Interview: Nuwamba (Phone)Nuwamba, whose name means November in the Nigerian language Hausa, speaks to Feel The Soul about his debut album, 'Above The Water'. And why he is an underground artist that everybody should know about.
01. Matthew - What have you been currently up to?
. Nuwamba - I've been working on this new project that will be released either the third or fourth quarter of 2007. I also have an EP that I want to get put out. It's just an EP of the first album, of some remixes, and its house, down tempo and drum and bass music.
02. Matthew - Are they all remixed by you or other remix people?
. Nuwamba - Actually, there remixed by some different guys; Ron Trent, Earnie G, and other guy's that don't really have a name for themselves, yet. It should be real exciting, as far as this EP. Were doing it just because; its something fun before I put the next album out.
03. Matthew - What was the creating aspect like for you, with 'Above The Water'?
. Nuwamba - It was pretty hard, man, to be honest with you. The fact is if you haven't ever really made an album be fore, you really don't know what to do. If your trying to make a good album. You have a lot of mistakes to be made, which is basically what I did but we tried to create a different vibe and different idea's. I think we did a great job. I don't know if you got a chance to get the album?
04. Matthew - Oh yeah! I think it's a great album!
. Nuwamba - Thank-you, man; we just tried real hard to get a feel good vibe for our album. We tried to use some original instruments; to be exact we tried to capture that whole feel good vibe, man. Instead of having Electronic music because to be honest modern music has a lacking of real instruments. So, we used live drums, live strings, live everything! It was hard because while doing that, we had to get everybody in the studio, all at the same time. We eventually did the album, and we knocked it out!
05. Matthew - Good! How long have you been producing music and are you involved in the music industry?
. Nuwamba - Well, I've actually been producing professionally for about three years but I've been making music for about twelve years. I am currently involved in the music industry, working with T.V Commercials and MTV. Basically, that album pushed the envelope for me, you know what I'm saying? It kind of helped me get out on to other things. I've been doing music the whole of my life but professionally' I'd say for about three years.
06. Matthew - Before you started on your 'Above The Water' record did you go into music education to develop your skills? Or did you just have natural talent?
. Nuwamba - I played the French Horn from when I was in eight grade all the way to musical theory. Other than that man, it was pretty much just natural. I began being in Church Choirs but it's mostly natural, you know? Most people say they went to this or that University but I went to University; but I didn't even study music there. All for the art, you know what I mean?
07. Matthew - Have you ever wanted to write somebody else's song?
. Nuwamba - That I wish was mine? Well, I can't say that (laughs).
08. Matthew - Since the release of that record has life changed for you for the better?
. Nuwamba - Yeah, it's changed tromendously, like I say I I'm not trying to be like a John Legend or one of those big cats like that.
09. Matthew - It doesn't really matter because I don't like him any-way...
. Nuwamba - (laughs), I'm like one of the underground scene artists that people should know about.
10. Matthew - You do honest modern soul music...
. Nuwamba - Yeah, straight honest music man, and ever changing music. This latest album has had a really big change since what I did back in the day. Things are changing, I'd say from the first album I am more comfortable where I am now. I've gone through things but I am able to also challenge and express myself more. About things that were going on back then asd well. So, it should be a good album, this next album.
11. Matthew - Is there a title yet for the album?
. Nuwamba - Yeah, the next album is going to be called, 'The Naked Truth'.
13. Matthew - And have you got a record label releasing it?
. Nuwamba - We haven't got a record label for it yet but you know how we do on the underground (laughs). We do have our own company though called Chocolate Soul Entertainment and if I don't get a label to distribute it, I'll be distributing it like I did with the first album with Chocolate Soul. We'll just distribute it again, because we got some pretty good love, all the way out there.
14. Matthew - They sell it in the UK as well, in Soul Brother Records, so you've obviously done well...
. Nuwamba - Yeah, we've also been on some different compilations. An album that has Omar, Common and others on released 22nd Jan last year in Japan, through P. Vine Records. And Soul Brother Records compilation 'This Is Soul 2006'.
15. Matthew - And what are you like performing?
. Nuwamba - I've had a lot of people saying I have great stage presence. I haven't had the challenge yet to really show case that. I've performed for some opening acts, and people are like 'Wow I didn't know you could perform like that!' And I'm like yeah, well I can and I'm trying to get more shows (laughs). Once I get more shows I think my popularity will expand and I'll get the chance to showcase my talent.
Words by Matthew Daniel
© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.
