Duncan Daniels Talks “Obalende” Lyrics And Upcoming Album — Interview

Duncan Daniels is well aware that creativity is improvisation. The talented artist discusses the process behind his new single “Obalende,” and also his upcoming album. Scroll down to listen to the track and read our exclusive interview.

1 — Why did you pick “Obalende” as the first single of your upcoming album S.O.L.O?

The great thing about this project is that I had 7 months after completing the project to plan its release. During this time I had set up mini virtual listening sessions with friends, other producers, and A&Rs to help gauge the project. Based on the feedback, I felt in other to properly roll out the project it needed to be Obalende that led it. It’s a very easy earworm nostalgic track and its job is to work on the listeners’ psyche, subliminally inviting them for more.

2 — What’s your favorite lyric line from that song?

The lines that begin the and verse.
“I never felt like this before… We did it on the kitchen floor”

3 — When and where did you write down those verses?

Funny enough I actually did not write, I just got on the microphone at my home studio where every track was recorded and just began recording what came to mind and this just stuck. That’s the beauty of this project. I allowed myself not to overthink things and just let my creativity flow like water from a faucet.

4 — What message do you hope fans take away from the lyrics?

To be honest, I hope it brings some kind of sweet positive memory & that’s the beauty of these songs, they can have many different interpretations depending on the listener. I’m just satisfied if it’s a positive one.

5 — How does your writing process work?

Typically I try to get my melodies down first. I’m a keyboardist and that’s how I convert melodies to lyrics. This can be difficult sometimes when I’m having writer’s block but I always tend to know when the right lyrics surface. This project was different though. I pretty much free-styled all the way, then made sense of it after the fact. This was very new for me.

6  — What images does “Obalende” conjure up in your mind?

What comes to mind is my earlier years in music visiting Lagos for the first time from Port Harcourt. Before getting to Lagos island, you had to go through that part of Lagos and at the bus parks, you always hear the conductors screaming “OBALENDE!..OBALENDE!…OBALENDE!” yeah! That’s what I think of when I listen to the song.

7 — Have you considered remixing it?

Oh! I am already working on a deluxe version of the album with Grammy Academy producer Antonio Vergara and also hope to add some Afrobeats a-listers to the remixes.

8 — Can you reveal what makes the new album so unique?

Wow, so many things set this project apart. First off, I allowed myself limitless range and surprised myself by doing so many different things I do not normally do. From rapping to Jamaican raga, to vocalization styles, experimental harmonies, and vocal layering. I can go on and on. What really also makes the project unique is that it’s one of the first Afrobeats albums to be mastered by Abbey Roads Studios. Yes the same Abbey Roads of The Beetles, Harry Porter, U2, Florence and the machine, etc.

This album was touched by the same folks that finalized tracks for all these legendary artists but it did not stop there. We took the project a notch with the help of mixing pro-Alex Solano, by up-mixing it so the listeners can enjoy it in immersive 3D spatial audio, so the project will be available in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal as well as any DSP service that adds this feature down the road.

9 — Did you collaborate with other artists for this project?

Haha! so there aren’t any other artists vocally on the project. S.O.L.O right? However, I did co-write 2 tracks on the album with US-based Afrosoul songstress Yemilove and worked with 5 other amazing young and gifted African music producers whose names are on the album credits.

10 — Lastly, what other things are you working on?

Right now I’m solely focused on a long-term strategy with this project, I am looking forward to featuring other artists’ works and collaborating on production with other music producers. However, S.O.L.O album is special so I’m going to give it a campaign befitting of the quality of work.

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