Nigerian-born United Kingdom-based soul jazz musician, Shade Aboderin, popularly known as Shady Blue, has continued to stay unique with her unique vocal style and genre fusion. In this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA, she speaks about her life, music, and vision.
You have kept a low profile lately. Any reason for this?
Yes. In the last two years, I’ve lost a lot of people in my life. Since the COVID era, people around me have been dropping dead, especially musicians I work with and even my manager, Steve Osagie. It’s been terrifying for me, and even I have had some health challenges myself so it was all a trying time.
I was heartbroken, and it took me a while to bounce back. But I had to console myself with the word of God and every good impact they left behind. I would say that I have tried to get over it, and though the pain can go easily, I have to move on.
You recently held a solo show in Nigeria. What was the experience like?
I sincerely thank God for the success of the event tagged, “Shady Blue Live in Lagos.” It was a gathering of fans, friends, and family as well as media at the Astro Lounge, Ikeja. It was indeed encouraging and I am glad that the feedback has been good. I felt I needed to do a live show which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. People keep asking me why I went ahead to do a show that is self-funded with no sponsors coupled with the fact that I’m a single mother as well as asking me why I want to go and do braiding hair for about 10 hours for peanuts, but my answer to that is that I want to have a legacy that once I die, there will be something about me left behind.
I have been coming to Nigeria severally and I have been able to achieve more in Nigeria because I don’t get enough sleep in the United Kingdom. I sleep for about three to four hours a day, so Nigeria is better for me.
How would you rate the acceptance of your music abroad?
As a black woman, music doesn’t get better abroad. As a woman even, it is hard to get your music out there unless you’re willing to let your dignity go and there are some things I wouldn’t do because I want my music to be out there.
However, I haven’t been able to do much full-time because I have a full-time job, and business and I’m also a mother. So, it is difficult to do music full-time and you see a lot of artistes going into depression and stuff because of the difficulties in dedicating themselves full-time to music.
However, I want to be remembered for the lyrics and sound of my music. My music is very unique and it’s not the same as everything outside. My roots are from the jazz and soul background. It is not popular anywhere in the world. It is for the elite and small people. People just want to go to parties and forget their sorrows, but I’m a realist.
Your father is a veteran Jazz musician. Would you say he influenced your music career?
Yes. He did. My inspiration is from jazz and although I’m still learning to fuse more sounds into my music. However, my roots are still jazz. Who knows? I can collaborate with Portable tomorrow.
Meanwhile, my father didn’t teach me music. Everything I know, I taught myself. He didn’t teach me because he knew how hard it was to do music, but I’ve always been a bird, free-willed, and determined and that is why I’m in music.
I started singing at the age of four. My early performances were at local shows, such as the Cultural Centre and Adamasingba in Ibadan, Oyo State.
There are insinuations that female artistes rarely support one another. How will you react to this?
We can’t say they are not doing enough for us because how many female colleagues do they want to help? It is also a struggle for them as well and you won’t know until they open up. So, I’ve just decided I’m going to continue to choose my passion and stop doing it for the fame.
I want to be able to mentor the young artistes – someone to guide them and take them through the music industry. From my experiences so far, it is something I want to do. I’ve learnt that God’s plans for us aren’t the same and even if it will take time, it will end up taking fruition. For example, I was someone who was told that I’d never have children, and now I have two at God’s appointed them.
You sound too spiritual, why didn’t you pick gospel?
I started music in the church and none of my parents went to the church. However, I see gospel music as solely for the calling and not for fame or passion or money. I love God, but gospel music is not my calling. If I get a Grammy today, I’ll go on the stage and talk about God.
How do you get inspiration for your songs?
Most of my songs are from real-life experiences. For example, I love love and I sing about love. I’m trying to speak to people through my music. I have very solid roots in music. I started music at a young age and travelled to the United Kingdom (UK). I was part of the JJC 419 Skills; the only girl in the group which had Abdulrasheed Bello, the founder; Don Jazzy, and D’Banj. I later joined a girl’s group that made waves in my hood. As I said earlier, I started from the church and until I moved to the UK, I was doing a lot of gospel shows.
Professionally, I have released a couple of songs and albums including, Jeje, My Way, Follow, Let’s Go, Better Without Me, Sokagbo, Energy, Suya, and all these songs are making waves.
I am not stopping, because I believe my music is more than just entertainment; it is a source of hope and healing for my audience. Did you know that music can heal? Maybe I was called to create music for hope and healing. More songs are still coming because I have God’s backing. I want to motivate a lot of people and inspire them. For people who don’t know where to start, I want to speak to them. I’m not a cleric or pastor, but I want to inspire souls with my music.
Which female artistes would you like to work with if the opportunity arises?
I’d love a collaborate with Asa. She is very talented and insanely underrated. I would also like to work with Yemi Alade; she is creative and someone who promotes African culture. If it is God’s will for me to work with them, I will.
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