Our NEXT UP series is a music discovery initiative that showcases the next big things in Afro-influenced music from across Africa and beyond! In this edition, we speak to August Makorr, a burgeoning Gabon-born Nigerian musician.
August Makorr is a versatile musician currently based in Los Angeles. In the hands of August Makorr, singing and rapping are in a harmonious and graceful dialogue. With a career birthed in Lagos, Nigeria, August is slowly carving a niche for himself with a unique style of storytelling.
He is out with his new song “On My Way” featuring fellow Nigerian artiste Tim Lyre. Unorthodox Reviews caught up with him to find out more about the deep message behind his latest single, his musical journey and his plans for the future.
1. Hey August. Tell us what sparked your interest in music.
I’ve always listened to a lot of music growing up. The more I fell in love with it, the more I realized I had all these thoughts in my head that I could express through music. I was just a kid at the time so I started writing songs in a notebook. The more I listened to artistes like Wizkid, Duncan Mighty, and Lil Wayne on my walkman, I knew music is the one thing I could never let go of.
2. Has the release of ‘On My Way’ felt different than your other songs?
I tend to attach my songs with different feelings. ‘On My Way’ is special to me because it takes me back to remembering the important things we all take for granted sometimes like life, family. The song was inspired by several experiences I went through after I visited home. I had been away for some years and coming back was the best thing that happened to me so it does feel different in a way. This time, instead of releasing a song about something really specific, I try to array these different emotions into a song.
3. What made you choose Tim Lyre to help you tell this sentimental story?
I’ve always wanted to work with Tim. The right moment came along and I reached out because I knew we could blend our worlds together to create this experience. Tim is a great songwriter. He relates to the story as a fellow Nigerian and as an artiste so it was a pleasure bringing him along.
4. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given by another musician and who was it from?
I met The Game and he told me every artiste’s break into the industry will be different, just focus on what makes you unique. That advice stuck with me and has influenced my perspective on several things to date.
5. Do you believe it’s important as an artiste to experiment with a lot of different sounds?
While it works for some artistes, it may not be for everyone. I appreciate versatility as an individual so that translates to my music and every other thing I do. I’m a firm believer in finding what naturally works for you and focusing on that. To me, it’s very important that I grow and part of the growth has to be with trying out new things. Incorporating different elements from different places and just making my version of it. That’s the beauty of being an artiste. To just create with no limitation and evolve over time.
6. Are you the only one in your family pursuing a career in music?
Yes, as of right now. I can’t lie, sometimes I wish my siblings were doing music. They enjoy listening anyway so it all works out.
7. What era of fashion has been influential in shaping your style of fashion?
I like the 90s fashion era. Fashion is just one of those things that flow naturally with me so I don’t always shoot for a certain look. My style is based on feeling. If a piece of clothing doesn’t make me feel like I’m on top of the world, then I won’t wear it no matter what.
8. Do you consider music a form of energy?
Yes, yes, yes. Music is everything. More than just a form of energy for me. It’s spiritual. It has the power to take us places. Power to make us feel different emotions. I think music is one of the most powerful forces of life because it connects us all. It’s one of the biggest compliments when someone tells me they connect to some words from a song of mine or it made them feel a certain way.
9. Who are those at the top of your wishlist for a collaboration?
In no particular order, Wizkid, Oxlade, Johnny Yukon, Ayra Starr, Drake, Lil Wayne, P2J, Boi-1da. The list goes on much longer but those are a few of the amazing artistes and producers I would love to work with. I’m sure the universe will bring us together one day.
10. What do you hope to achieve with this song?
I hope any listener takes whatever they want from the song. They could interpret the lyrics differently hence they connect to it in some form. I hope this song helps someone appreciate the gift of just being alive to experience every single day no matter the circumstance. I also hope it helps someone believe there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
