Missaei: Impacting the world, one dress, one song at a time

Amina Isa, aka Missaei, at 25, is currently making her mark home and abroad with her talents. She is a singer, songwriter and also a fashion designer who would probably go into filmmaking in the nearest future as she recently delved into film production. She recently visited Nigeria to mark her 25th birthday, celebrate her graduation from school as well as launch her music and fashion brand, where FRIDAY TREAT caught up with her.

How did your journey into music start?

I have been singing for as long as I can remember but I actually got the courage start recording started five years ago and ever since, it’s been just going to the studio, recording music and becoming more comfortable with that whole experience.

Resign before it’s too late, CJN told

Music is kind of very competitive here in Nigeria. How do you intend to grow your brand, stand out and then remain on top of the game? 

I honestly believe that if you do what you love and you are honest about, things will fall in line to work for you. That’s how it has been with my life. Anything that I put my heart into, I always find the way to make it happen for me.  It might not be the way others would want for themselves, but it always works out for me. So, I believe that though it is competitive and a lot of people experience disappointments, I know that I will find a path that works right for me in this industry and I believe that there is room for my kind of sound. I haven’t really heard any other artiste or a team of artistes that have done the kind of music that I’m trying to do, so I’m confident that there is a place for me in the music industry. Competitive or not, I think people need the kind of music that I have to offer.

What inspires your kind of music?

I listen to different kinds of music. I get influenced by various music but I am more of the person that likes  easy music; the kind of music that you can put on when you are getting ready for work, driving etc… When you just want to relax.  So I’m inspired by the things I see, what I feel when I go to certain place; like when I am  on vacation,  how I am feeling when I am with my friends, those are the kind of vibes that I try to recreate in my music. I really get that sort of feelings when I listen to some Sade Adu’s songs as well as Mr. Eazi.

How has the journey been so far? Any challenge trying to reach your aim as a musician?

I think it’s a little premature to really see how it is in the industry for me per se because I just graduated from my Masters at USC in California, and prior to that I wasn’t really a hundred percent into music, I was focused on academics and I was putting music on the side but now it is turning into something that is more on the fore front of my energy. So, we would see how it goes and God willing, everything goes according to plan but you know people plan and God laughs. Who knows what will happen but so far so good.

Do you have an album?

No, I haven’t gotten to the album stage. I am still trying to let people know who I am, be aware of the brand and the kind of music I put out, then an album can follow. I am working on some new stuff.  I have a song that came out last year, which is doing pretty well now. The song is titled ‘Flex’. I dropped another on December 1, called ‘Tell Me’ and the music video for that is coming out soon.

You are also a fashion designer. Can we talk about your fashion brand?

‘Koy and Victoria’ is my baby. I sort of came up with the concept, maybe three to four years ago but prior to that I had always been in tune with fashion – taking fashion classes while I was in the university and even in secondary school, I drew sketches and customised my school uniform. I would get into trouble but I was still doing it.  It was just something that was always a part of me. People always told me that I had great fashion sense and that I should start a fashion line, so it was kind of a natural progression for me until I came up with my fashion line ‘Koy and Victoria’. It is a women’s wear brand targeted towards women aged 18 and above.

Koy and Victoria is a lifestyle brand that is for the women that loves to feel good, feel free and sexy , as well as being able to explore travel. A lot of the pieces are transitional, and you can wear them when you are going partying or just casual. So, you can dress it up or dress down.

 Where are you based?

Right now, I am based in Los Angeles, USA and some pieces are being produced here in Nigeria too. We have the Adire pieces, the silk adire collection which is made here in Nigeria. We got the fabric here in Nigeria and made it here in Nigeria but it is marketed globally.

Is your fashion line high-end?

It’s made market. So the most expensive thing is probably going to be about 250 dollars and the most affordable thing will probably be around $65 dollars. Why? You may ask. That is because it is made out of silk.

What’s your niche in fashion?

The thing about ‘Koy and Victoria’ is … well, I call it laid back luxury brand, so you can dress it up and dress it down by either adding or removing jewellery. It is the kind of clothing that anybody can wear. It is the kind of clothing that any woman can wear and look beautiful.

How have you been able to combine both, trying to excel in the fashion line as well as in music?

I think they go hand in hand. I think that I can use the music persona to help elevate the fashion. But I think that this is something that a number of successful artistes have done. This is something that I am passionate about. It is a natural thing and I enjoy doing it. I have been singing all my life but I just started recording in a recording studio. So, that is how I have been able to deal with that and I have enjoyed every minute or should I say opportunity that came my way.

Where do you hope to be in the next ten years?

I would be an established brand globally but known as being a Nigerian brand catering to women of all sizes, all shapes and making them look beautiful as well as working on my music consistently.

Who or what do you consider as your greatest influence?

My parents have been very supportive and I am very blessed in that regard. They have been helping me stay motivated to stick to my passion.

If you had to advise young people today, what would you tell them?

Don’t listen to that voice that says that you are not good enough, that you don’t have what it takes and so on. Just do what you love, do what you want and stay true to yourself.  You know if you don’t, you are going to see other people doing the things that you know you could have done.