Exclusive Interview With Multi-talented Singer Acekid

Amid the ever-changing tides of the music industry, it’s rare to find an artist who effortlessly combines authenticity with versatility quite like AceKid. Originally from Nigeria and now based in Spain, AceKid has carved out a unique niche by merging the rich rhythms of Afrobeat with the dynamic pulse of Latin music.His journey from a promising football career to emerging as a rising star in the music industry is a testament to his resilience and unwavering passion.

In this exclusive interview, AceKid delves into the deep inspiration behind his latest single, “HERO,” a heartfelt tribute to his newborn daughter and her mother. He shares how his move to Spain sparked a newfound love for Latin music, leading to a distinctive fusion of sounds that has come to define his artistry. AceKid also reflects on the emotional transition from football to music, the challenges he’s faced, and the pivotal role that music has played in his life.

From performing at the Afro Festival in Munich alongside PSquare to exploring genres like Amapiano, AceKid’s dedication to his craft is evident in every aspect of his work. His ability to seamlessly switch between English and Spanish in his lyrics, coupled with his diverse musical influences, has earned him acclaim as the “Rolls-Royce” of artists.

Looking ahead, with plans to release a new single each month, AceKid’s commitment to originality and storytelling remains steadfast. In this candid conversation, he discusses his upcoming projects, the importance of versatility in his music, and his ongoing pursuit of creative boundaries. This interview offers an insightful glimpse into AceKid’s world, his passion for music, and the exciting future that lies ahead in his flourishing career.

“HERO” is such a heartfelt tribute to your newborn daughter and her mother. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you?

ACEKID: Basically it is my first time of having a baby and I can’t express enough the immense joy and fulfilment I feel as a father so I decided to put it into music, expressing my deep love for my baby girl and girlfriend. Apart from expressing my love for my baby in the song, I was also giving my girlfriend her well deserved flowers because women in general deserve this, not many people know what women go through during the procreation process. From harbouring the child for 9 months until delivery. Mothers are the real “HEROES” to masculinize it.

You’ve successfully blended African and Latin music cultures in “HERO.” What drew you to combine these influences, and how did it shape the overall sound and feel of the track?

ACEKID: I never see myself as a perfect artist, I see myself as a daily music student, always open to learning from my predecessors, the legends and my favorites to develop my craft. I listen to various genres of music, even though I was born into the English, Pidgin English and tribal music culture, it wasn’t until I relocated to Spain 6 years ago, after perfecting my spanish language, that I started exploring the latin sound

Fell in love with the swagger J Balvin and Bad Bunny apply to their sound after their collaboration with Mr Eazi in the track ‘Como Un Bebé’. So I decided that, with me already being a good songwriter and composer in English, I could fuse the afro and latin sound to bring out something special unique. I have lots of songs released and unreleased fully in Spanish and some a mixture. I actually have been dreaming of making a spanish song with Mr Eazi on it, I know it’s a big dream and I hope to wake up someday hahaha.

The music video for “HERO” was filmed in your home, capturing intimate and personal moments. What was the creative process like for the video, and how did you ensure it stayed true to the song’s emotional depth?

ACEKID: I actually wanted the video as simple as possible, I just wanted to capture that intimate family moment so I spoke with the videographer on how I would like it to be captured for it to be in perfect alignment with the song, and that was how we made it so simple and low budget.

As an artist who performs in both English and Spanish, how do you decide which language to use in a song? Do you feel that switching languages allows you to connect with a broader audience?

ACEKID: I have always discussed with people and fellow artists that the biggest audience in music are the English and Latin audiences, as a musician I always wanna use a single stone to kill two birds hahaha, which in most cases looks impossible but to me it’s a possibility. I am not yet where I dream to be and deserve to be, but my small real fanbase consists of the Spanish and English folks, even though they are very small in number they are solid. So it is just a natural flex for me to sing in English and Spanish, sometimes it depends on the style of beat I get from my producer.

You’ve cited a wide range of musical influences, from The Weeknd and Bad Bunny to Burna Boy and Chris Brown. How do these artists impact your music, and in what ways have they shaped your unique sound?

ACEKID: Interestingly when I performed covers back then in college I was so endowed to the point that when I decided I want to make a cover song of any of my favorite artists I end up sounding like them, so back then people call me some of the above named artists, I love the way The Weeknd delivers his lyrics, for me Burna is a big influence he is a musical genius, Davido as well, Bad bunny as well, Breezy is fantastic and my dance moves then were all thanks to him, even though of late I have lost my “ dancing shoes “ hahahah.

Your journey from a football career to becoming a versatile musician is quite inspiring. How did those experiences influence your music, particularly in terms of the themes you explore in your songs?

ACEKID: Honestly it was a hard pill to swallow, because then when I played for the Pepsi Academy, my college, university team and other people would always come up to me and wanted to make sure they get my contact and socials, they were like, “Please be fast and go show the likes of Nani, Iheanacho, Mbappe etc. how to be a proper baller in Europe”. So up till today they still can’t believe I never ended up playing for one of the top teams in Europe, but yeah it is what it is, injury has always been a great enemy to all athletes, so being compared to these above stars, that was how good I was technically in football.

After my career in football ended, it was like my whole world had collapsed, it was like the feeling of being surrounded by only darkness. I fell into a big period of depression that consumed me for 2 years and I was saved by music composition and that’s why am not giving up not even when I get to the level of the big music artists, this is just the beginning of a big dream and I feel am getting closer day by day.

You recently performed at the Afro Festival in Munich alongside PSquare. How was that experience, and how do you prepare for performances that share the stage with such iconic artists?

ACEKID: This was a great moment and big opportunity in my life as an artist, one of my uncles who has always believed in my talent (shout out to my big uncle Roy), he  sent some of my songs to the organizers and they were wowed by my sound and that was how I was invited over and flown from Spain to Munich.

The most interesting thing that happened after my performance was Adesope (shopsydoo), who is the number one Afrobeats culture ambassador, came up to me to told me that my track Bayi Bayi was a very great song and that am a very good artist that he’d like to link up with. Unfortunately we didn’t link up after the show because I had to catch my flight back to Spain to resume work.

Anyone who knows Adesope knows the immense importance it is when he walks up to you to tell you that you are a good artist, it means you got something special. So I actually opened the stage for the almighty PSquare and I felt something special and felt I was doing something right.

 “Come Over (Ahulema)” and “Yeba” showcase your exploration of the Amapiano genre. What inspired you to venture into this sound, and how do you see your music evolving in the future?

ACEKID: ‘Come Over’ is my first solo single in the genre of amapiano, I must confess that it is an underrated single because it has not been heard by the right and wider audience, I can assure you that out of 50% of people who heard Come Over, 40% loved and saved it. It is unfortunate because I do all my music by myself and don’t have that financial prowess to do a good marketing, which is the most impactful aspect of releasing a song. Yeba is an afrobeat track with a latin fusion. I featured my artist friend Bymusico, who is a very talented reggaeton artist here in Seville, and we have a big trap collaboration in Spanish coming  soon. I feel consistency and trusting the process is the key. God directs and I move, if I fall, I pray, learn, get up and continue.

You’ve been praised as the “Rolls-Royce” of artists for your ability to span genres. How important is versatility to you as an artist, and how do you approach blending different styles in your music?

ACEKID: I always say that music is an art and as an art requires creativity. Honestly speaking I’m not an artist who jumps on what is trending, trends bores me so much. I love exploring various genres that I find interesting and brainstorming to put something nice together. I am a confident artist, I compose and write songs that I love and enjoy, so if I put it out and the people enjoy it, for me it is a great feeling but if not, am still very proud of my art and craft. Maybe I should say it’s a special gift that I can write various genres of music with ease. Thank God for everything.

 Looking ahead, what can fans expect from AceKid in the near future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?

ACEKID: I have made a personal promise to myself that I will try to be releasing new single every month, my next release will be coming up in the month of September, it is titled “How I feel”.

In this release people will experience my versatility once again because it is a ‘weird’ fusion of Afrobeat, Drill and R&B. It is me telling my story about betrayal from a trusted friend, expressing the pains I felt and how broken I was. That situation where you gave all to the person and when you needed help you were totally deserted. Yeah so I was deserted during my 2 years if depression. AceKid sticks to originality in his art.