The premise of all street-pop anthems is to motivate people whose lives are linked by the sheer reality of the underprivileged. “Find my way, Asanta sana/Eleda mi gbemidebe,” his hearty pop vocals carry a tension that sticks out underneath the brash rush of log drums.

Skoch’s pain has long since been his muse, as captured in the cinematic ghetto logue of his just-released music video for his opus dubbed, Motivate. Born Adebola Oluwadamilola, Skoch is a fresh addition to the euphony of street-pop acts, poised to become another thrilling indigenous pop star with his rich library of Yoruba-laden street-pop.
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Off his Love and Grind album, his 7-tracker debut album, Skoch introduces his artistry with a confident candour packed in the RnB, Pop and Hip-hop fusions that colour the record. He tag-teams other rising grassroot-leaning stars such as Bhadboi OML on “God & Grind” and Hotkid on “Hallelujah”, creating a breezy 17-min listen that commands a strong replay value.

On Love & Grind, every song feels like an episode out of a movie, with Skoch’s idiosyncratic choir of crowd vocals, and moody pacing. The album climaxes with the lead record of Skoch’s present passage into stardom, with his haunting cries of “Say no to tension,” his octaves reeling out the crux of his message, and art itself: self-perseverance.
In this chat with Guardian Music, Skoch shares more about his brilliant beginnings; his creative process; his cathartic expressions of contemporary ghetto gospels; and his mission to remain a relevant voice of his generation.

How did you get into music?
I started music when I was in the 300 level in the University. But I started officially in 2020. I started posting my music online and everything. I had recorded my first song, in 2016, but I didn’t start putting any music out until 2021. I was still in school then studying political science. But this is real life, so I have to move to the next level to make the people outside listen to me.
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What were your biggest childhood influences in music?
Olamide. When I listened to the YBNL album, I fell in love with music. I know that this is what I want to do. I was looking up to him then. I like his energy. I think I learned from his energy, especially with the way he records. I’m not using his style, but I’m just tapping from that energy.

How did you discover your own style?
It happened when I got a mobile studio at home. I had to get a mobile studio in 2020 to start recording, to discover my own style, because people were not feeling my previous style. I had to try new things. I can categorize my style as Fuji fusion. It has a little bit of Fuji and Afro-pop in it.

So, who else did you grow up listening to?
Apart from Olamide, I listen to Kwam1, a bit of Saheed Osupa, Pasuma, Ayinde Barrister and so many others. I like using their words, strong proverbs and all. I find them catchy and I interpolate them in my music.

Tell us the inspiration behind your EP
At some point in my life, I was actually going through a lot. I will not lie. So, the last song of my EP is titled “Motivation.” On that very day, I was sad. I had to write this song. And if you listen to the song, you would connect with what I was going through. I had tension in me every day. I woke up early in the morning with only tension in my mind. I was thinking about different things and being scared. I wanted to name the EP, God and Grind, but I had to change it to Love and Grind because I added two love songs there. I just needed to spice it up with love, so people can know there is something else apart from the hustle part of my story you get. I’m versatile. I can also do love songs that I agreed to enjoy. That’s why I added the two love songs that are on the EP.

From the EP which song is your favorite right now?
My favorite right now is “motivation”, because of what I was going through then. Anytime I’m listening to the songs it just reminds me of what I went through then. And, I just love the song I wrote.

Who would you look forward to collaborating with?
I would like to work with Bella Shmurda. I would like to work with Seyi Vibez. Those are the new cats I would like to work with, then for the old cats Burna Boy, Olamide and LAX.

What is the vision for your music?
I know my style is kind of Fuji, with Afrobeats. I want to be international and export that sound. I want to be very big. And that’s why I’m working towards getting there, because I can’t just sit down somewhere now hoping for better days; I have to work.
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