As a truly pan-African publication, we take great pride in being able to interview some of the biggest stars across the continent. From Mzansi to Kenya to Nigeria to Ghana, we are blessed with some of the most gifted talents on the planet and this week we got to speak to another such talent when we interviewed Nigerian DJ and musician, L.A.X.
The versatile music-maker was busy in 2020 where he released a slew of singles from his hotly received album, Zaza Vibes, which he also claimed was one of the best records in Nigeria during the whole of 2020.
The album features sultry sounds and melodies and is influenced by trends from all over Africa to match L.A.X’s eclectic personality. We’ve enjoyed jamming the record, but not nearly as much as we enjoyed speaking to the man himself.
A soulful chat with L.A.X.
How is 2021 shaping up for you so far?
2021 Hasn’t really started for me, I’ve been in holiday mode! It’s just been about taking it easy for now, but soon we’ll be back it. BUt this year, like any other year, is all about the music man.
Thank you, thank you for the music. The music got us through lockdown!
You’re welcome man, we keep doing what we doing for this very reason!
Towards the end of 2020 you dorpped the video for “Go Low” How does it feel to start the year with a piece of music that’s doing this well?
Man you know how it is when creatives are creating man, they have a vision for a particular song and they are getting good reviews. Seeing how people are listening, vibing to this song is exciting for me.
I love how it’s such an Amapiano inspired song! It’s nice to meet sounds from SA meeting sounds from Nigeria. Is Amapiano big in Nigeria right now?
Man, it’s the big thing right now! We’re listening to Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small – we love them!
How did you blend the sounds from the different countries on “Go Low”?
The thing is, when you understand the music, it becomes really easy for you to make the connection and turn it into something that eventually comes to life. I got my in-house producer and we went back and forth, tried our best to make this sound very smooth and the end result is that everyone loves this song.
It’s a great song to jam online, but damn I wish I could hear it in the club! Obviously we can’t because of Covid but was this intended to be a party track?
Yes bro like you can’t even imagine, this is supposed to be a club banger bro. You need something in your hand when you listen to it!
“Go Low” is the second single from Zaza Vibes your latest project. Please tell us more about the other songs that have the album.
Most of the songs are just a vibe. There’s also the first single “Lose My Mind”, where I sampled Sade on the track. And the song is doing really well in Nigeria and “Go Low” is doing well worldwide.
You described it as “The best album to drop in 2020” – have people taken to the record?
People love the album because the songs are tracks that you want to listen to when you are driving, when you are calm or when you are just living your life. I made it really soulful and musically inclined so it has a lot of smooth sounds, a lot of delightful melodies. It’s just nice to listen to.
What’s the mood like in Nigeria in terms of how the government is responding to Covid?
Look most of us are tired of Covid, people are tired of everyting but we are still following the rules, we are still wearing our masks. It’s actually the people who are in control. Some people are stubborn, but most people know how real everything is.
In closing, what would you like to see happen in 2021 with regards to how the world is operating with this pandemic?
We just want to see things get back to normal so we can go back to enjoying our lives and everything else. Hopefully it can happen before the end of this year.
