Augustina OkpechiAS far as alter egos go, there is always a shapeshifting moment and for JD, it was the making of the album Before We Fall Asleep.
“The fans are used to a certain kind of music from me and so to be able to switch we had to create an alternative Johnny Drille, which I call JD” says Johnny Drille in an interview session.
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A description of Johnny Drille as an effortlessly cool singer originated outside of the vibe he gives off but one that speaks in his music.
“There’s two sides of me: the guy that does the cool music that the fans are used to…”
However, the album, Before We Fall Asleep, encompasses a broad palette of sounds and flavors – which are such drastic changes from the artist’s norm; alternative rock and folk music. “I love folk music, that’s the background for me, but I started to dabble more into Afrobeat, which is a big sound in Africa right now.”
This change was also contributed by features from other artists and producers alike; Don Jazzy, Ladipoe Styl-Plus, Ayra Starr, Chylde, Lagos community choir, Kwittee and Cillsoul, London as well as the artist’s current label, Mavine Records.
Speaking about features, it is a wonder the scenario surrounding getting Styl-Plus on board a new music release considering that the lack of one was part of the reason Tunde left the group. Not to mention Don Jazzy featuring in the space of actual singing after two years of Don Jazzy on the beat.
As represented in the title of the album, the conversation carried on in most of the album speaks of the kinds of thoughts that come to you after you’ve laid down ready to sleep.
Oh my God, this my baby make me go manya
I know my mama no like ya
But my girl no bother, I like you bad bad (Loving is hard)
We no longer say goodnight
we’ve been drifting as days go by
Do you still believe in us (Before I let go)
Before the official album release, Johnny Drille premiered a film trailer and in the caption, shared some of his struggles “For the longest period, I struggled… the series of writer blocks, inner emotional suffering, industry pressures, and an annoying feeling of unworthiness…” which was also demonstrated in the first song on the album, My Kind of Brown.
Amidst popularity and fame, Johnny also agrees that adulting is a scam in Sell My Soul.
can I be a baby back in mother’s arms
Talks about struggles won’t be complete if those of our nation aren’t included.
(What’s on the news)
Citizens pocket low, low
Our GDP low, low, low, low (Lies)
A popular trend among Nigerian artists is the introduction of native names into their lyrics and Before We Fall Asleep did not come up short, birthing the name Ogochukwu.
Ogochukwu oh I fit to die for your love
After many years of the long awaited debut, Before We Fall Asleep is a special one.
It is a piece of my heart in words and letters written with my tears and laughter, my anxiety and insecurities and more importantly my LOVE – Johnny Drille.
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