Interview: How My Nigerian-American Roots Influence My Music- Omoghene

Alexis Omoghéné Akpodiete Is a Nigerian born based in the United States of America is a Musician, Songwriter and she is blessed with a melodic voice.

In her interview with a foreign Newspaper,monitored by Politicsgovernance.com, she narrated her expectations as a fast rising Star and Entertainer.

Excerpt:

From her early days as a reserved young girl, Omoghéné found her voice through the powerful tunes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and the stirring gospel music of Kirk Franklin, singing along in the privacy of her room at the tender age of seven. It was this musical journey that sparked her confidence, leading her to step into the limelight and perform publicly by the age of twelve.

Her vocal journey flourished as she lent her voice to church choirs, school events, and the vibrant local open mic scene. While earning her degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship, Omoghéné embraced poetry, which blossomed into a passion for songwriting during her freshman year of college.

Today, she weaves her personal tales and everyday encounters into compelling lyrics and melodies that resonate with her listeners. With a gentle voice that perfectly complements her heartfelt lyrics, Omoghéné delivers a message of joy, autonomy, and the strength of self-assurance. GQ dives into her new project

What inspired the title ‘Love is a Symphony’ for your latest project?

Omoghéné: During the creation of this project, I found myself writing a lot about the subject of love — everything ranging from the initial thrill of dating and navigating the complexities of the ‘talking stage,’ to confronting the pain of heartbreak. It also celebrates the journey of self-love and the unconditional love that is available to us all.

It’s so interesting to me how love is one of the most complex emotions to understand. So much is not said, yet so much is understood about it. Love comprises many different parts, just like an orchestra in a symphony, therefore I chose the title of my project to be “Love Is A Symphony”.

How do your Nigerian-American roots influence your music, especially in this album?

Omoghéné: So much! My music mirrors my eclectic upbringing. I’m someone who grew up listening to the Hip Hop sounds of Lauryn Hill and the soul of India Arie, while singing Nigerian praise music in church every Sunday.

The way I make music is not just a style; it’s an authentic expression of my identity – my truest sound. In this project, there is a blend of R&B, Soul, Gospel, and Afrobeat sounds, which is a testament to that influence.

Can you tell us more about the AI art pieces accompanying each song? How do they enhance the listening experience?

Omoghéné: I didn’t want people to just hear my music, but to experience it. Each of the 9 tracks has an AI Digital Art piece attached to it that takes the listener into the Symphony to experience the subject of love that I am discussing on each track.

AI has given artists an opportunity to share their music in a unique way and to tell stories about what they have written. AI is going to change the music landscape in the next few years (just as technology always has in the past few decades), and I hope artists can grab hold of this opportunity.

Everyday is my birthday’ and ‘ATW’ sets a foundation for your music. How does ‘Love is a Symphony’ build on that?

Omoghéné: “Love Is A Symphony”, just like all my previous projects, is another gateway into my heart. I’m sharing more on this project than I ever have. I’m growing, having more experiences, and I want to share those experiences. I love art because it captures a moment in time for each artist.

I remember where I was and how I was feeling when I wrote “Everyday Is My Birthday.” In the same way, I know the headspace and how much I have been willing to give as I wrote this project, “Love Is A Symphony”.

In crafting the instrumental “Love’s Overture,” what emotions or stories were you aiming to convey?

Omoghéné: I wanted to capture the sounds of a classical symphony but bring the emotions of a cinematic piece to usher people into this project. When I brought this idea to my producers, Josh Wen and Chris Anthony, they were all in, and we got to work in the studio the next day.

Fun fact: Chris Anthony ingeniously incorporated guitar lines into the mix of “Love’s Overture”, echoing the vocal melodies from other tracks, seamlessly intertwining the project’s songs into a cohesive narrative.

Melodies of Growth: Omoghéné’s Journey from Solitude to Symphony. Images: Supplied

From her early days as a reserved young girl, Omoghéné found her voice through the powerful tunes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and the stirring gospel music of Kirk Franklin, singing along in the privacy of her room at the tender age of seven. It was this musical journey that sparked her confidence, leading her to step into the limelight and perform publicly by the age of twelve.

Her vocal journey flourished as she lent her voice to church choirs, school events, and the vibrant local open mic scene. While earning her degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship, Omoghéné embraced poetry, which blossomed into a passion for songwriting during her freshman year of college.

Today, she weaves her personal tales and everyday encounters into compelling lyrics and melodies that resonate with her listeners. With a gentle voice that perfectly complements her heartfelt lyrics, Omoghéné delivers a message of joy, autonomy, and the strength of self-assurance. GQ dives into her new project.

What inspired the title ‘Love is a Symphony’ for your latest project?

Omoghéné: During the creation of this project, I found myself writing a lot about the subject of love — everything ranging from the initial thrill of dating and navigating the complexities of the ‘talking stage,’ to confronting the pain of heartbreak. It also celebrates the journey of self-love and the unconditional love that is available to us all.

It’s so interesting to me how love is one of the most complex emotions to understand. So much is not said, yet so much is understood about it. Love comprises many different parts, just like an orchestra in a symphony, therefore I chose the title of my project to be “Love Is A Symphony”.

How do your Nigerian-American roots influence your music, especially in this album?

Omoghéné: So much! My music mirrors my eclectic upbringing. I’m someone who grew up listening to the Hip Hop sounds of Lauryn Hill and the soul of India Arie, while singing Nigerian praise music in church every Sunday.

The way I make music is not just a style; it’s an authentic expression of my identity – my truest sound. In this project, there is a blend of R&B, Soul, Gospel, and Afrobeat sounds, which is a testament to that influence.Can you tell us more about the AI art pieces accompanying each song? How do they enhance the listening experience?

I didn’t want people to just hear my music, but to experience it. Each of the 9 tracks has an AI Digital Art piece attached to it that takes the listener into the Symphony to experience the subject of love that I am discussing on each track.

AI has given artists an opportunity to share their music in a unique way and to tell stories about what they have written.

AI is going to change the music landscape in the next few years (just as technology always has in the past few decades), and I hope artists can grab hold of this opportunity.

Everyday is my birthday’ and ‘ATW’ sets a foundation for your music. How does ‘Love is a Symphony’ build on that?

“Love Is A Symphony”, just like all my previous projects, is another gateway into my heart. I’m sharing more on this project than I ever have. I’m growing, having more experiences, and I want to share those experiences. I love art because it captures a moment in time for each artist.

I remember where I was and how I was feeling when I wrote “Everyday Is My Birthday.” In the same way, I know the headspace and how much I have been willing to give as I wrote this project, “Love Is A Symphony”.In crafting the instrumental “Love’s Overture,” what emotions or stories were you aiming to convey?

Omoghéné: I wanted to capture the sounds of a classical symphony but bring the emotions of a cinematic piece to usher people into this project. When I brought this idea to my producers, Josh Wen and Chris Anthony, they were all in, and we got to work in the studio the next day.

Fun fact: Chris Anthony ingeniously incorporated guitar lines into the mix of “Love’s Overture”, echoing the vocal melodies from other tracks, seamlessly intertwining the project’s songs into a cohesive narrative.

The track “Patient” seems deeply personal. Could you share the story behind it?

Omoghéné: Ahhh, “Patient.” I love that record! It’s one of those records that has a double meaning for me. I’m asking a loved one to be patient with me as I continue to grow in love, but I’m also asking the listeners to be patient with me as I grow in my artistry and keep evolving.

How do you hope your listeners will feel after experiencing ‘Love is a Symphony’?

Omoghéné: I hope they feel seen, heard, and understood. Enjoy the Symphony!

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