REPORTING LIVE FROM THE LAGOS SCHOOL OF HARDKNOCKS x Tairon

Interview Series

Part 2.

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From Northampton, England, to Atlanta, USA, and now to Lagos, Nigeria. The interview series is back showcasing grassroot talents and their community state. This time reporting live from the birthplace of Afrobeat, we meet two underground artists from Lagos, both of them with plans to join the next generation of sound from out of Lasgidi. The following voices have been tape recorded and transcribed into writing for your reading pleasure.

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Name: TAIRON

Base: Area of Lagos

Age: 23

#The scene { Thursday 06:09 pm. There's a heat wave all across the UK, in the same way, I can't imagine the Sun shies away back home in Lagos. Met Tarion in high school. Here we are years later, over facetime, catching up on music and what young adulthood has done. }

Q: What is the future of Afrobeat, and does it need preserving?

The sound is going global and I think it's here to stay. The new artists continue to mix and stretch the genre, whether its afrohiphop, afrofusion, Or afrohouse. Still, I don't think the 'Afro element' is ever be diluted. Fans don't even understand the language, but they catch the vibe. That's the 'Afro element'.

Q: How would you classify your genre of music?

There is a new Afrofusion-sound starting. I'll say I'm an Afrobeat artist true and true. I plan to experiment later on. But for now I need to focus on the home crowd, I'm an Afrobeat artist first.

Q: Name some of your early musical influences?

James Blunt, Tupac, and Micheal Jackson. But also the real forefathers like D-banj, 2Face and Fela. Those where the the real pioneers, they took Afrobeat to the next level.

Q: When did you Officially start making music?

I started writing around age 11, back then i looked for other people to tag along with to the studio. I couldn't afford the studio sessions at that age. Recorded my first track at age 12. Started with rap at first. But in 2016 i transitioned to singing. The Nigerian music audience dont appreciate rap music. Compared to other places, Lagosians don't have the patience for rap. The situation in the country is tough enough. Most just want to dance and forget their sorrows.

Q: What's been the biggest challenge since?

I'll say balancing my education alongside the music. However since graduating it's been about gaining access to the finance and resources, while maintaining the creative output.

Q: What motivates you in spite of these challenges?

Family. There is the obvious pressure from the traditional Nigerian household, parents wanting their children to become Doctors and Lawyers, but my mum for one has been my biggest fan - from the very beginning. I understand how rare this is, so It motivates me.

Q: How would you define success?

[Long pause.] I'll just say success is feeling fulfilled. Trying to define success is one way to limit yourself. There is the basics of taking care of ones family and being healthy, once that's been met, and with God on my side, there are no limits.

The End.

A GREASEDELBOW INTERVIEW

Instagram: @iam_tairon

Support and Checkout Tairon's latest Track on ~ Apple Music ~ Instagram

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Published: 29/06/2022

Written by Dan O. Eboka.

@Greasedelbow