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‘Your Music Should Outlive You’

By Cleopatra Eki
25 October 2015   |   1:45 am
“Michael Jackson is dead, but his music has merged with the fabric of our lives. His artistry is undeniable. I’ve come to realise that it takes much more than talent to be ‘relevant’ in the music industry.

Florocka-Copy“Michael Jackson is dead, but his music has merged with the fabric of our lives. His artistry is undeniable. I’ve come to realise that it takes much more than talent to be ‘relevant’ in the music industry. It takes a ‘deliberate’ and incessant effort to cut across all streams. Mainstream music is not for musicians who have no understanding of ‘artistry’.”

AkinwunmiOluniyi Nathan Akiremi, whose stage name is Florocka, singer, songwriter, producer, sound engineer and legal practitioner, made this assertion recently in a chat in recognition of the impact music has made in his life and how much he treasures the gift. He said he respects the power and inspiration behind his chosen art form.

According to him, “Your voice may be laced with angelic melodies but if you lack the capacity to engage your audience, your music will be like a cobweb dangling for all to see but of not effect. Mainstream music is not classical music where experimentation is quite limited”.

He pointed out that mainstream music involves the task of being creative, adding, “Sometimes you might have to throw in a teaspoon of comedy here or a pint of sarcasm there. I’m not in the least nervous about losing my old fans! Not in the least! I always see to it that there’s something in there for everyone!”

Back at the university, Florocka was part of several musical groups, and had a PSR 630 keyboard which he played for hours on end until he became adept at it.

“I played more music than I read my law books!” he disclosed.

After certifications in audio engineering studies, more education and experience at SAE (Sound and Audio Institute) United Kingdom, Florocka is better at impacting lives through his distinctive music. After five albums and multiple awards, he says it’s time to step out of the church.

He’s no longer just a gospel artiste, saying the transition is inevitable because the needed to make impact and expand his musical influence had always been the goal.

On his new studio album called The Impressions, he said, “I consciously decided to take a different route to the production of my latest album. I realise that a vast majority of people find it easier to listen to a song ‘if’ they can relate to it. Such songs must be bereft of any bias whatsoever. The reason a lot of us love most of the songs we listen to isn’t just because they are good music that make us comfortable, but more because we can relate the lyrics to our lives.

“Such songs are powerful because we tend to be drawn to what resonates with our situation. Mainstream sound is quite interesting. It’s bereft of religious tensions and controversies of any kind. Don’t get me wrong, mainstream music is no joke, neither is it a walk in the park! The way it tasks your creativity is so endearing, yet interesting. You get to speak and share the stories of life from varying perspectives with a fabric weaved with ‘word play’ meshed with morphing melodic rhythms that leave you forgetting your worries for the duration of the song.

“Ironically my fans received this latest album with much delight. Apparently it seemed as though they had been ‘waiting’ on me to release a mainstream album.
As a rule of thumb, I believe that music should inspire. I also believe that the lyrics of my songs should successfully be able to reflect my core value systems. Mainstream music is not for kids. You must engage the listener and not just ‘play for the listeners delight’. Your songs must be trans-generational. They should be able to transcend times and ‘outlive’ you”.

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