My journey into music started when I was five years old. I was a chorister, and that was my introduction to music. From my first time singing, I knew I had a passion for it. I later became the choirmaster in my church, and I played multiple instruments. I was also the music prefect in my school for a while. Music and it has been a part of me for a long time.
The dream of touching the world and being heard by as many people as possible was what inspired me to pursue a career as a singer.
My musical style has always been about me staying original. That is the best way to describe it, because change is constant and sonics change over time. However, my style over the years has always been an imprint of Pheelz on the sonics of the time. That imprint makes the music timeless.
It is just like any other industry. There would always be challenges and obstacles on one’s path to get to the top. At the end of the day, that is what makes the game worth it. As a musician, I have to make music, travel and still perform at shows. Those are some of the obstacles.
I have had many memorable experiences in my career, but my favourite is whenever I am performing on stage for my fans.
That is something I am still trying to figure out. However, for me, music comes first, regardless of who the artiste is. The music always comes first, and that is how I approach creating quality music. Sometimes, I sample music for myself before making it for other people.
I describe my creative process as ‘organised chaos’, because I am usually all over the place when I work. I might start with drums first and before you know it, there would be an idea in my head, and I am already writing. In another second, I would be recording. Sometimes, I am just all over the place to put together the ideas in my head in a way that they make sense. Though it is chaotic, it is usually beautiful at the end of the day.
It just has to feel good, and that is why I am called Pheelz. That is also the first thing I consider before producing any music. I think of how it is going to feel before I even think of what genre or style it is going to be.
My Chemistry teacher in secondary school gave me the name. He kept calling me Pheelz back then, and Olamide picked it up as well and started calling me that name.
I do not see it as two aspects. As a matter of fact, I think they are different sides of the same coin. Every producer out there has lyrics in their head while producing any beat. Every producer is a ‘low-key’ singer, and every singer is a ‘low-key’ producer. I do not see the need to balance anything, because they are just different parts of me.
I am in album mode right now, and I would be releasing an album before the end of the year. I also have some singles I would be putting out soon, and I am sure they would shake the world.
I had a lot of musical influences growing up. I listened to artistes like Kenny G, Timbaland, Jay Z, Kanye West, ID Cabasa, Don Jazzy and 2face. All these people shaped me. Recently, I have been listening to artistes like Burna Boy, Olamide and Davido.
Everyone faces criticism, and that is part of life. The fact that there is a positive also means there is a negative. Though some criticisms are valuable, I just tune them out. My focus is on God and music.
At that point, it is pure love, and no one is worried about anything. It is just pure joy in communication, and I love that very much.
Lagos has my whole heart. I have been traveling around Nigeria as well, and I really love the reception.
For me, it is about the excitement of being creative. Whenever I create (music), I want the whole world to hear it. The excitement of what the next song is, and the story I intend to tell through it always give me joy.
Yes; that was the moment I met ID Cabasa in the studio. It was a turning point for me, because I learnt a lot from him on personal and business levels.
We met in Coded Tunez when I was an intern with ID Cabasa. We were both there at the time, and that was how we connected and became friends. We have a good relationship, and he is like a brother to me. We just chose different paths, but that does not mean there is no love. That connection is there forever.
Just keep going, regardless of whatever happens. Keep making music and just be yourself. I have also had low moments when I was tired of the craft, but I just had to keep going.
There are a couple of artistes I would love to collaborate with. The list is so long, but they include Drake, Rihanna, Burna Boy, Tems, Kanye West, Jay Z, and Ice Spice.
I think it is in a beautiful place right now. We are doing and projecting things that we used to dream about, and that is just amazing. Social media has helped many artistes. Social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, really helped in promoting my hit song, Finesse. The song was a huge deal on social media before it became a mainstream hit.
The recording session for Finesse was interesting. The day I recorded the song, I posted some behind-the-scenes videos from the studio session, and the next thing I knew, it was everywhere, while I was still in the studio.
My music is my life. It is not really work. It is just me living, so I do not see it as work. However, I have days off. I unwind, hang out with friends, travel, and spend time with family. Even at that, I carry my recording instruments with me everywhere, because you never know when inspiration will strike. I am always ready to make music.
I paint, and I like to express myself through my paintings. I have a collection that the whole world has not seen yet. Some are oil on canvas and 3D art. I also do my lyrics videos and visuals myself. I just like expressing myself through different artistic mediums. I also enjoy writing poetry. I used to write poetry and love letters for my seniors back in secondary school.
Nobody can be like Pheelz. There are things I can do that some people cannot do, and that alone makes me unique.
When it comes to music, I tackle creative blocks by doing something different that is not music. Sometimes I travel, hang out with friends or even read a book. For self-doubt, I just push through and choose to love myself.
In the future of my career, there will be more music, more global hits, tours, performances, albums, more art, and more me.
I read, hang out with friends, party and go to clubs. I just have fun.
