Every time I hear your songs, I hear you singing, I have a feeling that, for you, music is more than just a form of self-fulfillment. It's like a passion, a way of communicating with the outside world. It also tells a story - the story of your life, places that you visited, the story of your family. If music is a canvas, and the sounds are the paints, what is the meaning of the picture that you paint for your audience?  

My pictures always speak a similar language, which is that of depth, joy and truth which most of the time comes with a positive message.

I remember the words of an English guitarist Robert Fripp who once said: "Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence". How would you describe the social role of music? Its influence on the shaping of our personality?

I believe Music, Art and Fashion have achieved the social role of being a universal way of communication with no boarders. Music has and is one of the defined work of art connecting people till today.

Music brings me in connection to my inner self, strengthens me and also allows me to be fragile at the same time, which gives me balance. Through my music and that of other Artist, I learn something new every time and I feel flattered and honored that artists around the world share a part of themselves with us, it is like giving us the opportunity to look into their personal diary.

Multiculturalism is another feature of your music. This applies not only to your recordings, but also the ideological sphere. Your father was a Muslim, and your mother was a Christian. Although faith was important in their lives, they both understood it differently. Tell me, how did you find yourself in their world? What is the greatest lesson that you've learned from this experience?

I am so thankful to have been raised in these two religions, which I honestly believe, are teaching and preaching the same cause. However my parents had one of the most important ideologies in common despite their religion and that is- the meaning of love, faith and goodness. These were the things I was thought, and I believe they helped in making the person I proudly am today.

You were born in Nigeria, but you currently live in Portugal. As you admit you love this country. Its climate, nature and the lifestyle of the residents are close to your heart. For many artists, a place in which they live is a source of their inspiration. And how it is in your case? Is the prose of life in Portugal is sometimes the subject of your songs?

Portugal is a place I feel very connected to, because it is the perfect meeting point between Europe and Africa and I do not mean only geographically, but the integration of cultures, people and lifestyle. I am definitely inspired here in Portugal, since I moved here, another artistic side of me was not newly discovered, but actually brought to reality. I started my own fashion line- LAYORI. The environment in which I live and the weather, nature an people that surround me gave me the strength and courage to take up an additional career as a fashion designer. But honestly, I have to thank my fans and LAYORI music lovers for their continuous request of my designs, which I made for my shows and music videos. Their acknowledgement and appreciation gave me the confidence to take this step- “special thanks from the heart”.

The subject of my songs vary, but one thing they have in common is that, they are usually true, either my own experiences,  that of people around me or how I see things. One of the prose of life in picture di inspire one of my songs on my current album Rebirth. This song is called “Que Vida” which means what a life. With this song, I am thanking life for being so good to me and comparing the simple luxury of life to that of the sea breeze.

We often forget that talent alone is not enough to reach the highest laurels. The road to success is long, but you seem to know the objective of your trip. I wonder if your stubbornness and consistency in pursuit of the goal has always remained unchanged? Did you have the moments of doubt, moments where you regretted the decisions taken? According to Shakespeare, "our doubts are traitors”. You didn’t listen to their advices, I guess…

No, I did not listen to the voice of doubts, as this is only living in the past. I believe even when we make mistakes, take decisions that do not turn out in our favor and even sometimes get hurt. These are all the experiences we have to tell, to share and these all make us who we are.

I believe life is full of all kinds of challenges, gifts, treasures and achievements. I guess I just decided which path or road I want to take and stuck to it, for that I do agree with you, I guess my slightly stubborn and character and dedication did help along they. One of my favorite saying comes from my father ” everything is possible”.  I believe it!

Your first solo album entitled "Origin" was released in 2010. What were your expectations for its premiere? Did you feel that this was a special moment? Well, your dreams began to comply.

Releasing “Origin” was definitely a special moment; I finally got my first chance to present my own album. This was a big deal as I worked my way to the point where I am right now. However I realized this release was just the beginning of a long journey, which I am so longing for.

One of the tracks that promoted the album was the song "Dada". You recorded it in Yoruba. Beautiful in its sound, this language is kind of an enigma to many of your listeners. Could you tell as more about it? I get the impression that it perfectly captures the nature of your music.

Dada, dada, dada, I can say it over and over again. This song came to me because it is in me, all that which I sing. Dada la ma de ibi tan lo: In a good way, we will reach our………….

Everyone can fill I the blanks for themselves. It means whatever, wherever, we want to go, reach, achieve… we will get there in a good way. This is my national anthem for myself and for all those who feel the mood of DADA, it is a very transparent, simple but deep song which you can feel and follow only by listening. The power of this song is that it takes you, where you want to go, I hope it continues to do so.

I'd like to ask you now about your second album called "Rebirth" (2012). Its title is the result of your life experiences. You became a mother and it changed your perspective on many issues. You also grew up as an artist. How would you describe this CD? How long have you worked on its creation?

Rebirth is a unique album, so deep and full of truth. and I am not sure if any of my future albums can ever be the same. The reason is, you can only be a first time mother only once. Being a part of creation of life and every beautiful and tough moment that came with this experience made me not only give birth to a child but also made me feel Reborn, in the person I already am, thereby album titled “Rebirth”.

As for me, "Rebirth" carries a certain universal message. It rises above all divisions and language barriers. I’m curious what was your idea for the recording of this album? What was the keynote?

Thank you for the beautiful description and kind words. I feel quite the same. I was not afraid to write most of the lyrics of rebirth in my mother tongue Yoruba, because I believe it is not the language that we feel, but the mood, the sounds and dynamics, this is expressing music and that was all I wanted to achieve with this album.

Are you already working on some new material? When can we expect your next album?

I am currently finalizing songwriting and pre recording sessions for my next album, which we still plan to release this year. I can tell you already, the mood is quite different and so many new details …… one thing remains the same, it is still LAYORI!

In the era of the Internet, freedom of speech takes on a new meaning. The apparent feeling of being anonymous allows people to push the boundaries of good taste. How do you deal with the criticism of your work? It's hard to please everyone.

It is impossible to please everyone, and taste is a very personal perspective on things, however when criticized, the first positive thing about it is that another person has heard of your music and work, despite them liking it or not. I also believe there is always something positive one can take even from criticism and sometimes can even be a way to self improvement if well taken!

At the end, what is your vision of your future career? Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

My vision for my future career is to continue to make music from the heart express my artistic values in combination with evolving my fashion, but most of all still having lots of pleasure doing so. I see myself making a positive impact and contribution to the society and to those listening to my music and hope that I am able to continue to do so, worldwide!

That would be, my dream, come true!

Thank you for your time. It was a great honor for me. I wish you health and many further successes. Take care.

It’s been a pleasure answering your well thought questions Kamil, thank you.

Journalist: Kamil Mroziński