10 Questions: Dami Oniru

Dami Oniru graduated from University in July and moved back to Lagos in September. When she’s not writing or recording music, she develops her coding skills, researches on music business.

1. What’s your philosophy in life that influences your creative work?

I believe that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I believe that if I’m going to create a piece of art, I need to create something to a certain standard and to my satisfaction first, then to the satisfaction of others cause if I don’t like it I believe no one else would even if that’s not the case. I believe in quality over quantity and I hope that’s what I’ve been doing.

2. Do you remember when you wrote your first song and when you started taking music seriously?

I think the first song I ever wrote was in 2015, I had just finished A levels that summer, preparing for university and Jinmi Abduls reached out to me and sent me a demo and he wanted us to be on it together, I listened to it and instantly got lyric ideas and I sent him something back immediately, that was the first piece of music I’ve ever written and I think the first song I wrote by myself, like a whole song, was probably Fallin’. I started taking music seriously in 2015 and I put out my first single Iyawo in 2016.

3. How would you describe your genre of music?

I mean if I reaaallly had to pick I’d say R&B and R&B Soul

4. Do you ever take inspiration from personal experiences to write your music?

Yes, I do, I try as much as possible to make sure that lyrically, people can relate to it in their own way even though I’m the one that has been through what I’m talking about. I know there’s always someone that can most definitely relate. I feel that it’s not just me who has experienced these emotions or has been in these situations I describe through my music. So definitely, I think it’s important you make music intentionally emotive so your listeners can FEEL the music. I like it when I listen to music with my eyes closed to be able to literally feel from the beat to the lyrics, like really experience every emotion. So yeah, to answer the question, yes I do.

5. Tell us something about your debut body of work, Bri’s Lounge?

With Bri’s Lounge, I wanted to do something different from what people will say my norm was, although I’ve kinda always experimented with sounds but I really wanted to take that further and do like a pure R&B project cause that’s what I grew up listening to and I love R&B. So I wanted that to be channeled into my project and I wanted it to be very evident so as your listening to each song you’d be like yeah, THIS IS R&B. The inspiration for the title, Bri’ana is actually my first name so I just shortened it to Bri and Lounge because Remy Baggins and I created this in the comfort of my home so by the end of the project each song had a super relaxing feel to it and I wanted people to just feel relaxed, comfortable and just enjoy the music really, so yeah Bri’s Lounge.

6. Would you have preferred doing music somewhere else other than Nigeria?

Hmm.. I actually don’t know but maybe, would’ve definitely been a different experience and probably tougher I think. However, I can definitely say I’m grateful that I’m able to chase and actualize these music dreams of mine in Nigeria although I do plan on taking the music to a global audience, in due timing. Also, I want to revive or be part of the movement to revive the quality of music being put out from Nigeria & bring structure to the Nigerian music industry.

7. What do you feel is the most pertinent issue in our society and what is your opinion is a musician’s role for being a force of social change?

I’d say corruption is our biggest issue and the fact that citizens have gotten comfortable with it. If we are talking about a musician’s role for being a force for societal change, firstly that musician has to be someone with some sort of following no matter how small, they have to use their platform to drive whatever positive change they can, no matter how little. It’s not just musicians though, anyone can make an impact. I think little things matter, people often try to face the bigger issues head on but I think our societal issues are more deeply rooted and it’s a lot of things that needs to be undone from the deeper level upwards.

8. What makes you stand out as an artist?

I think what makes me stand out as an artist should be my sound. Listening to Bris’s Lounge, you can tell I really channeled my inner Rnb inspirations, maybe my versatility too but that’s kinda cliché because artistes generally should be versatile, shouldn’t they?

9. Who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by people I see that really have a passion for what they love doing and they do what they set their mind to and also using whatever platform they have to drive for positive change. I mean I see platforms like the coalition of youth development and Lucid lemons, the young individuals who come up with ideas like that inspire me, people, who keep doing what they love and push through the hard times really inspire me. I’m inspired by young creatives who Do It Afraid. Another big inspiration for me musically is Brandy, her music is just amazing!

10. What’s next for Dami?

I’m going to keep promoting the EP (Please Go listen if you haven’t), going to start shooting videos for songs on the project, performances, features and well we would find out together as God leads.