Ahead of his biggest headline set to date, at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, multi-faceted hip-hop artist Andrew Ogun captures his pre-show thoughts and explains why his music is best served to the introspective amongst us.
First off, how are you doing?
Ogun: I’m good! This week has come by so quickly. I’ve been preparing and getting myself ready. Yeah, it’s exciting – I think people are going to be surprised and enjoy Friday.
Is your upcoming headliner your biggest show to date?
Ogun: Definitely. I had a headliner at Porters [in Cardiff] in November 2021, which at the time was a big one. I think Focus [in Wrexham] was the next opportunity to really showcase, and then obviously, Sŵn Festival.
How do you personally prepare for something that’s off the scale you’re used to in performance terms?
Ogun: [It was a case of] ‘what can we do differently in this beat?’ – and for me to play with a band instead of playing solo backing tracks. I’ve been working with my band trying to put things together. That was the way to bring the music, bring the show to life and just kind of elevate the offer to people. I think, in Wales in general, we perform a lot – you get a lot of opportunities to see us across the year – so I think that when you do have a headline show, or higher stakes, you’ve got to ask yourself – what can I offer my audience that they might not necessarily get if I just do a small show somewhere else?
How did the band come about?
Ogun: For two years I’ve wanted to play with a band. My grandad used to have a band in Nigeria, so that legacy was always one of those things I wanted to continue, and to find my own band – but
I never knew how it worked. From our first rehearsal I think I was blessed: it gelled together really well. The chemistry was just there, very organic, nothing was forced. So I think if I can keep this unit moving forward, I would love to because there’s a real energy there.
What kind of band was your grandad in?
Ogun: He used to play highlife, juju music in Benin City, Nigeria. I don’t think he did anything in English – he only spoke his language – but it was really cool 70s Fela Kuti kind of vibes. Very local to the area, but he was kind of a local hero for a long time before he stopped playing.
What’s the ideal situation to listen to your music in?
Ogun: I think my music – especially now, with my new music – is reflective. It’s for people who need answers in some shape or form. You could put my music on and hopefully find some sort of answer… or at least find out what someone in your situation might think might be the answer. So if you’re feeling introspective, if you’re thinking “I don’t know what’s happening today”, just put my music on and it’ll hopefully give you some sort of answer.
Speaking of your new music, is releasing a yearly freestyle becoming a tradition for you?
Ogun: So it’s actually my friend’s idea. Last year, I was quite quiet in terms of releases – I did a lot of performances but didn’t record much material – and coming up to my birthday he was like, why don’t you just drop a little something, a little freestyling? I thought it was a good idea, so I dropped 24 Freestyle and then it kind of stuck.
I think every year now I’ll probably drop a freestyle. It’s a good way for me to get my own thoughts and feelings in order: it’s a real insight into where I’m at at any given moment as I’m getting older, and I think it’s a really good way for me to tease that out.
What have you been doing with your Arts Wales Agent Of Change title recently?
Ogun: Workwise, we’re in the middle of some big pieces of work with an investment review. We’re looking to see if we can work with new organisations and that’s been interesting. Also for me specifically, I’ve been leading on a scheme called Creative Steps, which is specifically for artists who are ethnically and culturally diverse or neurodivergent or Deaf or disabled.
That’s been a really good way to connect more with communities, with the people who need it most – people that probably never had a relationship with the Arts Council before – and actually be able to support them not just financially, but also with guidance, mentorship and experience. It’s been really quite a salient and poignant process to be a part of.
What can we expect from you going forward?
Ogun: There’s a lot of stuff in the pipeline. I’ve been lucky and blessed to be supported by Youth Music, who are supporting my next musical endeavours. I’m working on a solo project at the moment, but I’m also working on a collaboration project, which is really exciting stuff.
I think this year’s just about getting back into the flow, being more consistent with my releases, and just raising the level – not just for myself, but for the scene as a whole. It’s a really healthy scene at the moment in Wales, in Cardiff and beyond: pushing each other, supporting each other and raising the levels for ourselves. I look at people doing their thing. I want to do my thing too.
Ogun, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 17 Feb.
Tickets: £5. Info: here.
Ogun on Twitter
words EMMA WAY
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