Tim Lyre’s voice strikes a resonant feel and this is saying something. A thirty-second vibe into his latest album will convince you of this much. The Lagos-bred genre-bender is one of the most refreshing voices you will come across today. Lyre’s tone coupled with his distinctive pen game provides a comfortable cushion that is characterized by the rarity of replication.
His music fundamentally blends R&B/Soul influences with a barrage of popular music genres/subgenres including Afrobeat and delves into intricate and relatable subjects.
In this interview, the singer talks about the creative process of his latest oeuvre, ‘Masta’, his love for Asa, the growth of Alte, and more.
How Are You Chief?
I am doing great, thank you.
By the way, a huge congrats on your latest body of work, I honestly think it is amazing. My favorite song is the one with Tay Iwar.
Thank you. Yeah, that is a special song. Tay is a solid guy. Choosing him to be on the record, ‘Why Evils’ was strictly intentional. I knew he was one of the few people who could deliver like I wanted, you know.
When did you decide to take music seriously?
I think when I decided to go all in with the music between 2015 and 2016. I was into law at the time and everybody thought I was fulfilled, well, except me. Music is the one thing I can’t do
without and I knew I would never achieve true happiness if I didn’t pursue my dream.
How did your parents react to the decision you made?
Initially, it was tough getting them to see the vision, especially my Dad. We were at loggerheads for a while, not until he started seeing proceeds from the music did he give his support.
You seem to make music that is different from the popular music the Nigerian audience likes, do you consider this a challenge?
If anything, I think it is a golden opportunity. In the sense that my uniqueness lets me carve a niche for myself that can be easily identified by my day-one listeners and can also win
over a new listener.
How long does it take you to write a quality song and what qualifies as a quality song to you?
Well, it depends on varying factors, to be honest. Some days I can write a very good song in less than an hour while other days I might be working on a song for days. I try to make sure my songs are thoughtfully written. A quality song should evoke an emotive response not just from the melodies but equally from the lyrics.
Who are some of your biggest music inspirations?
Asa. I have been in awe of her work for a long time. I love everything about Asa. Her style of writing music is amazing. She could do no wrong to me, I am telling you. I also fuck with Wizkid, for sentimental reasons best known to me (Laughs).
What is the thought process behind your recent body of work ‘Masta’
With Masta, my main goal was putting out a body of work that best describes my current state of mind, you know. Having been in the game for several years, I think I have earned the right to say that I have mastered my craft and I am not afraid to say it. I mean, it reflects in the quality of the music. It is my proudest body of work yet. I feel unstoppable at the moment and ‘Masta’ is my way of saying that I am the one anchoring my ship, you know.
What is your favorite aspect about being a recording artist
Everything man. I love the process of creating something fresh and also the opportunity to collaborate with amazing talents. It’s a fulfilling ride.
Fl Studio or Logic
Logic. Logic saved my life (laughs).
It is safe to say you were one of the creatives who embraced the Alte culture way before it went mainstream, how do you feel now that it now receives a wide
acceptance?
I mean, it was always a matter of time. Everyone else was playing catch up but I am glad Alte is getting the attention that it has now. Seeing guys like Asake and Rema embracing that alte vibe that was considered weird some years back makes the cultural rebel
worthwhile.
What advice would you give to an artist who is trying to build up a fan-base?
I would say be consistent and true to yourself always. Your crowd is watching, if you do these things, the right fan base will find you.
