BOYRECK thinks an Ayra Starr collaboration would be a hit. The artist tells Afrobeats Head about finding his sound, the music that shaped him, his latest single “Genuine,” and why he considers himself “experimental, versatile and unrepeatable.”
Having spent time in Ibadan, Abeokuta and now Lagos, how would you describe the personality of each city? Which one feels most like home, and how have they influenced your music?
BOYRECK: Ibadan is a city I grew up in, that is home. I’d describe its personality as lovely and friendly. Abeokuta is a great city, I was born there, I am from there. I’d describe its personality as energetic and youthful especially because I am currently schooling there too. I haven’t really been to Lagos that much but from my experience while I was there, Lagos is a very interesting and energetic city.
Each city has its uniqueness which in a way has influenced my sound.
You started out as a rapper before finding your lane in Afro-fusion, R&B and Neo soul. Was there a particular moment or song that made you realise your sound was evolving?
BOYRECK: Yes! The story actually goes back to 2020, when I was hospitalized for more than a month. It was during that period Omah Lay dropped his debut album, Oxlade started getting recognition. I loved their sound so much and I said to myself that if they can pull off this kind of sound, I can surely do so too. Their songs kept me going while I was hospitalized and it became an inspiration for me during that period.
Olamide was one of your earliest influences. Who are some of the artists, past or present, that have shaped your music, and what have you learned from them?
BOYRECK: Yes, there are a few of them: Omah Lay, Oxlade, Buju.
From them, I learnt that there isn’t one way to create music. There’s always room for creativity, experimenting and improvement in whatever you do.
Give to people something they have been starved of and they will love you unconditionally and that is something I hold dearly as an artist. I want my people to be able to connect to my craft with a pure soul and love me unconditionally.
Your latest single, “Genuine,” is out now. What’s the story behind the record, and what were you feeling when you wrote it?
BOYRECK: Honestly, I had something different in mind when I heard the beat, I sang an entirely different melody on it. It was my producer, Chuksmagic, who told me to go home and rewrite the song.
I had many trials and errors before I finally managed to compose the intro of the song. I felt a different kind of peace when I composed the intro. It was like a man meeting his fated woman😂. I was in that feeling till I finished the song.
When you’re not making music, what does a perfect day off look like for BOYRECK? How do you usually relax and recharge?
BOYRECK: If I am in Ibadan, there are only a few things I do.
I usually go and help my mum at her shop. Honestly, I am not the type that goes out, if I am not at shop then I am at home😂
When I am in Abeokuta, it feels more youthful for me because I have my friends and coursemates around. There are more things to do.
Your music is full of emotion. Has love or being in a relationship influenced the way you write songs, or do you draw inspiration from other people’s experiences too?
BOYRECK: I get asked this question a lot, but I honestly think it is the way I was brought up. I have this calm, gentle and loving personality I’d say. I was brought up with love around me. And yes I draw inspiration from other people’s experiences too.
If you could collaborate with any three artists, Nigerian or international, who would make your dream collaboration list, and why?
BOYRECK: First and foremost, Olamide.
I love that man a lot, he made me fall in love with music.
Arya star, I can feel the connection in our sounds. I believe whatever song we make will be a hit. The scenes!!!
Lastly, Dave. Imagine me dropping a crazy hook and Dave coming in with those verses. It’s madness😂
You’ve been building your career steadily rather than chasing overnight success. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about patience and consistency in the music industry?
BOYRECK: “Consistency, consistency I promise to remain consistent In my positive version”
In this music industry, I have learnt that consistency cannot be underestimated. You have to keep doing your thing and improving.
Patience is a virtue but don’t overplay it, you shouldn’t be too patient, hunger has to override it but it needs to be balanced.
What’s one thing people assume about BOYRECK that isn’t actually true?
BOYRECK: People think that I am gentle because I don’t talk too much😂
As you continue to grow as an artist, what can fans expect from you over the next year? More singles, collaborations, a project, or something completely unexpected?
BOYRECK: Expect the unexpected, what if I bring Beyoncé out of retirement or I have a joint project with Drake or BTS?
Afrobeats Head Quick Fire
• Coffee or tea? Warm water
• Morning or late-night studio sessions? Late night
• Ibadan or Abeokuta? Abeokuta
• Rap or R&B? R&B
• One Nigerian artist you’d love to collaborate with? Taves
• One international artist you’d love to collaborate with? Dave
• A song you wish you had written? Honestly, there’s no particular song I wish I had written, I listen to all types of music😂 i could be jamming Fuji today, American old school tomorrow, RnB the next day, Apala, Trap, Hip hop, Beautiful Nubia, Reggae and so on…
I am not limited to one particular genre, I love exploring different sounds so it hard to say I wish I wrote a particular song.
• What’s currently on repeat in your playlist? Would I be selfish if I say Genuine? 😂 Okay seriously now “How do you do? by Beautiful Nubia”
I play the song almost every morning, I love it.
• Three words that describe BOYRECK.
Experimental, Versatile and Unrepeatable.
• What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
That I stammer a little bit, it’s been part of me since childhood but I don’t let it get the best of me.
• Finish this sentence: “In five years, BOYRECK will be a phenomenal artist, one that you get to experience once in a lifetime with a sound so unique to my identity alone.
”Genuine” by BOYRECK is out now on streaming platforms.
