He told Red Edit Magazine how the idea of Lagos and its struggle gives his creative process a spice. Also aided by over a decade of self development on music and self upbringing in a very musically-influenced environment.

When not performing, he spends his time in the studio creating his own music or working on his DJ skills. DJ Blaqbeat has had a lot of time to develop his sound. He spent many years playing at all major local night clubs, holding multiple residencies, playing at special events and promoting his own shows. For him, it’s all about mood and a deep, hypnotic groove… Playing those tracks that get you tapping your feet and nodding your head without you realizing it, regardless of genre, tempo, style, or release date. Don’t be surprised when you suddenly find yourself dancing.

He concluded with saying,

“I have always wanted to bless people’s ears with music. So when I came up with Casablanca I knew it’s high time for me to start this journey.”

“My name is DJ Blaqbeat and I still have more in due season.”

The post Our Creative Spotlight With Dj Blaqbeat appeared first on Rededit Magazine.

He shares with us in a short interview why he chose music and why he featured the Sugar mummy of the Nigerian entertainment Industry, Teni in his new track “Holla My Name.”

What first got you into Music?

I got into music so as to be able to reach people all over the world and make them feel my sound.

Who inspired you to make music?

God is the inspiration.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Afrobeat crossover.

What is your creative process like?

My creative process is what i call Easy & Positive.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

it has to be Davido.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Davido

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Stay focused and trust in God

What is the most useless talent you have?

Running

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Yes. Gospel songs

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

I will probably be a doctor or a pastor. lol.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

I have performed all over Europe. No upcoming shows yet

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I feel it has impacted the music business greatly, because the world can hear your sound anywhere.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Definitely Holla My Name. Smiles

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Sizzla Kolongi

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Its not actual trouble. I paid for government an airport glass i mistakenly broke.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

I was told to stay focused, and increase my hustle and trust in God.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I would a whole lot, especially, help the younger ones grow.

What’s next for you?

Dropping the next single with Cynthia Morgan and the EP.

The post Victor Morgan On Becoming A Force To Reckon With appeared first on Rededit Magazine.

Some of you already know Ali from going viral when fashion designer/stylist Yomi Afolabi of Afolabi Lagos posted him on twitter.

For this issue Ali speaks with us about his life as a street hustler aka area boy. {Ali responded to his questions in English and Pidgin and the interviewer has chosen to leave it that way}

Introducing himself, our cover boy for the month, Ali Olakanmi is a 27 year old scrap collector, street hustler aka area boy and now part time model from Osun state. “I have a family, but they are far away in Osun state, my mother lives in Lagos though.” He says.

He became a street hustler after dropping out of secondary school in Jss2. According to him, he could no longer rely on his mother and had to make ends meet.

Ali is into scrap business where he buys and sells scraps. Even though there’s very little money in this business,  he tells us there are days and sometimes weeks where he doesn’t make a single sale from his scrap business. “I manage myself, if I get, fine, if I don’t, nobodi go know and if I get plenty, I go go give my mother sometin”

One thing is clear though, Ali wants to get off the street and if given an opportunity to choose, he would want to deal scraps on an upscale level; “I would like to be a waste manager’ he says.

Ali also enjoys modeling, as was evident by all his different poses and the ease he struck them with, he says; ”I like the model work and wouldn’t mind it full time if the money is good. Until then, I’ll just enjoy it part time and keep on doing the scrap work on the side also.

On his expectations from the first viral shoot, the ‘man in the green outfit’ says; “Omo, I no expect anything, I just did the shoot, then I begin to see say na blessing.” Even though he hasn’t gotten a lot since the shoot, Ali says Folabi has helped him in his own way since then.

When asked how his life had changed since the first shoot, he says  he hasn’t seen too much changes to his life since the shoot, but he reiterates his blessing is on its way. He admits his new found fame also “people de hear my name, dem don too know me, for m area dem de hail me, call my name.”  but according to Ali, making money is more important. “na money gan gan be issue.”

On the impact of staying on the streets on his mental health, he’s tired and fed up of the streets but he doesn’t think he has a choice, “no how I go do, so I just dey there, no be say I like the place.”  He also speaks on the ‘stigma’ and stereotypes generally associated with “street hustlers,” According to Ali, people look down on anybody they see on the streets and he believes its wrong as we are all humans and area bo or not, nobody deserves to be treated with spite.

If you had only one wish what would it be?

Ali Olakanmi: My own be say make I help my mother, my junior brothers, sisters them and people wey dey for street because people wey de for street dey hustle and me sef I no as e dey be for street. Make God help me too.

At the time of this interview, Ali’s management was working towards getting him an apartment and other basic necessities to get him off the streets. For more information, follow Ali on instagram: @aliolakanmi

The post Ikeja Underbridge To The World: Ali Olakanmi appeared first on Rededit Magazine.