Okikiolu Tolulope Awoyele, aka Zaki “Amujei” is a multi-talented artist. He is a singer, songwriter, and producer. Many of you might have heard his producer tag but not know he’s the one. As a producer, Zaki has worked with top artists like Davido, Fireboy, Peruzzi, Tekno, Goodgirl LA, Liya, and Superboy Cheque, among many others.
Zaki was born into a music-inclined family; with his brother as an instrumentalist, his dad, a songwriter, and his mum, a gospel singer, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree in Zaki’s case. He considers music his path in life and is ready to give everything to it and connect his audience to their emotions.
Zaki Amujei is currently signed to Clay Music Group. Let’s take a look into some spotlights in his musical career so far.
Okay, so when did Zaki begin his music career?
I started my music career in 2012 as an artist, then I became a producer later because I could not afford it. So I decided to learn production.
That’s some deep sh*t man!- Irebamiji chips in
[laughter]
I get this. We see many Producers transitioning to Recording artists recently and their fans are always shocked about it. Truth is, many of them started out as recording artists with an aligning interest in music production as well. Also, the resources available to them at their starting point might just be enough to start music production to serve as capital to fund their recording artist dreams.
So far, what has been your motivation or your influence?
Omo, my motivation na say na only music I get. I swear… Na wetin dey keep me going . And by my influences, you mean people?
Yeah, people, anything that drives you
Right from when I was a child, I was not brought up with all this normal hip-hop music, I was brought up with Tope Alabi, Bola Are and co. Gospel music. When I got to boarding school, I was able to let loose and listen to Psquare. I was just hell-bent on Psquare as a child and I would say they really taught me the melodies and everything, I learned the melodies from them and then Wande Coal came in and Wande Coal became the ultimate motivation.
That’s great. So when you get into the zone, how is it like when you’re in your creative zone? What’s the process like?
Man, I’m not always normal at that point because trust me, when I’m creating I’m in a zone where I feel like some spirits actually make the music in my head for me before I put it down.
[laughter]
I don’t know something about all my melodies, I know it’s quite angelic, I know there are angels there with me when I’m making my music. I always feel that heavenly vibe.
Hark the herald! Angels sing when Zaki is in his creative space.
That’s great. Permit me to ask, do you incorporate one or two vices in your creative process?
The holy spirit.
[laughter]
I get that. Alright. How has your experience been so far in the MBA Talent Project?
It’s been awesome, everybody is awesome, I roll with everybody here. Like I’ve been so cool with everybody and I’ve been eating food, I’ve grown fatter and MBA is not going to stop until I burst.
From tomorrow you’re fasting. Intermittent fasting. 6 to 6. Ohrma the “Camp Mummy” responds.
[laughter]
Okay, so what’s your most memorable experience so far?
Cooking sha. Cooking, you cook? Yes, I do.
Since you like food, what’s your favorite food?
I play video games, just video games. My favorite food is pounded yam and oha soup.
That’s nice. So what’s next for Zaki and what should we be expecting?
I really can’t say much but all I can say is I am not going to give up, until you people, everybody in this world listens to me. So, you people should just be expecting hit songs cause that’s the only thing I have to offer.
So we should just be expecting fire.
Yeah, fire. Back to back.
[laughter]
What will you be doing if you are not making music right now, if there is any alternative.
Omo, I would’ve been a teacher o. In a school or maybe a lecturer, I would be pursuing my master’s or PhD or all those things but God forbid.
I can imagine Zaki as a lecturer right now. His classes will be fun no doubt.
However, since we have Zaki Amujei feeding us good music as an Artist. It is only right you listen to his works. Check out his new single below.
Listen to Solo by Zaki Amujei– https://mad.ffm.to/solo
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