10 Questions: Boye

1. What is your musical background? 

The music runs deep in my family. My great-grandparents (mother’s side) were musicians. They played the piano very well and taught it. Everyone in my nuclear family is involved with music in one way or another. I play 4 instruments: Piano, Drums, bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar.

2. What are your thoughts on the current state of music in Ghana?

Hmm, it’s definitely gotten better. There’s definitely hope. People are slowly appreciating other genres of music because afro-fusionists are, little by little, re-conditioning them.

3. Do you think we have an active and working music industry here or just a music space?

There’s definitely an active, working industry. I mean some upcoming artists are getting paid for their work. But the industry sucks, and there’s a long way ahead. Some questions that bother me right now are: are song contributors paid royalties for their work? How are they paid royalties? Performance Royalties…all these things.

4. How do you separate yourself from other artists and how would you describe your own style?

Lool I make the right moves. You can be very talented but if you don’t make the right moves you won’t go anywhere.
Branding. Branding is key! A lot of producers don’t brand, and that’s an error! Tag your beats! Take pictures, show yourself! Let your audience see who you are, and make sure they are able to associate you with the music you put out there! Brand to the point where people believe the song belongs to you because a part of it does!
Music-wise, I’m heavily Alternative R&B influenced, and I think that reflects in the kind of music I make. ‘Afro Swing’ some call it. In summary, I just make the music that comes to me. Be it, Afrobeats, Hip-hop, Afro-house, or whatever.

5. What do you think your listeners will get out of your music?

Music does things to me. Like if you see me around when good music is playing, you’d notice I’m not able to be still. Like I either dance, or close my eyes and lose myself to the rhythm and melodies. Basically, that’s what I hope my listeners get. I want my listeners to lose themselves in the music. Express themselves. Close their eyes and lose themselves.

6. Explain your creative process. 

I might get inspiration from other people’s music, or from the music in my head. I then break the music down in my head and program it on my DAW (Logic Pro X).

7. What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your music career?

Thinking about the fact that I might not be paid what I deserve for my music. Waiting for artists to work on your music too dey bore.
Artists who don’t force for their producers too dey bore. It’s funny how artists disturb you and make demands when they want a production, but when the final song is out, they forget you sharp.

8. What do you hope to do with your music?

I hope to make people appreciate and enjoy good music, I hope to make money out of it, I hope to be able to find underground talent and give them a platform to showcase their stuff.

9. What would make u want to collaborate with another artist?

Originality, be yourself and make the music that comes to you.
If you’re a singer, sing well. If you’re a rapper, rap well. Be original, tell your story. If I like, I’ll move to you.

10. In what ways has your newest music changed from when you first started?

My music has changed a lot. But it’s interesting how some of my fire productions (yet to be released) we’re made when I started producing Afrobeats fresh. I’ve grown to learn more about production and production techniques. I’ve also grown to learn more about how the music industry works.