Nigerian entertainment in recently time, like every prospering industry, has become one of the most talked about industry in the world.
This in itself is the reason a lot of entertainers are emerging in recent years, but it is hard to find an artiste who has been dedicated to music for as long as Excoba has.
Born Omoruyi Raymond to a Christian family in Benin City, the easy going, talented musician picked up music from a tender age; he was in his church choir and the interest grew.
When asked why the choice of music, the graduate of Auchi Polytechnic said: “It was an easy choice because music has always been there: it is how I have always found meaning and what I found a special connection towards.
“I was in the choir early in my life and somehow I find solace listening to music. This was long before I even chose music as a career path”.
Speaking of careers, it is easy for many to want to join the Nigerian entertainment industry because of the progress, fame, money and respect attached to it.
The success the industry is experiencing in recent time is mind blowing: Burna Boy selling out Madison Square Garden, Davido selling out 02 and Wizkid selling out the Accor arena in France, not to mention how younger talents like Rema, Buju, Asake and so on are also thriving in their own way.
When Excoba was asked if this was a genuine passion or if he also is one of those who are in for the money, he said: “I dropped a song in 2012 titled Grace; this was way before the breakthrough the industry is enjoying now.
“To tell you how huge that is for me, I graduated from Auchi Polytechnic in 2018 and served in Delta State afterwards.
“That means, I dropped a song before going for my higher education; so the thought did not start now. I feel I have a gift and a nudging in my spirit; I followed that nudging trying to be a voice in the world because I know my sound is destined to cheer someone up. It is that thought and belief that led me to my choice, not money or fame”.
Excoba is a versatile artiste; he is a circular artiste who fuses Afrobeat, Afro-pop and R&B to make good music for his listeners.
He draws inspiration from sounds around the world and then infuse traditional sounds to make it unique. With his unique and diverse musical style, he is ready to take the industry by storm.
He has plans to release singles and collaboration with industry colleagues and believes this will showcase his versatility and lyrical prowess as an artiste, which should be enough to earn him his respect within the industry.
When asked why it took him this long before he was going to drop a follow up track to the 2012 release, he said, “we are in Africa.
“You are allowed to have ambitions but you also need to respect your parents who expect you to at least graduate from higher institution. If I had pursue my music career from 2012, I will not have been in good terms with my parents.
“I believe I needed to finish school before facing music squarely. Now that I have fulfilled my parents wish, I can then start the career path my mind is directing me to”.
The Nigerian music industry, the media, the market and every music lover in and outside Nigeria should be prepared for Excoba. There is fire in his eyes and a serious belief that he is here to stay. Time, they say will tell, but a passion that is true and genuine breeds a fire that never dies, and it seems Excoba has this fire inside of him.
When asked what the industry should expect, he said, “expect the best. I give my all when I do something. Expect what you will be proud of: music you will easily associate with; the sort you will always go back to years after now”.
