Naomi Achu Talks Rise Of Afrobeats & Performing On DJ Khaleds Cruise
The music industry is constantly evolving, and so are genres. And while hip-hop has been a major topic of conversation this year, as we celebrate its 50th anniversary, we also want to pay homage to Afrobeat and the movement around it.
This is where Naomi Achu comes in, who is here to delight audiences around the world with her undeniable talent. The singer-songwriter-rapper is best known for his hit song “Al Haji,” which took on a life of its own after its release on the eighth season of Big Brother Africa . Originally from Cameroon, Naomi is considered one of the pioneers of local pop music and is even considered the queen of Bamenda.
"Many people ask, 'Where is Cameroon?'" says Naomi Atcho. Sometimes they are confused with Cambodia. Cameroon borders Nigeria, we are sister countries. I make afrobeats. I do afro fusion. I write most of my songs, almost all of them, because I love to write. It's a way to express yourself. »
Naomi Ashoe recently revealed her new single and visual for Waiting All My Life. She's been spending time in Miami lately as well, hanging out with DJ Khaled and many other artists.
The source actually met Naomi Atchu, who was sent to Washington DC after a trip to Miami. Read below as we talk about his love of music, new releases, DJ Khaled's tour, goals, and more!
When did you fall in love with music?
When I was about six or seven years old. If you look at Whitney Houston's greatest love of all, it's obviously Michael Jackson. Everyone loves Michael, so I'm one of those weird Michaels. I'm a fan of Michael and Whitney Houston. They are my favorites, but I also have a favorite African one. I love Angelique Kidjo. I've loved his music all my life, it's amazing. Some other African artists: Manu Dibango and has her new boyfriend Richard Bona.
Have you always wanted to be a big afrobeat star or a great musician?
I know I want to sing. That's all I know. I know I want to sing, I know I want to express myself. There weren't many Afrobeats back then. It could be difficult for ten years as the music evolves. Pop of the decade is not pop of the decade and could have a different name. We have techno, we have electricity. I just know that I want to sing. I didn't give him sex. I just knew that I wanted to express myself by making music.
Was there a specific person who inspired the movie Waiting All My Life?
I would say yes, but it's more like high school sweethearts. Because if you think about it, you have people you knew when you were 14. You had to separate because you had to go to another high school or university or because you had to leave the country. Then you will be separated from someone you love. Wondering what life would be like if you had to reconnect with this high school sweetheart?
Where have you seen Afrobeat lately? Now they are even brighter than before.
Oh no, it must have taken over. I have no doubts about this. What helps Afrobeat is the social media platform. Because before the epidemic many people listened to the radio. But as the pandemic kept us at home, we started using Spotify and TikTok to express ourselves. The pandemic has really helped Afrobeat get a word out of it. Now that people hear it, they think it's "good music."
I love that whenever Afrobeat is on, people start dancing.
YES! I'm glad we can express ourselves in our own language. That it's accepted and means so much to people who want to learn the language, that's great.
Talk about all this experience with DJ Khaled, I Saw You Meet Jeezy and Fat Joe.
I met Jeezy and Fat Joe on a Summer Days cruise in early July, but that's also the everlasting DJ thing. Technically you are the crew. It's his team that turns summer days into outings. Dating Jeezy, Fat Joe. Extraordinary artist, extraordinary artist. They look good, they look great. They rocked the audience and everyone was happy to see them.
A few weeks later, DJ Khaled announced his collaboration with SNIPES. Obviously I had other things to do last weekend, but let me go ahead and show your support. So I went there with my team. We saw some trainers, pretty good stuff. high demand. particle. I could tell he was happy, everyone who was there was happy because the atmosphere was good.
The most important thing for me is the foundation. On Sundays, he organizes events for his foundation in collaboration with the Cercle de la Fraternité. They give back to society. There is a basketball court with We The Best From what I understand, We The Best is all about keeping teenagers and kids busy. To keep them busy and do something healthy. Bring them into healthy competition. Pit this team against this team and shoot for a field goal. It's a way to keep him busy and stay out of trouble. This is an event that I really like.
What is your relationship with DJ Khaled?
My relationship with DJ Khaled happened on his yacht. Summer Days Trip Where I Met Fat Joe and Jeezy is DJ Khaled's show. That's his team. Sometimes there is, sometimes not. I'm one of the artists in his circle, I'm just an artist like him.
Your best memory of this trip?
Honestly when I was playing. It's phenomenal. I love to play, I also play in front of Lil' Baby. Lil Baby showed up an hour later and had just seen the mood of the crowd on Afrobeats. I sang my song Pepper Them, he really liked it. As an African artist, playing in front of large hip hop crowds is a little different because my audience is generally very isolated and isolated. But it's hip-hop with the intensity and vibes of the island, but they hop. They love it, they enjoy it. These are my dearest memories, plus meeting and networking with other great artists.
You have some hip hop songs in your latest album and you also talk about your love for hip hop.
Growing up, I watched everyone. From Snoop Dogg to Queen Latifah, I love them. For me, writing is all about pacing. If I like the beat, I rock it. No matter how it looks, it's what makes me very flexible. Sometimes variety is a really good thing. I can go to any studio and do anything. I can sing, I can rap. I can do anything. This results in my versatility and love of different styles of music. He grew up in a line of children from all over the world.
goal for you?
This year I have to release another song. To be honest, my goal is to keep making music. I have a foundation called INA and I hope to return the favor. As I travel the world and visit various stages, I like to invite people to give back home. Especially by expats. People from Africa, people from Europe, who are out of their countries, only to go back again and again to where they came from. I hope to get this effect. As an African but a US resident, if you could find a way to encourage people to give back, it would boost the economies of each of those continents. I do it through music, and I return the favor. It's important for me to share that when I go to festivals.
