EL Nino Talks about his New EP and Record Label
‘’How far bro…’’ El-Nino says as he extends his hands out to greet me like a ‘’Gee’’. He looks different from the last time we met. His hairstyle looks simple but he has never been caught unfresh because ‘that’s how star do’. The room’s wall is decorated with a portrait of himself in braids and a picture of Afrobeat legend, Fela. Malik lies in bed, checking recent trends of the #EndSars protest with a troubled mind. Balogun Malik Adeyemi is a singer and a record producer with sheer diversity in different sounds. We had hours in his room/studio talking about his journey and plans for El-Nino Music Worldwide.
What can you say about your foundation in music?
Haa. I started making music in 2012. I had just graduated from secondary school. Drumming in class and rapping were the fundamentals of my music creation. After graduation, I attended a carnival where I met a friend that sings. I was excited about how talented the guy was. I felt I could do it and I got money from my brother to record in a studio where I recorded a song titled ‘Jupa’. That was how it started. I took a break at a point in time because I had to get admission. I started fully in 2019.
Is the song on streaming services?
No, it is not. ‘Even the song I get for 2019, I don commot them’. It is just my way of rebranding. I am not saying that the songs are not worthy of being on streaming services but the engineering of those records are not solid enough.
El Nino is known for what?
As a singer, producer, mixing engineer
Musically, which of these arts do you love creating?
I enjoy making beats. I express myself more whenever I make beats. I get melody in my head and I start vibing to it. I love to freestyle.
Which one came to you naturally at first?
It was singing. There is a thought I have which is that there are tons of artists out there and I want to do something extraordinary. I thought of going into music production with this mindset.
Let’s talk a bit on your upcoming EP and the creative aspect of it. What has been the the process?
There are two tracks off it which is ‘Mariello’ and ‘Lost’ with Yhemhi. There is something that underground artists do now which is turning out good for us, which is releasing a body of work. The name I had initially for the EP was ‘alte ego’ from the word ‘alte’. The kind of music I make is the alternative new school afro. During the process, I had the thought that I needed people to know the name El-Nino since my production tag is ‘This is El Nino’. This is why I didn’t put on lots of features. I want people to know who I am and what I am capable of.
You have released a joint EP with Yhemhie in the past and you also produced his YFTG EP. You both have strong creative ties…
‘Lost’ with Yhemhi has been my №1 song. If I am performing soon or meeting someone for the first time, the first song I will play is ‘lost’. Big shout out to Yhemhi. The hook on that track is catchy. Lost is my major song. It is the second track on the EP.
I have two songs on the EP that are personal to me. The first one is ‘Call my phone’. The track is based on a true-life story. It is about a girl that I like. ‘No how wey you be boss for this life, you go meet person wey craze pass you’. You know some girls are tough to handle. I like her but the vibe coming from her is just different. Even after the upset, I still liked her. That song is telling a story about a particular girl I like.
Are you still pushing on that girl’s matter?
My brother, let’s leave that matter for one side. Let’s end Sars first (laughs)
The tracklist is out. You have been putting out freestyles, beats online, and also hanging out with friends. From afar, it might not add up much. Will you say that this process is planned or unintentional?
One thing that I tell people is that no matter how well you want to show people what you do; you have to put more of ‘you’ out there. The whole process and roll out is a part of me. From the Cigar in the Mariello artwork to my hanging out with friends; it is a part of me. From my old song, ‘Fake love’, I try to engage my listeners. I try to get close to them and feel my energy.
Why Mariello as a song title? What sparked that idea?
While growing up, I watched Telenovela series with my sister. I was at home for a year due to strike. We bought these movies. I got the name from these movies. I was working on the beat and the name popped up. I got the vibe and created a story from my own life. Mariello is just a random name but Mariello is a girl that has been in my life.
On the tracklisting, did you work on this alone or you have people you work with?
I work with a lot of people like Yhemhi, Memphis, Phyl (Produca Wa), Jopelo, Bizzonthetrack. This music thing, you need people on board. For the tracklisting, we listened over again. I had to change some track names too.
You had a song with Yhemhie early this year on police brutality. Did you just experience Sars when the record was released?
It is still part of life experience. It is just a record of what we have been through
Do you have any close experience with police brutality in the past?
I have always been careful with life. I have not experienced much of police brutality but I have friends that have faced this before that I have even helped with money and other things. We have all directly or indirectly experienced police brutality before. There was a time I travelled to Lagos and the police stopped us. We told them we are artists and they let us through…
Are you saying that there are times when luck will follow?
There is no level of ‘OT’ that can save you from these guys. We should just pray that we should not fall into trouble. Anyone can be a victim.
Checking your discography, you have done production for other artists and music collaborations. Do you intend on making music fully or working as a label executive?
I am going fully into music. I will sing, produce, and own a label. I will be a music lord (ahhh).
You are making progress as a record label. Already, you have your first signee in the person of Olami. Signing a female as the first artist under a record label is hardly found in the Nigerian music space. What inspired this move?
It is simple. She has all it takes to be at the top.
Is it based on talent?
She is very good. She deserves to be heard. She deserves to be heard.
What’s the direction for El-Nino Music Worldwide?
We are aiming for the top. We have started by building our first artist which is Olami. She is dropping her first official single next month. She is this new school alte vibe. She is the best vocalist I have ever listened to you.
How do you balance the responsibilities conferred on you?
The first thing I tell people is that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. I have a label and it is registered. The new signee is not a stranger. She started up as a songwriter for me. This idea of starting up the label is to build a team that grows together so that at the end of the day, we will all be at the top. There is no much money that is being pumped in but sponsors will be needed to push it.
What’s the unique direction on this EP?
One has to go through playlisting and PR. Money is very important in this. Also, my fans are my greatest assets.
What do you think of the musical landscape in Lautech?
Before now, it was not the best because of a few mid songs. It is hard to change that narrative but artists are coming up to do that. The music will speak for itself. I got countless of DMs on the music I make. When the time comes, people will see.
After the release of the EP, what’s the plan? The EP is planned to drop in the heat of the End Sars movement. This is a tough period. What’s the projection?
In this moment, something good will come out of it. It’s just God’s plan. I have thought of delaying the EP but with this music thing, one cannot just wake up one morning and say ‘I am not dropping it again’. There are lots of processes taken for its release. I have sent it to stores the last two months. I have pitched the songs to playlist platforms. When you go out and protest, when you come back, you go jam song. Even in wars, people listen to music.
What bigger picture does the label have after the EP release?
After my EP, El Nino Music Worldwide will drop a song featuring Bizzonthetrack, Abu Aliyah, and myself. The song is produced by me and Remiiti. Olami will also drop her single titled ‘Run’
What can you say to music creators considering a certain level of your music experience?
It’s just consistency. Another thing is that your sound is unique. No one can own it. For me, I enjoy my mid-tempo. I am not selective with artists I work with as a producer.
