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Equation… Homeboy Returns With Soothing Sound

By Chuks Nwanne
07 December 2019   |   4:18 am
Having made noticeable impact in the United Kingdom, 17-year-old Adam Ephraim, otherwise known as Equation, is currently in Nigeria to promote his brand of music...

Having made noticeable impact in the United Kingdom, 17-year-old Adam Ephraim, otherwise known as Equation, is currently in Nigeria to promote his brand of music, which is a unique blend of UK sound and Afrobeats.

Songwriter and rapper, the Cross River State native started recording music at an early age in Kent, United Kingdon, where he surpassed his peers and was given the title “BIK” (Best In Kent). Though now focused in building his music career, football remains a major part of the rapper, who was once member of the Liverpool Academy.

Having released a couple of songs in the UK, Equation returned back home with a brand new single, Faaji, an experimentation that saw the singer blend his UK sound with Afrobeats, which is fast gaining grounds globally. Currently under Vanessa Bridge Management by Kese Jabari, he’s working on a major collaboration with an A List Artiste for his forthcoming album project. Meanwhile, the rapper has announced plans to release a new single, Cobami in the coming days.

Speaking at a media briefing held recently I Lagos to unveil his plans, the singer informed that the inspiration for his song Faaji, which was recently released, came while he was working in the studio.

“The idea for Faaji came up in the studio; I and my producer laying down beats and melodies, it was just a vibe. We were just messing around it and it became a song,” he noted.

Described his brand of music as Afrobeats, the rapper said he draws inspiration from Nigerian artistes such as Burna Boy, Teni, 2Baba, and Fireboy, Joe Boy and other homegrown talents, who have taken Nigerian music to global stage.

“I specialise in Afrobeats, Afro-pop, Afro-trap… I’m rising on the scene now. As an artiste, I’m very versatile and you will see a lot of that in my music.”

On why he resolved to come home at this time in his career, the explained, “This was just the time things started to get serious; things are easier now. I feel like now is the time; I feel like I’m ready. This is something I’ve been dreaming of all these years, but now is my time to strive and shine. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t actually my choice; it just happened.”

To the singer, Nigeria has become a major part of the global music industry, with homegrown talents hitting headlines.

“For me, Nigeria is the outlet for a lot of things; music has achieved so much. I’ve done a lot in this week that I’ve been in Nigeria; I can’t wait to share all that in the near future.”

Before music came calling, Equation had a dream of becoming a professional footballer.

“I used to play football; I was at the Liverpool Academy. Then, I was just doing music on the side until the last football club I played for released me. So, I had to bring music to the fore. Football was there before music, but it’s a hard decision on which one come first for me now. Right now, I’m doing music full time, maybe when I’m more established and I have structures put in place for my music, I might go back to football; maybe play on the side,’ he enthused.

In readiness for the Nigerian music industry, young Equation had to tweak his sound to fit into the traditional Naija vibe.

“I had to change my sound to Afrobeats,” he noted, adding, “I’ve done Afrobeats before, but not as free flowing as I do it now. I was doing the usual UK sound and what people in the UK would love to hear, but I’ve kind of tried to stick to a certain genre now until I establish myself here. I’m quite a versatile artiste, so, it make things easier for me.”

With the rising profile of Nigerian artistes globally, Equation feels very proud to be a Nigeria.

“It makes me proud to be a Nigeria, that I’m part of this great phase happening at the moment. That I’m still going to have an impact on it as well is something to be proud of. It makes me feel, ‘yes, I’m a proud of my country.’ I’ve always been proudly Nigerian, but with what the country has achieved through music, it gives me more reasons to be proud of my fatherland,” he enthused.

While most Nigerians are surprised and excited with Burna Boy getting nomination for the Grammy Award, Equation actually saw it coming.

“I kind of saw it coming since his single Like To Party; that kind of took him up there. Now, he’s nominated for Grammy, big ups for that. Hopefully, whatever happens, I wish him the best of luck. He’s gone international working with both UK and American artistes. Like I told you before, Nigeria is an outlet for music; even Wizkid did a song with Drake, then you have Davido with Chris Brown. All of a sudden, Nigeria is just going international with songs; I wish to be a part of it,” he said.

With Burna Boy’s nomination and exploits of other Nigerian artistes, Equation sees more opportunities for Nigeria artistes in the global music scene.

“It gives me encouragement; it motivates me to feel like, ‘if someone like them can do a song with Drake, why can’t I? What’s stopping me?’ It will be a dream really, but we just keep working; it will come at the right time, no doubt.”

On what he’s bringing into the Nigerian music industry, he said, “Fresh materials, different sounds people haven’t heard before. I’m bringing together UK sound and Afro-vibe to make a sound everybody will enjoy. Even in the UK, Afrobeats is on the rise as well, so, I’m mixing both sounds together; I’m giving the people the best of both world,” he said.

Obviously, returning home comes with lots of challenges, which Equation seems to be dealing with at the moment.

“Everything, from the flight to landing, the heat… a lot of obstacles. But this is the sacrifice I’m making for my music,” he said.

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