Lucid is reaching for the spotlight

Lucid is fast-rising into an Afrobeats enigma and every new release of his confirms it. From his debut opus, Hi, I’m Lulu, where his emo pop soared to life across brilliant love-themed storytelling, to his latest two-track release, “Hooligan”/“Why”, Lucid has shone brightly as a sonical marksman nailing every release with shock-value.

Born Victor Nanribetmun, the 21-year-old Abuja-based singer began picking up influences in music from a tender age of 11. He drew inspiration from the likes of Asa, Burna Boy, Travis Scott, among others, helping him to craft the heartwarming vocals that have shaped his artistry.
In this chat with Guardian Music, the Plateau indigene peels through the layers of stories behind his come-up, while touching on his creative process and his vision for his career.

How did you get into music?
How I got into music, to be honest I didn’t really know I was going to get into music when I was little. It was something that gradually grew in me, I think it was when I was in my fresh year in the university, I think 2019 that was when I decided to drop my first song. Then it was also like a playful song, but people were feeling it.

It was really encouraging and it made me focus more on my art craft. So, ever since I dropped “Tatashe” it’s been fine since then, and I can’t wait to release what I have right now.

What type of music did you start with?
When I was in secondary school, I used to be a desk kitter, I don’t know if you know what that means. That’s hitting desk and freestyling with your friends or your pair so, that’s the kind of person I was. Then they were rapping and I was the chorus beater for them because I don’t rap. I got the energy from there and I started making freestyle music and posting on Instagram.

And gradually from posting freestyle till I get recognition from some certain people.
And it kind of boosted my energy and then I started recording and, while I was recording I wasn’t even thinking of how I would drop the song at first. I was just recording and having the songs there till whenever and God will have it. I got signed to O records, after winning the challenge. Ever since it’s been God and I’m grateful.

What guides your style?
What I sing about, I sing about anything in life. Me living life and experiencing things is part of what inspires me to write everyday. I write everyday, I compose everyday and seeing other people’s experience. I mostly like to sing about reality and have some romance index, it’s just a mixture of both.

Do you have a particular creative process?
First, I listen to music when I want to make music because I let the energy build from there. And most of the time I just let the producer play whatever beat he has, and the one I’m connected to I will tell him. Sometimes it’s melodies that pop into my head, sometimes it’s words, and I just capitalize on them. So, it’s just based on the vibe, and how it’s any moment.

What essentially do you want people to experience from your artistry, your career basically?
I just want to be able to create moods, I want to be that when you listen to my music you feel a certain type of way. It either makes you dance or it just makes you think, you know draws you to reality and everything around that.

If you could pick any African musicians that have influenced your style, who would they be?
First off I will say Asa, because since I was little I have always been a fan of her music, her music is just beautiful and evergreen. And that’s the kind of music I aspire to make more, evergreen music, the kind of music you can listen to anytime, any season. Also Burna Boy, because I feel his music says a lot about him so, just those two for now because I could keep going initially.

What is the vision for Lucid?
This year, I honestly just want to keep serving good music, just showing the world my art. And this year in particular I really have a lot installed for my people. I’m dropping a project this year, it might be an EP, it might be an album I’m not certain yet. But I have sweet plans, beautiful plans for 2024.

Tell us one fun fact about Lucid?
I don’t know if it is supposed to be like a fun fact, I think I’m actually good at drawing.

Like illustrations?
Yeah, I like drawing. If I’m doing nothing I just get to the book and get creative, I either draw stuff I see or from my head. And I also play fifa.