Efezino Majiri Akpo, popularly known as Efezino, just released her EP, titled, Memory Box. She said She has been singing since she was eight years old in the church choir. According to Efezino, “my older brother introduced me to jazz music, which became a significant influence, along with other genres such as Celtic, New Age, and pop. At the age of 12, I wrote my first song to a Jazz piece by the ‘Yellow Jackets’ and performed at various events across Delta State. My music career kicked-off when I won the Nigerian talent competition, “Who Sings Best” at age 17. I later participated in the first and third seasons of Nigerian Idol, reaching the top 6 in the third season. In 2017, I competed in the second season of The Voice Nigeria, making it to the live shows.”
As a teenager, she recorded demos for international artists such as Rihanna, Brandy, and Asa. Over the years, she has also provided backup vocals for African musicians including Simi and Adekunle Gold and collaborated with artists like Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), Zoro, and Falz. For years, “I have worked on commercial brand jingles in Africa, including the famous Delta soap, DSTV’s Fix it on the go, Maggi, and Golden Morn,” she said.
In 2018, she dropped her debut single Amere and it has been an amazing journey with the reception it has had getting around the globe over the years. In December 2019, she released Amere EP in Swahili, French and Pidgin, with acapella versions too. I had to do a remix after finding it trending on TikTok in New Zealand, Australia, Polynesian islands and across the Oceania region. “I just found out the remix is still trending on TikTok. I am so happy and thankful. Over the years, I have put out Amere Ep; in Swahili, French and pidgin, more singles, a folk album and my recent EP, Memory Box. In 2022, I opened for Simi on her North American tour and got to meet my fans in the United States. It was an amazing experience to know and see how far my music had gone. Also in 2023, I backed up for Simi as she opened for Alicia Keys on her American leg of her World tour.”
She continued, “Memory box is a project with my memories.”
Confessing her affection for the album, she added, “I have songs in the project from six years ago and this year, 2024 about heartbreak, insecurities and my childhood; I poured my heart out about a love, leaving for California even before I experienced my first heartbreak.
And I was shocked when I realised years later that it all happened and it did in December (which is track two on the album). It’s just ironic how our thoughts and words can actually become reality.”
The album is a six track project; California, December, Ede Deko, California 2.0x December 2.0 and Ede Deko 2.0. It has genres from Afro-Country and folk, pop. With a production team of talented producers like Oscar Heman-Ackah, Ovonovo, Echo, Black Sauce, sound engineer David Joseph and co-writer Derry Hans, making the album was a beautiful journey. Memory box represents my blood, sweat and tears.
On messages in the album for listeners in the new album, she had this to say: “I believe that life is about the memories we make, because in the end, that’s what we are left with. So, create as many beautiful memories as you can and live, because we won’t be here forever.”
Her plan for the next coming decade? She smiles. She revealed after, “my plan is to keep making beautiful memories with my music and sharing it with the world, go on tour and celebrate life with people I care about.”
