Why I’m releasing album in the U.S – Dare Art-Alade
Five months after, he’s wrapping up work on a set of materials expected to propel an international release. Working with underground Nigerian producers Cobhams Asuquo, Ayodele Basil, Patrick Mathias; and Grammy-nominated American producer Kurt Clayton, in Lagos and the United States, over a period of four months, the multi-talented singer is brewing proudly Nigerian rhythm […]
Five months after, he’s wrapping up work on a set of materials expected to propel an international release. Working with underground Nigerian producers Cobhams Asuquo, Ayodele Basil, Patrick Mathias; and Grammy-nominated American producer Kurt Clayton, in Lagos and the United States, over a period of four months, the multi-talented singer is brewing proudly Nigerian rhythm and blues, for the consumption of a people uncertain about what to expect from Africa in an internet age.
“This is all I’ve worked on since March. Apart from promoting my album and playing gigs, all I’ve done is work, work and work. And I’m excited, not just because of the prospects I see for me and my label, but for the entire industry. They’ve got to stop underrating us in Africa. We’ve got loads and loads of talent over here; and its time we make the world realise that”, Dare said.
“We’ve been at it since the current album was launched,” Dare told journalists. “Actually, we were already neck-deep into the production of the next album when the last one was released.”
Asked about the challenges of working in Nigeria, he said: “Hey, I’m just thrilled to be working with some of the most amazing talents that we have in this country. There’s a clear sense that the time has come for the Nigerian music industry to take its place in the world and it’s something of a privilege to be part of that.”
The new materials – although principally R&B – are heavy on percussion, pushing the talking drum and it’s close cousins to the fore. And the themes, although mostly about life, love and living; are unmistakably reflections of the triumphs and travails enveloping a passionate music maker tucked in the heart of the world’s most mis-understood and mis-represented continent.
Dick Griffey (of the famous SOLAR records), who’s the Chairman of Dare’s label, Soul Muzik, recommended Kurt Clayton, a promising Memphis-based producer who has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Three 6 Mafia, and has been nominated for Grammys. Keen about fresh talent, Dare sought the permission of his handlers to involve gifted underground Nigerian producers Ayodele Basil and Patrick Matthias on the project. Cobhams, a regular Dare collaborator, was also involved in the production of the last album.
“I am blessed to be working with Dare and I’m pleased to share my talent with this talented singer and his country Nigeria”, Clayton told memphisrap.com after returning home from Nigeria where he worked marathon sessions with Dare in June.
But now that the material is ready, what next? “I hand it over to the label,” says Dare. “I’m fortunate to have a very formidable team, both here and in the US. So we hand over the music to them, and I head back to the studios, to begin working on another album for Nigeria and South Africa. I’ve always dreamt of a day when I’ll be able to focus on my music. I’m glad I’m getting there now’’.