In today’s Exclusive Interview, we have Nigerian Idol winner Evelle on our E-seat, as she shares her journey from church singer to independent artist.
She discusses staying true to herself while exploring new sounds with her project “COME BACK.” She reveals her key influences, her creative pursuits in cooking, fashion, and acting. She also opened up about the challenges of being a female artist and yes, she drops some fun facts and teases what’s next in her career.
Let’s get to know Evelle beyond the music
Q: Who is Evelle?
A: “Evelle is a singer, Song writer and a Live performing artistes that is ever evolving amongst other things”
Q: How do you maintain authenticity in an industry that often demands change?
A: “I maintain authenticity by staying true to myself. Staying true to myself means that I only do things that my soul accepts. Change is meant to happen, but if I have to change, I have to change into a higher version of myself every time, nothing less, nothing different from what I’m about.”
Q: What’s the story behind your journey into music?
A: “Mehn! … I have a long and diverse story behind my journey into music. I come from a musical family; my dad used to be a musician/singer, so music came to me naturally. I have been singing in church since I was 5 years old. Apart from studio runs I did as a teenager backing up for people and working on other people’s projects, singing with bands at weddings, birthday parties, and other events, I started my music career professionally after I won Nigerian Idols in 2014. I have been consistently trying to make my way in music since then. So far so good.”
Q: When did you realize you wanted to pursue music professionally?
A: “As soon as I won Nigerian Idols, nothing else made sense to me but Music. I believe I am on track with my purpose when I do music”
Q: What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
A: “Getting a call to be a judge representing Nigeria on a Pan African music reality show that involved South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria. It was a very beautiful experience .”
Q: Your Spotify discography shows that you have just three projects, with Comeback being the most recent, released on October 25, 2024. How long have you been in the industry?
A: “I have been in the industry since 2014, signed to a label for 8 years and left the label in 2020. I have since embraced being an independent artist and started unlearning and learning every day. The journey has been crazy but definitely worth it. I released Comeback as an independent artiste, and there’s a lot more on the way.”
Q: About your sound and genre, Comeback seems to be a departure from what Kilimanjaro is. What inspired the genre switch?
A: “Comeback was an experimental project. In 2020, I got in the studio with a brilliant team, and we decided to work on different genres of music just so I could figure out what sound I am most comfortable with. I worked with brilliant writers as well, though I only got to put some songs from that project in 2024. So we are on the move. I also needed to let go of that project so I could move forward.”
Q: How has your sound evolved over the years, and what influences have shaped that growth?
A: “My sound has really evolved over the years. I have been able to add a lot of colors to my singing and craft because I embraced my journey more. I am not just able to sound beautiful, but also able to express every emotion behind my lyrics because I have experienced them. So I can say my experiences over the years shaped my growth.”
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
A: “Michael Jackson. My God! I just want to have the kind of impact he had. It’s a lot to ask for or imagine, but then again, it’s a dream. Aside from him, I am open to working with anyone as long as they fill my cup one way or the other.”
Q: What message were you trying to convey with Comeback?
A: “The main message of that project was to myself. I needed to use that project to remind myself that staying down is not an option, and that it’s okay to express myself and let my expressions be seen and heard, whether people have something negative to say or not. It was a ‘break out of your head’ project for me.”
Q: Are there any other works aside those on your DSP’s that you have worked on?
A: “Yes, i did the recent indomie advert song called uncoditional love, and i have also done popular ones for popular brands like MTN (Spice up your life & The Voice Note), Airtel, Stanbic IBTC, Visa Card to name a few.”
Q: As a female artist, what is one thing you wish was different in the industry?
A: “I used to have something different to say when I was asked a question like this, but now my answer is ‘NOTHING’. Nothing, because I have waited for so long for something to happen, and now I realize all I have to do as a female artiste is to make something happen. It’s all on me. Everything else will come while I’m making something happen. The only restriction we have is us. Period!”
Q: Have you faced any challenges or biases as a woman in music, and how did you navigate them?
A: “I have been told that I can’t make it anymore in music because I have crossed a certain age group, and that messed with my head for the longest time. I have been told I have to have a certain body type to excel in the industry, but thank God for artistes like Tems who came and showed us we can totally start from where we are. A stylist once told me I have to get to a size 6 before she can work with me… lol. I have also been told I have to do Afromusic to make it, but I have come to realize how much I hate being boxed up. I love Afro music. I can’t totally rule it out. But music is bigger than Afro music, and I am music.”
Q: Do you think the industry provides enough opportunities for female artists to thrive? If not, what should change?
A: “I think there is room for everyone to thrive. I have had to mentally, intentionally break out of the mindset that something has to be done differently for female artistes to thrive. The only thing that may need to be done is organized seminars for female artistes just to remind us that we are equal to the task. Yes, there are a lot of responsibilities and pressure on us as females in the industry, but we are way more than we allow ourselves to believe we are. We are sooooo beautifully multi-talented. Our setbacks are all in our minds because of how society expects us to end up as mothers and nurturers. We are a lot more than baby producers, sex machines, and caregivers. The moment we break out of that mindset, especially in Africa, we will definitely achieve more as females in the music industry.”
Q: Who are some female artists that inspire you, and why?
A: “Tems really inspires me because she helped me see that there is no limitation in a lot of ways. Angeliq Kidjo also inspires me a lot because she let me see that age is not a barrier. Beyoncé’s hard work and consistency also inspire me.”
Q: If you weren’t doing music, what career path do you think you would have taken?
A: “Like I said earlier, I am multi-talented: just not ready to bring a lot to light. I love to cook and I am good at it; I love fashion as well. I am also a good actor, this comes with my career path already because you have to express what you sing. I also love to paint. These are things that I know I would have focused on if I wasn’t doing music, aside from owning a charity organization. But then again, I will touch everything as time goes on.”
Q: Fans seems to love the raw emotion in your music, what personal experiences influence your songwriting?
A: “My personal experiences are wrapped around pain, heartbreak, and love. I think those are the major emotions you feel when you listen to my music.”
Q: How has the reaction to ‘Comeback’ been? Venison and Comeback seem to be a favorite off the project.
A: “You are so right. People really love those two tracks, but I love how everyone has their favorite on the EP. It’s a great start for me as an independent artist, very exciting too.”
Q: Should we be expecting any new project or updates soon?
A: “Yes… This train is definitely not ready to stop anytime. We move. I am always up to something new, but I have learned to keep quiet until I am ready to share.”
Q: What’s a fun fact about you that your fans don’t know?
A: “I really enjoy and love to dance. I love to cook and feed people 🙈. It gives me joy, lol.”
Q: What do you do outside of music that helps fuel your creativity?
A: “I make and sell clothes. That is something I’m going to bring to light soon once I figure out how to combine it with my music career, but for now I am doing it separately.”
Q: What’s one thing you want your fans to take away from your journey?
A: “I would say, stay with the vision, no matter what. There is a reason no one else is seeing it but you. Don’t let an external influence stop that vision from expanding. That vision is meant to guide you, and as long as you have it, you are unstoppable. Then never stop! Take steps, no matter how little, as long as you are moving forward, you are winning.”
Stay connected with Evelle! Follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (now X), and stream his projects on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
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