5 Minutes with Idahams: The Nigerian singer-songwriter on tackling social injustice and his growth as an artist

Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Idahams has only seen his stock rise since the release of his critically acclaimed breakout EP Man On Fire. The afropop star has cemented himself as one to watch thanks to his combination of raw, honest lyricism and soothing melodies. Since Idahams started to cultivate his lane in the music world, the rising star has garnered over 40 million streams online, with that number only set to rise as his stature grows.

 Last week, the singer released his debut album, Truth, Love & Confessions. The project displays the growth Idahams has foregone over the last couple of years, resulting in a mature, concise and captivating listen. He’s not afraid to get personal across the 13-tracks as he touches on relationships, the climate crisis in his hometown and his near-death experience at the hands of the Nigerian police. Despite the serious subject matter, Idahams allows room for his vocal range to shine with expressive yet soft melodies that you’ll definitely find going around your head for days to come. Here, HUNGER catches up with Idahams to discuss his debut album, his love for the culinary arts and his journey through the music industry so far.

What’s your current creative process like?

My creative process has always been the same when it comes to making music. I play the keyboard and it’s very easy for me to pick melodies for a song, but what I do normally when creating music is first I get the melody and secondly, I figure out what the melody is saying to me, then I write and record.

How did your latest track, ‘Bad Girl’, with Ajebo Hustlers come about?

I went to visit Ajebo Hustlers in their home so I thought of going with my mobile studio because anything can happen. I got there and immediately after we shared pleasantries, I started playing beats from my system. ‘Bad Girl’ was the third one I played, we just started vibing and recording, and that’s how the song came about.

What can people expect from your debut album, “Truth, Love & Confessions”?

Greatness, elevation, and gratitude. I won’t be surprised by the milestones this album will bring because I know the amount of work and sacrifices I made to bring this project to life.

Why did you go with that title?

The title speaks to what the entire album is all about – my truth, love stories and my confessions – and I want the world to hear my story and be impacted by it, not just only now, but also the next generation.

Are you nervous about showing it to the world at all? 

I have never been nervous when it comes to my craft, I have always been intentional and my music always speaks for itself. The only thing that scares me is my dreams because they are bigger than me.

How have you grown as an artist since your first project?

My music has really connected to a lot of people around the world since my first project, My fans and I have a much greater connection, and I have also garnered some international collaborations that have elevated my reach. We just keep building on the digital space.

For someone who hasn’t heard your music, how would you describe it? 

My music is about real life, you can call it “Conscious Music”. Sometimes, it’s emotional, sometimes captivating. I have no genre, I just make good music.

I read that you’re big into activism and supporting social causes, how important is that to you?

Going back to what I said before, my music is about real life and I always talk about the things that happen around me and society. It’s very important to me because I want a better society, especially in my country Nigeria, I don’t want my unborn kids to face the injustices that we are facing now.

How are you feeling about the current Nigerian music scene?

I feel blessed because this is what we’ve been working towards and trying to achieve for a very long time. I’m so excited about the attention the world is giving to us and I’m glad to be a part of it.

What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t making music?

I would be a chef. Surprised? I don’t eat out. I make my own food. I’m very sensitive when it comes to my food. I love good food and my mom taught me how to cook and I cook very well.

What artist would you love to collab with?

Kanye West, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido – these four people are my idols.

Have you found it difficult navigating your way through the music industry so far?

Yes, every successful story has a difficult beginning. There have been times when things were very rough for me, but what kept me going is the saying that “everyone has their own time”.

What are your plans for the rest of 2022?

I will be focusing on my album after it’s been released. Shooting more videos, promoting it and touring it across the world. I’m also looking forward to my own homecoming headline show in Port Harcourt.