Alaba. Photo: Life Radio

Rose May Alaba is as confident as it gets. Her cheerful ardour lights up the room as she warms into this chat. “I always knew from the get-go that this is what I was meant to do,” her voice rang firmly. The songstress who is from the royal Alaba family is a member of the new school of Nigerian singers making impact across continental markets. Stepping into spotlight circa 2016, when she dropped Love me right, the Austria-based singer, who’s the younger sister of Real Madrid of Spain midfielder, David Alaba and daughter to Nigerian Prince and veteran entertainer, George Alaba, started to attract a strong fan base across West Africa, Europe and North America. Rose May’s earliest interactions with music are also tied to her parents’ influences, both of whom were musicians in their days. Her father, George, was a rapper and DJ while her mother, Gina, also used to occasionally entertain people with her music. Rose May grew up listening to her parents’ music. it was these early influences that perhaps contributed to her decision to pursue a musical career. May’s embrace of her Nigerian heritage has drawn her to Nigerians on Tik Tok many of whom have become fans, and hence, the singer elected to only release the song on the App. With an enigmatic catalogue including, hit songs such as, Mayorkun-assisted 50/50, and her most recent spinner, Lockdown, the young singer embraces her reality of being an advocate for free-spirited cultural exchange. She shares slices of her journey, from the highs to lows and her own very unique view of art.

When did you start your musical career?
Professionally, I actually started when I was, about like 21 years old. Yeah eight years ago.

Okay, since then till now, have there been moments where you felt like, maybe I should just try something else?
Never, because to me even though how hard it gets, it gets rocky obviously, because it is not like a nine-to-five stable job, you don’t get your income every month. But to me, I like singing, and being on stage and entertaining people is always, like I knew from the get go, this is what I’m meant to do. So, I never even doubted my path or my career ever.

So, what do you derive the most fulfilment from, within your music?
Actually, for me, it is like being in the studio and creating the music. With like different people and second, is being on stage entertaining people for sure, and connecting with the crowd.

What influenced your kind of music?
You know, actually it’s my root… where I grew up. My mum is from the Philippines, and my dad from Nigeria. And growing up, I listened to a lot of African music, and l always knew that I wanted to infuse my root into my music, because these are just my influences. When we created Lockdown, in particular, I was in Nigeria at that time. And Babybeat produced the song. The moment he played that beat for me, I was amazed by the instrumental, because I enjoy performing live with a band, everything and he infused all of these into the music. It got me when I listened to the beat. I was like that is it, I want to do something on that beat, and we were vibing in the studio. We had a writer called Molly in the studio with me as well, and we were just vibing all together, and creating the song together. It took us probably like, 12 to 14 hours, but we had so much fun creating, this is the outcome and I’m loving it.

Whenever people experience your music, what do you want them to get from it?
I want them to feel good after listening to my music. I want them to feel happy. I want them to feel loved. I don’t like doing too much sad music, obviously I’m probably going to write some sad music, because it just like part of life. But for the most part, I want people to feel good after listening to my song, I want them to dance to my song, and just feel happy.

Why did you choose music?
Well, my daddy used to be an artiste as well. My mummy used to sing too. I grew up in a musical household, and there was always music in my family. There was always dancing, karaoke, like every family member knows how to play one instrument. So, it was always like music around me, surrounding me. So, I grew up listening to artistes like Lauryn Hill, and other different artistes that influence me and my voice. And I like getting in touch with my roots actually. This made me to discover my love for afrobeats and the afro music scene. So, that’s how I tapped into it.

When you tapped into afrobeats, what were some of the names that you were hooked on?
Okay so, the first ever song I was hooked on was P-Square, I even forgot the name of the song, but I used to listen to P-Square a lot. They used to play it at the clubs here, and obviously Wizkid was definitely a huge part of, you know, me listening, tapping into the afro music. Obviously, my mom loves Bob Marley, so, Bob Marley was a huge impact in our household. Everytime my mom is cleaning, she would put on Bob Marley and just vibe to him. And yeah, just different
What are the things you are likely to stand against, and for, as Rose May Alaba?

I mean to be honest, being a woman in the industry in general, doesn’t matter where you are from, or what you are trying to get into. I feel like it might be harder, because it is very male-dominated, but still, I feel there is not a challenge that I can’t handle. That’s why I even chose this path, and I’m sure it is for me, that’s why I’m doing it. And I feel comfortable with doing it, I feel so inspired just working with all these artistes back in Nigeria. They inspire me because the drive is just different, growing up abroad, nobody really get it like that, because everything is so chill around here. So, I love the wholesome mentality they have, I love the love they have for the music in general. Being a female, and working with a lot of these amazing artistes, I don’t see why it should be harder for me.

Who are some Afrobeats acts that you might like to work with?
I’m still tugging about like, couples of features that I’m going to work with, because I have a bunch of songs with people, that are alike, but I don’t want to say too much before it is released. I don’t want to talk too much, and then it doesn’t happen. But I’m looking forward to it. I would love to work with Tems, I love Tems, I love writing, I love her music. Then who else? Fireboy, I love Fireboy. He is amazing. Arya Star is amazing, I love her music as well, I would love to work with her. There is so many talents out there, many talented artistes.

Okay, anybody of work anytime soon?
Yes, actually I’m working on my EP dropping next year. But I’m still going to drop a single by the end of this year.

What would you say is the vision for Rose May and her brand?
To me, like my vision right now, is actually to build the bridge between Africa and Europe. I grew up here, in very small country, and they are always like last to know, anything that pops in. So, I want to make people, more aware of what is going on in Africa. And be like the voice but also like, just take my music globally. Yeah, and even to the Asian market as well, because I’m half Asian as well. And I feel like just infusing my root, the different areas would make sense.
Finally, tell us three interesting facts about you
That’s actually a good question. Three interesting facts about Rosy, let me think. I don’t eat pork, that’s an interesting fact, people might not know.

Is it a common dish where you grow up?
Everywhere, I have to be super careful because pork is like a thing here, they just love pork so much.

Alright, next one?
Next one is I’m a believer, I love God so much. And third one fun fact, I used to play soccer. But then they told me oh yeah, three times in a week training. I was like okay I’m just doing music, let me just do music.

Well, are you still playing though?
Well, just for fun, not serious, just for fun yeah.