Present yourself to the readers
I am Nigerian born singer songwriter and actress. I started singing at age eleven touching hearts and souls. From my mother, I gained an early education in the folklore of my people, the Bini, an interest I extended into traditional music, storytelling and dance. Immigrating to Italy, I studied jazz music and interpretation, as well as theatre arts, crafting a sound that has become distinctly my own. I am also an activist committed in ending human trafficking and prostitution of Africans especially Nigerian women in Europe. I am also engaged in working with different groups for projects to empower women and I am the founder of African Women Acting.
BIO
Your lyrics?..What are they talking about?..How does inspiration come?
My lyrics is deeply about justice, spirituality and Motherhood is an important theme in my lyrics as well. I get my inspiration from my personal life experience, other people’s experiences, from the society and events happening to humanity and a lot from nature as well. Events that happens in life/in the world determines my state of mood and my state of mood determines my level of inspiration in most cases.
Are you someone who lives by day or by night?
I live by both. My traveling and working across continents impact how I live. When I am in Canada I try to sleep as early as possible in order to meet up with skype meetings and other errands in Italy and Africa. When in Italy I rest awake the whole night. I sleep from 4am to 9am.
What are your personal musical tastes and your influences?
I pretty much open to different genres as far as it has good sound, harmony, arrangements and meaningful lyrics. My influence I would say is Mahalia Jackson, Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Vitor Uwaifo and I love Ennio Morricone the Italian composer.
What is your best memory in concert and why?
My most memorable live concert is both best and also worst in terms of emotional connection. It was with Miriam Makeba. It was best because I finally had the chance to sing with my icon on stage but probably the worst because I saw her collapsed right in front of me on stage as I stretched out my hand to hold her slippery, cold hand while she gently went on the ground. She died some minutes later in the hospital in Italy during a huge concert we had to raise awareness on racism and mafia organized by the regional government of Campagna.
What are your future dates?
My album pre-launch is April 14 at Lula Lounge Toronto
May 6th Toronto
May 18 – 21 Italy
June 29 - 15 August USA
August 30 – September 20 Nigeria
September 25 – October Italy
November 5 - December 15 Toronto
Jan 4 – 25 2018 USA
In the studio, what was the atmosphere during the recording of your wonderful album NIGERIAN SPIRIT ?...etc.…
The atmosphere in the 4 studios I worked were all different in structure but very similar in team work and spirit/energy behind it.
The atmosphere in the studio in Toronto with Roberto Occhipinti my producer was very professional and at the same time educational for both of us. The beautiful about this producer is that his knowledge goes beyond production. He made some little adjustment on the lyrics and suggested some vocals approach in some tracks. He basically directed the singing during the recording for Nigerian Spirit and ASE. In return he learned how to pronounce “SENZA” from me during this project. His parents are Italians from Southern Italy and he speaks Italian with southern accent so that was hilarious during the studio work.
The session in Africa was very warm, more like a family re-union with my Nigerian band members and my producer Jerry Harrison-Uke are all members of my band. It was such a joy to be together again in a production environment. The took the project at heart to make sure expectations were met. We had sometime we spent days together listening to the tracks and discuss every details of the instruments, and vocals before moving on to the next step. Husband in Canada, Light my Way Mother and Dreaming were the focus tracks for this producer.
I had 2 producers, I had connected both of them to share ideas and possibly collaborate to make sure all tracks sound unique but maintaining the same connection. My personal Manager Claudio De Rocco at Provo Culture played a significant role in the whole process. As some point he would connect with skype to participate during the recording session in Canada.
It was a beautiful moment. I would work with these producers over and over and again.
Who realized the cover and why did you choose this title ?
The title came before the cover. The cover had to portray the title.
Nigerian Spirit came from my crave to see Nigeria’s prosperity at all level.
Nigerian people are very lively, we are one of the most happiest people in the world in spite of the conflicts and political situation of the country. No matter the situation a Nigerian person would always find a way to be happy, to succeed in whatever they do. A Nigerian would pride the best in whatever they do whether small or big, good or bad. That spirit of being keen and meticulous is unique in what they do has both side effects to them as well. As a result, the nation is still struggling to identify good leadership, fight corruption, end religious conflicts, provide security for the people. Since it creation in 2002 boko haram and Islamic state. This group has abducted young girls, students, women. They have killed so many people. Based on this exert from The World Post website From 2013 to 2014, the death toll from terrorism-related attacks climbed dramatically in Nigeria, increasing by 300 percent. The Global Terrorism Index called the rise “the largest increase in terrorist deaths ever recorded by any country.” Making us again the best in this kind of attacks. I wonder…who are these people? Why are they so disconnected from their spirit?
How about our Nigerian Pastors? Most of the pastors are among the richest people in the world. They own and ride private jets. They build huge churches yet there are homeless children, They build schools yet young people cannot afford such exuberant schools including members of their congregations. In every 100 meters there are 4 churches. They take from the poor to enrich themselves, feeding their ego and greediness. They portray the physical rather than spiritual. What sort of spirit do they have?
Do we want to talk about our African traditional spiritual leaders? They have lost their souls by manipulating the knowledge impacted unto them by our ancestors. They have transformed the use of traditional medicines to healing for killing and afflicting sicknesses to undeserved people. They use their power to destroy rather than to restore. They have infected the true meaning and essence of African Traditional Spirituality.
Yet with the masses proclaiming faith in God and Allah and in our Ancestors there is more and more evil doings in the nation. We are all proclaiming faith because it now a lifestyle where if you don’t belong your chance of success becomes limited. We have all lost the essence of spirituality. Our spirit has been disconnected!
The title was crafted from these triad of beliefs by the people and also by the determination, the keenness and the zeal in which we achieve the best in whatever we do.
In spite of the mess Nigerians are among the happiest people in the world. We can make you laugh even in our mess...that is Nigerian Spirit!
The photo/cover of the album was inspired by my lyrics and also Fela Kuti I guess even if I realized that after the choice was made. For me Fela costumes sets the message just as his lyrics and music.
What are your projects?
My future projects for now is to get this message across through my concerts and CD sales. The more live performances I am able to do the more people will get to here about the message or be current about what is happening. I also appreciate those who follow me on social media and purchase my music online.
Also I will be working on a Musical about African Spirituality in 2018/19
I will also be starting my web series “African Folktales En Music” about how to create music from stories and tales.
What do you expect from the future ?
I am not sure what to expect from the future with people like President Buhari leading Nigeria, Trump being elected and acting the way he is doing, and seeing Italy in such a political mess as well. It is difficult to expect from the future. I’d rather say I’ll do my best to be a better person, a better artist, a good example for humanity rather.
What's your motto?
So many times we waste our energy looking for answers we already have within us. Everyone on earth is born with a spirit. Once you acknowledge this you will discover the power within you.
It has nothing to do with religion but YOU. Your body, mind and soul!
Stop searching out there. The Power you search is YOU!
Website to remember
www.soniaaimy.com
What would you like to say to the readers ?
Life has many branches yet few we can reach. May your spirit leads you to choose the right branch!
Thank you so much Hugues and your team!
Very much appreciated.
Sonia Aimy.
