Fast Rising Nigerian Music Producer, Lord Skye, whose real names are Benjamin Idoko, is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the Nigerian music business, having worked with notable Nigerian music stars, such as Rudeboy of the defunct Psqaure, Iyanya, Tekno, Reminince, among others. The Benue State born and graduate of Middlesex University London, in this interview with Zebra News, explain why he dumped Information Technology for music.
What informed your love for music producing?
Well, I’ll say my love for making music. I started playing the bongo at 6 years, the drum set at 8, and the piano at 10 years old. My mum got me a “sequencer” keyboard, and at some point I realized I could make beats with it. Boom! I was exposed to another world.
What else would you have been doing, if you were not a music playing producer?
If I wasn’t doing music I’d probably have been a full-time computer programmer, Software Developer or i I.T project manager. That’s what I studied in school.
To start with, before deciding on music producing; did you ever imagine or see the Nigerian music industry getting to this level?
I’ll say I imagined the industry would get to the level it’s at now and more. I travel a lot, and meeting people from all over the world I realized “Afro beats” as a sound is something that is very appealing to the world in general and it was only a matter of time and exposure for the world to recognize and accept it. That exposure has become way easier with social media now.
Of all the songs you have worked on as an established producer – which is your favorite and why?
My favorite is Good Looking by King Josh and Iyanya. It was the first song I did as an established producer, which explains the attachment to it.
Before accepting to produce a song for an artist, what factors do you put into consideration?
I don’t consider too many outrageous things before deciding to produce an artist, because I love creating. I love the idea of molding what might be muddy clay to a beautiful audible sculpture. I also enjoy helping budding artistes discover themselves and their comfortable sound. Once terms are met, I’ll likely work with anyone who can follow a rhythm. I don’t really count anyone out, and I enjoy the challenge.
Do you think Music producer are getting their desire attention and rewards for their efforts in this part of the world?
I feel producers are getting the attention they desire, it may not be as much as the artiste, but if the producer wanted all that attention he’ll probably be an artiste. Speaking of the rewards for their efforts, that’s dependent on how you brand yourself as a producer, and how you uphold the standards of your brand. If you do, you’d get the rewards for your efforts.
You seem to be Rudeboy’s to go producer; how did you meet him?
How I met Rudeboy? Simply put, He sent me a DM on Instagram. His humility is next-level. I had put out some of my work on Instagram. He saw it, He sent me a message telling me it was great and he liked it.I appreciated that a lot and told him I wanted to do 1 song for/with him. He laughed and invited me to his house the next day. I went there and we made fire. He loved the way I was able to bring the song ideas in his head to real life sounds, so he calls me up when he has songs in his head. And trust me, he wakes up with a lot of songs in his head.
Do you see yourself also replicating the magic of his brother Peter Psquare if he asks to work with you?
Well, even though there’s a musical split in the P-square duo I’m not oriented to have any hard feelings towards Peter. Rudeboy has never spoken ill of Peter whenever we are working or hanging out. He only has good to say about him. Working with him shouldn’t be a problem of course, but since it’s much more than just business between Rudeboy and I now, I’d want to seek his opinion first.
Do you see a future with P-square back working as duo?
Oh yes, I see a future. Everyone who has loved P-square music sees a future of them back together. That’s what we all wish for, but much more than that I’m Wishing its not a “forced” comeback. Hopefully, the differences that brought about the reason to carry on music individually is thoroughly sorted out. So that it’s not just the listeners that are happy, but the duo is also happy and in a great place mentally.
You seems to be very good on most of the music instruments – how were you able to master that?
I loved making sounds as a kid. It helped that the first instruments I learned were percussion instruments followed by the piano, and then a woodwind instrument. It also helped that I learned all those instruments on my own. Every other instrument I’ve mastered was really just a translation of melody and rhythm from the first instruments I learned.
Nigerian music producer you admired or draw inspiration from?
Nigerian music producer I admire is Don Jazzy of course… I like how he was able to brand himself and mold it into diverse brands in the music industry.
Having worked with some of the big names in the Nigerian music industry, what experience has this taught you and what impact has that on your career?
Working with big names has opened me up to diversity. The diversity of sound, diversity of ideas. Artiste A doesn’t want what Artiste B wants, and what you want as a producer might be different from what A or B wants. The ability to bring the best out of A and the best out of B while having your touch in both is a major thing to learn.
Quick recap of some of the big names you have worked with in the Nigeria music industry?
I’ve worked with Iyanya, Rudeboy obviously, King Josh, Kizz Daniel, Reminisce, Tekno and many more…
You mind sharing your love live?
I don’t mind sharing my love life. I post videos of myself in the studio making music on Instagram. That is absolutely sharing my love life.
As a known producer, with plenty of female admirers around, how do you handle the love from your famale fans?
It’s easy to handle the love from my female fans by giving that love right back to them. As long as it’s not the dangerous type. I’m a nice guy.
Aside music production, what else do you do or what else do you intend to add to your cap in the nearest future?
Asides from music production, I’m an I.T consultant for 2 companies. But that’s all the time I can spare from music production. I’m a First Class graduate of Information Technology from Middlesex University London. I didn’t let that go to total waste.
To those who look up to you for mentorship, what do you have to say to them?
I’ll say they have patience in whatever they’re learning and trying to achieve. Don’t be only about the money, be about mastering the craft and the money will chase you.
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