Despite the eclectic nature of his music, Lord Afrixana remains deeply rooted in Afro-music, drawing from his cultural heritage to craft extraordinary musical experiences.
The Ghanaian-born artist has made waves in the music industry with his ability to blend different genres and styles seamlessly. His approach involves revisiting the music and soundscapes of his upbringing and infusing them with modern-day Afro elements. Lord Afrixana believes in infusing every note with his personal journey, ensuring that his music resonates with authenticity at every level.
Lord Afrixana, a name synonymous with genre-bending and multi-layered music, is a rising star whose creative prowess knows no bounds. In a recent interview, he provided an exclusive glimpse into his musical journey, influences, and aspirations, revealing the multifaceted layers that define his unique sound.
đ GP: Your music is often described as genre-bending and multi-layered. Can you tell us about your creative process and how you approach blending different genres and styles in your music?
Lord Afrixana: For me, I feel that itâs important to be as much of myself when creating the music as I can. I love to revisit music and soundscapes that I grew up on and see how I can create modern-day interpretations of them, all within the context of Afro-music. I feel that each creative and artist has a personal journey that should inform at every level the music or art that they create.
đ GP: You’ve had the opportunity to work with music icons like BeyoncĂ©, Pharrell Williams, Bebe Rexha, and Tiwa Savage. Can you share some memorable experiences or insights you’ve gained from collaborating with such talented artists?
Lord Afrixana: Iâve been blessed enough to be able to see how different legacy artist and successful talents hone and harness their craft. I learned that sometimes the hardest thing to write is the simplest thing to say. I learned that when a lyric is right you can feel more than you hear it. But most importantly, that hard work beats talent every day, but hard work plus talent is what separates the mice from men.
đ GP: The fact that you co-wrote two songs for BeyoncĂ©’s “The Lion King: The Gift” soundtrack is a significant achievement. How did this collaboration come about, and what did you learn from the experience?
Lord Afrixana: This collaboration came about through my publishing company BMG who had reached out to me regarding my catalog in the Afro space. After getting the opportunity to attend the writing camp for “The Gift,” I took it upon myself to just put up as many shots as I possibly could in the short time I was given because I know that a lot of times in writing camps itâs a numbers game so the more you submit, the more chance you have to be chosen. But that camp taught me so much about my own self-expression and how important it is to be oneâs self in a crowded room of creatives.
đ GP: Your journey as a DACA recipient from Ghana to the music industry is inspiring. Can you share some of the challenges you faced as a young immigrant pursuing a career in music, and how you overcame them?
Lord Afrixana: Itâs interesting for me; the challenges fueled a lot of what I became as an artist. It made me resilient, it made me vulnerable sympathetic, it made me open, and honest. I truly believe that things like being able to drive, or travel freely, or attend the colleges I wanted all impacted me in a way where it took away options and plan Bâs from my life, allowing me to work towards manifesting the life I lead today as a signed artist.
đ GP: “No Favors,” your collaboration with DDG on the Godfather of Harlem soundtrack, received attention. Can you tell us about the creative process behind this track and what it means to you?
Lord Afrixana: Sure! “No Favors” was a record that I created in collaboration with my manager Steve âRhythmâ Clark and a producer by the name of Jkits. It was one of those records that came pretty easily. It was just something that we wanted to feel suspenseful and moody, and I think me and DDG did well to accomplish that.
đ GP: Your debut EP showcases your unique sound. What themes or messages were you looking to convey through this project, and what can your fans expect from it?
Lord Afrixana: I wanted to create a project that represented me and the dualities Iâve grown up with. So you get a little hip hop, a little Afro, and a little R&B. I just wanted to create a soundscape that was not only diverse but also expansive and warranting of exploration.
đ GP: Music often serves as a platform for artists to express their views and ideas. Are there any social or cultural issues that are particularly important to you, and do they influence your songwriting?
Lord Afrixana: I think creating a space and platform for the diaspora as a whole to both exist and feel seen is imperative. I think for Afrobeats to further its influence on music, it will take the concerted effort of Africa as a whole along with its diasporic counterpart to find spaces of both understanding and collaboration. Only by fostering such collaborative platforms can we gain the necessary trust and appreciation for one anotherâs. That will allow us to continue to influence the culture and overall global narrative. As the proverb says if you want to fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, then go together.
đ GP: As an artist, you’ve experienced significant success, including two Grammy nominations. What do these accomplishments mean to you, and how have they shaped your career and aspirations?
Lord Afrixana: The Grammy nominations are one of the greatest validations a musician can receive for their work. The opportunity to work on a project, particularly one with such strong ties to the African continent, makes these particular nominations that much more impactful. Theyâve become not only a motivation for future nominations and wins but also a concrete and public validation of my lifeâs work.
đ GP: Can you share some of your creative inspirations and influences outside of music that contribute to your unique style and sound?
Lord Afrixana: My creative influences vary so much from photographers to architects to chefs, designers, and philosophers. Among them, my chief favorites include Japanese photographer Hiroharu Matsumoto, architect from Burkina Faso Diébédo Francis Kéré, and Ghanaian.
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