Jesus Muhammad interviews Avit
Possessing an incredible knack for documenting the times by laying his bass-laden vocals over parallel melodic sounds, Avit, one of Ghana's budding musicians, is without a doubt, on his way to becoming one of the youth’s most sentient voices. Stereometrica’s Jesus Muhammad sat down to have a chat with him, somewhere in his calm neighbourhood in Tema’s Community 3 quarter.
You’re the
first person I’m meeting who bears the name Avit. Or to put it properly, this
is actually the first time I’m hearing the name Avit. And I like it because
it’s unique. Could you tell me about your name?
Oh yeah, no
surprises. Avit is a short form of a longer name. My name is Avitiduen. It’s a
Bulsa name. My family hails from the Upper East region, but I was born in
Tamale, and grew up in Tema. Avitiduen Abisa, that’s my full name. But
Avitiduen is a mouthful for some people, so I just tell most people to call me Avit.
Ohok. Interesting. Big up man like Avit. Haha… So I found out about your music through some [mutual] friends. It was the ‘Election Day EP’. Why that name?
It was just
me giving my understanding or perspective on what I saw happening around me.
I’ve never been someone to follow politics and all of dem tins. But I live with
my cousin Azay, who’s also my manager, and he really loves the news. That’s one
of his favourite things. So especially during the lockdown period when everyone
was home, the news was part of my mornings. And the EP, that is me just describing
what I was seeing and hearing and how I felt about it. The vibes of the time,
the political cycle of promising and not delivering, issues bordering on
racism, people giving out their little [political] power for cheap, stuff like
that. But then, we also tried to lighten things up with songs like ‘Come
Closer’. Haha…
Hahaha…
Seeing the title, I thought it was going to be a politically charged EP so I
was surprised about ‘Come Closer’. But I get the point now. Haha… So it was
during that period that you conceived the EP?
Yeah. All the
songs on the EP.
Prior to
that, were you already doing music?
Nooo… not at
all. That was my first time doing music, in 2020. It all happened
coincidentally. I’ve always known I could sing but I’d never thought of creating
my own music, till I reconnected with my cousin, Azay.
So who are some of the people you work with?
I work with a
number of people. Kuvie has handled production for many of my songs; in fact, he
entirely produced both EPs. Much love to Kuvie. Revy, another bad guy; he’s
also handled some production for me and I’m on two songs on Spc.Ghst’s Alt.Spc Files album: ‘WYGK’ and
‘Kamandiok’. Zodivc. 2shuus. Okukuseku. Dasebre, a bad ass graphic artist who
handles a lot of my graphic art. There’s Désiré,
and Ofoe Amegavie, both photographers I work with. Flip. Then there’s Anebawk
Studios, another dope ass guy.
These days,
collaborations are a big thing and are believed to help artists tap into each
other’s fan base. Are there any artists or creatives that you have on your
collaboration bucket list?
Oh more chale. There’s people killing it who I’d defo like to work with. Atongo Zimba. Guilty Beatz. Kwesi Arthur. Ayisi. Sarkodie. Juls. Sherifa Gunu. Stonebwoy. Jae5. Marince Omario. Blacko. Yung Demz. A song with or beat from any of these guys would surely be a dream come true.
Have you had
any struggles since you started pursuing a career in music?
Oh mos def! My
main problems have been with raising and having access to capital. Money makes
the world go round, they say. Haha. Also, I didn’t really get it when I was on
the outside, but after getting in, I’ve realised that there’s kind of a lack of
support from within the industry. I believe that those in the limelight need to
help those on the come up. We see it happen elsewhere. I don’t think it should
be that difficult. It’s like, you know the path to the railway station but you
want me to take the rocky road. For artists on the come up, they need to make
it into the limelight and that requires money. So it’s not easy. But I can’t
also blame the guys who’re charging these monies because chale, man for chop. Haha…
What do you
consider your biggest achievement so far?
Haha… I’d say
seeing my songs displayed on the internet and on digital music platforms. Like,
you type a-v-i-t and it’s me and my music that pops up. Some may not consider
it a big deal, but it sure is for me. Another thing; while I was writing my
song ‘Election Day’, I told my cousin, Azay, that it’ll be a
dream come true to hear it played on Citi FM. One afternoon, I received a call
from a friend, and they were like “Chale! Tune in to Citi, Citi!”. My eye get chale. I
was so elated that I even hit my head against our door frame when I jumped up
in celebration. Hahaha… My song was played on BBC as well, but it’s still the
Citi FM one for me because that was what I dreamt of, and I did achieve it.
So you’ve mentioned your songs being played on Citi FM. But generally, do you feel radio shows you love here in Ghana?
Oh yeah
chale, I think radio shows me love. We track using hashtags and posts on social
media, and we see a lot. Can’t complain chale.
I’ve seen a number of your performances. Which would you say was your most memorable one?
Oh, I
performed on Citi TV and I believe that was the one. The producer of the show,
King of Accra, paused the sound check and spoke through the PA, telling me how
much he appreciated my music. There’s people like that who no matter their
level of success would honestly tell you how they feel about your music without
any malice.
Yeah I feel
you. I can imagine how that felt. There’s a handful of guys like that. But this
performance, when was it?
I performed
on Citi TV last year, in July 2021. Breakfast Daily, I think. The video is up
on YouTube, you can check it out. It was an acoustic set, with Revy on the
keys. Oh, and how coincidental; it was the day after the Ejura shootings. I
performed ‘Promise Season’, ‘Election Day’, ‘Vibe’ and ‘Free Me’.
How’s your
numbers on YouTube? Has YouTube been an effective means of spreading your
music?
YouTube isn’t
bad chale. I have about 6 videos and other songs there. There’s those songs of
mine which have 100 views, then there’s those which have racked up 1000+ views.
It costs a lot of money tho to make videos, you know?! You see other musicians’
ads on YouTube and all you see is how much more work you have to do. Haha...
So what’s
your sound? I try not to box artists, and I know artists who detest being
boxed. But how would you define your sound?
My sound is
Afrofusion. Growing up, I listened to everything. I didn’t have the gadgets
like the Walkman or Discman, so I had to share with family. When I took my
sister’s stuff, it was TLC, Brandy… My mum listened to a lot of Ron Kenoly and
Don Moen plus some other sounds so I did that too. My brother was big on soft
Hip-Hop and he loved RnB too. Then I listened to Kenny Rogers, Bob Marley, Fela;
who I was introduced to by my uncle when we’d take rides in his car. You know,
you’ve got to teach the children good music, it goes a long way. Songs in their
native tongue, songs with positive messages, stories, stuff like that. You
know?! Haha… But yeah. So it was Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Pop Music, Gospel, and
Country Music. Country Music especially. And I fuse them all into a nice mix.
Haha… Nice. How
about interviews? Are there any interviews you enjoyed doing?
Oh yeah,
there’s a number of them. I’ve been on Class FM, YFM and 3FM. I messed up with
the Class FM interview by showing up late but Natalia is such a nice person;
she supported us from the start so even though it was a short time, it was
nice. I was on the Y Lounge as well with Akosua Hanson and DJ Kess. That was a
vibe too. Then 3FM, yooo… Chrystal chale! If you put Chrystal in a room full of
people, she’d change up the energy. Her energy is like enough for a whole
family. Haha. Big up Chrystal! Oh yeah, I just remembered another one. Guide
Radio with Moor Sound, and Big FM. Those were dope too chale.
Any industry
drama?
Industry
drama? Well, not necessarily. But it bothers me that people move with the
mentality that if they have to win, then it means you should lose. I don’t
believe that. We can both win. Then, the Ghamro issues. If royalties were being
paid [properly], artists could use that money to produce better art which will
in turn help radio or let’s say the media, the arts scene and the community as
a whole. Also, I wish that the guys at the top were holding the hands of the
guys at the bottom and pulling them up. Like I’ve said, there’s people doing
that, but there’s still the need for more. That’s how we can go further.
Remember the saying? If you want to go far, go together.
I feel you.
But you know, I’ve seen a lot of people on social media who say that you need
to work for your recognition and what you’re suggesting, that’s an entitlement
mentality.
Yeah, I’ve
heard that, and maybe it’s true. But see, you know what they say about standing
on the shoulders of giants? That’s what I mean. I’m not big on social media,
but I’ve seen a few. I’m not talking about shooting a video for the person;
just share their song or put them in your playlist which you’re sharing with
your friends and family, you know?! Like, simple things. You know Obama’s [Annual
Music] Playlist? Haha… You know the reach that’ll give you? Haha…
Yeah chale, I
get your point. So about your last album, can you delve into it? What
was it called?
Oh yeah, that
was the Feeling Fine EP. It was
released in August last year. Chale, we dropped it at a time when we felt like
everybody was down, businesses had collapsed, people were in a bad mental
space. So we were checking on people, that was the motivation. It had tracks like
‘Feel Fine’, ‘Cantona’, ‘Free Me’, ‘Real Friends Remix’ which featured B4bonah, and ‘What’s My Name?’.
Are there any guys you consider as motivations?
Oh yeah!
Kwesi Arthur, always! Blacko. KiDi and Kuami Eugene are doing their thing, dem
dey work. There’s Marince Omario; he’s hard, he’s hard chale. Kelvyn Boy is
finally getting the recognition he deserves. Chronixx, bad guy. [Santan] Dave. Bob
Marley. Damian and Stephen Marley. The Nigerian guys too dey spoil der. The
Mavins squad like Rema. Also, the usual suspects; Wiz, Davido. and Burna.
Let’s talk
about fashion. What do you like to wear? What’s your style? Favourite brands?
Well, my
priorities when dressing up are comfort, appearance, appropriateness. Haha… In
that order. I’m honestly not too big on fashion tho. So I dunno too much about
brands. But I’ve seen Daily Paper, and they’re making a killing. Free The Youth
too, those guys are moving. Oh, and Kula Perry as well; he’s killing it with
Fear No Man.
How about
sports? Are you into sports?
Yeah, I love
sports. But I’m like most Ghanaians; football is my favourite sport. Hahaha
Haha… Ohok. Interesting.
So what’s your favourite club?
My favourite
club? Haha… Take a wild guess. Lemme leave you with a clue; the best club in
the world. Haha...
Oh, how did I
forget to ask you about footwear? Any favourites? Are you into sneakers?
I love Reebok
Classics. My favourite football boots are the [Nike] Total 90s. I love a comfy
pair of Clarks. I’m seeing a number of Ghanaian-owned brands who’re making amazing
stuff. And I’ve heard good stuff about a number of them.
Any other
interests aside music and football?
I love
watching documentaries a lot. And eh… I love minding my business. Haha
Hahaha…
Interesting! Ok. I’ve got a simple game I’d like us to play. Choose your
preferred choice amongst these options. Cool?
I hope say e
no b tough questions ooh. Haha...
Oh naah. Not
at all. I believe say you go enjoy am. Haha…
Ok. No yawa.
Let’s go.
Club or
Orijin?
Orijin for
me.
Waakye or
Jollof?
Waakye any
day.
Kenkey or
Fufu?
Kenkey! Kɔmi! I love kɔmi kɛ kena pass. Haha…
Haha... Music video or Audio?
Errmmm… Audio.
Golden Tree or Niche?
E b Golden Tree I
knorr ooh. Hearing of Niche for the first time today.
It’s a new
Ghanaian-owned chocolate brand. They’re producing great stuff too.
Oh nice. That’s great
to hear. I’m all about supporting Ghanaian-owned and African-owned brands. I’ll
try them out one of these days. Taking your word for it.
Haha… No yawa. You’ll
love it. But that’s not taking away from Golden Tree tho. It’s also a solid
brand that has given us some amazing chocolates and cocoa products for decades.
True chale.
Yeah so back to the
game. All Black or All White?
All Black.
Tall or Short Women?
Haha
Chale, me I like
women. No discrimination. Haha…
Netflix and Chill.
Read a book or Watch a
Documentary?
Told you already.
Haha… I’d rather watch a documentary.
Haha… I do yawa dat. Pop
Corn or Plantain Chips?
Plantain chips chale.
Plantain chips hands down.
Black Stars or Man U?
Oh chale! But why you
go do so? You can’t do this. Hahaha…
Oh, you can’t choose?
I believe one of them is your preferred choice. Haha
Ok. I’m a patriotic
Ghanaian so lemme choose Black Stars. But you no force. Hahaha…
Nice. Hahaha… That’s
the end. You can breathe now.
Chale, the last
question, you no force. Hahaha…
So any upcoming stuff? What’s the plan for you this year? What should your fans and music lovers expect from man like Avit? Haha…
We’re going
to launch for the year. We have a single coming out soon,
that’s errmmm… that video was produced by Junie Annan. It’s called ‘Comatose’.
Comatose! Haha… Also, we’re still experimenting. This year, we’ll present the northern Ghanaian’s
take on Southern African music styles. The target is
three songs, two videos, two visualisers. We’ll also drop content from the last
EP. And hopefully, we’ll drop an EP next year. We’re not in a rush to drop
the album; the structure has to be solid to pull that off successfully, so
we’re working.
Nice! To round this up
nicely, what’s your favourite thing to eat?
Chale, TZ or Manviak
on any day will do me some good and reset things. Haha.
Comments
Post a Comment