I did record One Night Stand. It is a song that is real, honest, and sincere as it detailed my experience of a night out in the city of Lagos. If you are yet to listen to it, please go and download, stream and listen to One Night Stand. I am sure you will be able to relate with my experience put down into beautiful sound.
Q: AND HOW HAS THE RECEPTION BEEN TO YOUR LATEST WORK?
A: It has been mind-blowing. I expected the success as I believe the song was going to be a hit but I honestly didn’t see this much love coming. The love, attention, and appreciation have been over the top. The song has taken me from a point of doubt to a point of wow, I am loved and have got my fans at my back. The reception has been great and it has made me want to go hard and do more so the challenge is on and I can tell you I am capable and ready to deliver.
Q: IF YOU’RE NOT MAKING MUSIC, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU BE DOING?
A: I will still be in the music circle playing contributing my bit, my talking drum in church. My love for music is huge and if I am not in the spotlight of it, I will still be in the background of it making it happen for others.
Q: WHICH ARTIST ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH?
A: I have a long list of talented artists both locally and internationally I would love to work with, Bigwiz, Davido, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel, Fireboy and Buju comes top of my list,
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
A: With the success of my new single, I have to do more. I am already working on my EP which will be my gift to great music lovers in the first quarter of 2022, I have like two EPs ready but I have to put together the best collection so I can give the fans the best so for now, that is the immediate plan but a whole lot in the pipeline right now including the launch of my Fashion Line.
Q: SHARE ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT AREEZY?
A: I value and reciprocate responsibility. If I ask you to do something, it is because I know you are capable and able to deliver. If there was any doubt, I wouldn’t even expect you to deliver so for me to task you, it is because I know you are up to the task and I think highly of you.
Q: SO FAR, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS AN ARTIST?
A: I have had so many notable and proud moments but one made me feel special, Thrilling fans at DJ Kaywise Joor recent concert in Alimosho, the inspiration for my breakout single Ori came right after a show he had some years back, I was supposed to perform but unfortunately my demo did not play because it was in the wrong format and I ended up freestyling, I was booed which left me down after leaving the show, nowhere to go so I had to chill with a friend of mine who has a studio in Egbeda to crash and boom that was what inspired Ori. So, when Kaywise brought me on stage unexpectedly and seeing the fans love and hearing them sing my songs word for word was something that gave me joy. Big shout out to DJ Kaywise.
Q: A MESSAGE TO YOUR FANS?
A: Thanks to the SOMORIS like I love to call my fans which means very important people, for sticking with me as I unravel my journey gradually, keep supporting me and I promise to keep delivering good music. Their love is appreciated and I will work hard to ensure quality music that will keep inspiring and motivating them is something I will never negotiate.
