Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your recent album, “Doghouse,” and what it means to you to have achieved the first Irish #1 album by a Rap Act in history?
Our inspiration was found by being in the mode of constantly grinding. Following Full Circle, there was massive success but nothing changed. So when we were loading up for Doghouse, we knew that we had to put in the work to get into a space where there would be the best possible outcome for our future. Doghouse actually flips the original connotations of the phrase, turning bad words into positive outlooks. After Full Circle reached No.2, we needed the No.1 for Doghouse, something which hasn’t been done before (being black and Irish) - so it means a lot more. We are now going down in history, showing that it really CAN be done. This means that young artists in the same lane can see how previously impossible achievements are now becoming possible. I always wanted someone to look up to when I was younger - now I am that person.
How has your Nigerian heritage influenced your music and creative vision, especially in the context of making history in the Irish music scene?
I moved to Ireland when I was 6 years old. As a result of not being in my home country, I was dissociated from everyone else. But, being in Ireland helped me find my path. I never found things cool that everyone else did, so I had to find myself. Growing up, people would tell me that I’m not Irish - regardless of if I had the passport or not – even though I’d lived there forever. I felt like a bit of a stranger, having to work out how to blend my two lives. I am forged in Ireland, but my roots are Nigerian (Motherland Energy) - the sounds of the songs and tones of my voice are spawned from this fact. My Aunty sang to me in Ireland from 14-19, so these inspirations have always been around me, and have continued to follow me through the different stages of my life.
What do you hope listeners take away from “DOGHOUSE,” both musically and thematically?
Essentially, working hard. We are the first rap group going crazy like this, building a core audience in Dublin as well as elsewhere. Fans either love all the songs, or most of them, whether it is the music they listen to normally or not. People feel our energy, they understand the flow, meaning they resonate with the music. Dublin IS the Doghouse, you only really come here to lock in and work - there isn’t much else going on. It's in a rebellious stage where the youth don’t want to conform to a 9-5 job. Young people then get driven out by the government spending money on useless things instead - we are building a community that allows space for these people to come together and thrive. I want people to understand how much I put into the project, I’ve left parts of myself in there. Our lyrics have always followed us throughout the years - K9 freestyle (Full Circle) contains bars that we've followed through on: ‘Maybe next year you’ll see us on the covers and in & out charts rotating'. I just pray that God allows things to keep going the way they are.
Looking ahead, how do you envision your music and career evolving, especially after the success of this album?
My music evolves with me, that’s what inspires it. Right now, loading up the next project (a solo project) scares me - I’m completely out of my comfort zone and a bit unsure as to how it’ll go. I want to look back and know that I've really made noise, that this is it for me. So, I’m taking my time with things. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself or the music, or I won’t end up doing anything. I need to just trust myself, and believe that it’ll be another amazing project that people will continue to feel. I'm very excited though, because I have some crazy ideas. As I get older, I’m getting wiser; I’ll always say whatever I want to, but I want the music to really speak to the audience with honesty. People need to see the real me, and become closer to me.
