Dubai-based Nigerian rising music star, Fatimehin Abiodun known by the stage name Bonzlight has aired his opinion on what good music should be all about. The Ondo State-born singer who crafted his own unique genre of music by fusing modern pop with Afrobeat says a good music should be simple, smooth and melodious.
While sharing his source of inspiration, Bonzlight gives his verdict.
“ I focus on sounds that can make people dance. The elements that influence my music are struggle and pain, Success and happiness , prosperity and joy. Money , Wealth , riches , love of a woman and love from mother to son. These are the music components I deliver when making different music.It has to be simple, rhythmic and no complexities .Music should be smooth and melodic,” he said.
“Good music should be all about the melody and message the songs is trying to send. , it shouldn’t be complex , simplicity is key,” he added.
Given his Yoruba origin, Yoruba music greats seem to have shaped much of his growth and orientation as he grew up in an environment dominated by music of the likes of King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and K1 De Ultimate. His childhood musical fantasies were all of these Yoruba musical forerunners . In fact he crafted his genre of music with a big bias to this influence.
“My music is a fusion of what I grew up listening to, K1 De Ultimate, Fela and Obey. My music is a blend of modern pop and Afrobeats sound. It’s a special blend created by me, and it’s different and it’s my unique sound,”: he said.
Bonzlight began music unofficially from the age of 17 but took a full plunge into the mainstream in 2010.
“I started when I was 17, the kind of music being played at parties back then , talking about King Sunny Ader, Commander Ebenezer Obey, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Junior and Pretty , K1 De Ultimate, influenced my musical growth. Those were the people I listened to while growing up and I always prayed to drop songs that would trend and have strong messages like the kind of songs they released. Back then,”he reiterated.
Bonzlight is a stand alone artist who has had to fight tenaciously for everything he has achieved both in life and musically. The only thing working in his favour is his tenacity and abject determination to succeed. When life was too tough in Nigeria he migrated to Dubai, United Arab Emirate where he is domiciled right now.