Afro-pop singer Adeshina Oluwasegun Jegede popularly known as Prince Shizzy rose to fame after releasing his first single “Bounce to the flour” in 2014. He has not stopped exciting fans and music lovers worldwide since then.

The songwriter and record producer who studied Biotechnology at the University of Camerino in Italy is one of the renowned names in Afrobeat music. He has built up a loyal base for his impactful Afro-Pop/ Hip-Hop style, cementing himself as one of the top 10 Hip-Hop stars to look out for in the next decade.

In this interview with Toki Anifowose, Prince Shizzy speaks about his career growth, challenges and upcoming projects.

How’s your past year been with lockdown and everything?
Well, the lockdown has impacted a lot worldwide, but with the pandemic and all, I was able to spend some more time in the studio recording. Now I have numerous songs yet to be released.

When you first started out, you look back then to how you are now, how would you describe your growth?
When I first started out, things were quite hard for me, I did not have the platform as I do now but the passion I have for music as my first love kept me going. As for my growth, I can only say I keep getting better every day as the year goes by.

Let’s talk about your music.
So, I basically use Afrobeats to express emotions that I feel, and in the process, I may have to use, maybe chords, from different genres; it could be rock, it could be R&B, it could be different things, as long as it captures the emotions I’m trying to express. I use those instruments and I fuse them with Afrobeats because I’m an African.

I feel like, for me to be authentic in what I do, the music has to be a representation of where I come from, which is Africa. My music is Afrobeats but it is very emotional. I believe, in Africa, we are not very emotional, and I think someone has to bring emotions back to Africa and I feel I’m that person, and also preach love.

You’ve had some key pivotal moments in your career so far, especially the “My Lady” song. Looking back on that time, how would you describe that moment?
Well, things were tough that moment because I got to mix school with music, and studying Biochemistry at school needs full concentration too, but it did pass. I give thanks to God I am right where I am now. I just felt like I should keep doing me. Music is my life, and it’s food to my soul, so doing me was the best choice as it gives me happiness

You’ve just released a song, is this a part of a wider project?
Yes. The song “My Lady” is part of a wider project coming up soon.

What should we look forward to from Shizzy?
I am working on dropping a new single titled “Hustle Anthem” and it will be dropping on my birthday which is November 9, and also it talked about my journey so far which showcases my versatility and me giving my fans various genres of good music.