ClayRocksU : Africa’s Rock Goddess Discusses Latest EP ‘Hate It Here’ In EXCLUSIVE Interview
While many artists bend to the demands of Afro-pop and Afrobeats to achieve commercial success, Clayrocksu remains a steadfast pioneer in the realms of alternative rock and punk.
Her latest EP, Hate It Here, is a testament to this unwavering dedication. A departure from her previous work, it showcases a sonic evolution that is both bold and relatable. The tracks spin tales of angst and resilience, resonating deeply with listeners who crave authenticity.
In the unpredictability of Nigeria’s music scene, where stars are born overnight and genres trend in the blink of an eye, Bianca Adanna Okorocha , professionally called ClayrocksU is known as “Africa’s Rock Goddess,” and she stands as a beacon of creative freedom and authenticity.
While many artists bend to the demands of Afro-pop and Afrobeats to achieve commercial success, Clayrocksu remains a steadfast pioneer in the realms of alternative rock and punk. She moves to the beat of her drum, crafting music that’s as raw and rebellious as her spirit.
Her latest EP, Hate It Here, is a testament to this unwavering dedication. A departure from her previous work, it showcases a sonic evolution that is both bold and relatable. The tracks spin tales of angst and resilience, resonating deeply with listeners who crave authenticity.
Amidst the buzz surrounding her latest release, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Clayrocksu. In an exclusive interview, she opened up about the significance of Hate It Here, her journey as Africa’s Rock Goddess, and the exciting projects on her horizon. Her words were as electrifying as her music, promising fans that the best is yet to come.
I’ve been working on this project for about four years. The first song, ‘We Got
Love,’ was written during the COVID crisis in 2020. The EP is about growing up too fast and coping with adulthood.
Interview Highlights
MC: Hello Clayrocksu, how are you doing today? Can you explain your feelings an hour ago before this interview?
Clayrocksu: I feel good, thank you. Well, I would say I was a little bit overwhelmed and depressed for several reasons about an hour ago, but I’m feeling okay now.
MC: I’ve got to ask. Who is Clayrocksu? The first time we discovered your music and your name, we thought this person must be a fan of anime characters.
Clayrocksu: Yeah, I get that a lot. I feel like when anime fans, especially a lot of the Gen-Z fans, come across my page, they think my name is born out of being a fictional character Otaku or something, or how it is pronounced. But it’s not actually what they think it is. My name is pronounced literally as an English word: Clay-Rocks-U (as in Clay Rocks You). Sounds cool. I guess it’s the best of both worlds now. That’s for the Japanese anime fan help.
Clayrocksu is a musician, a rockstar, a singer, a trailblazer, a non-conformist, a rebel, and an empath. I’ll call myself a work of art; everything about me is artistic, yeah.
MC: Let’s take it back to the beginning. Your debut single ‘Ogadisinma’ was nominated for the Best Alternative category at the Nigeria Music Video Awards in 2011. Can you share the story behind this song and how it felt to receive such recognition so early in your career?
Clayrocksu: The truth is, back then, music was easier to navigate, and the industry has changed significantly. In that era, music had a slower output; one or two songs could trend for a whole year or many months. Parents were less supportive of their children pursuing music, and Nigerian music hadn’t gained international acceptance in this regards. It was easier to find your community, and radio was more supportive, unlike now where payola is more prevalent. Releasing ‘Ogadisinma’ during that time was encouraging and propelled me to consider music as a viable career path.
MC: What lessons have you learned that have been most valuable to you both personally and professionally from back then until now?
Clayrocksu: I’ve grown a lot. Initially, I was trying to make music that would sell, but now I make music I enjoy. My earlier work was 60% commercial, but now I blend African percussions with rock, staying true to my Nigerian roots. Over the years, I’ve learned to balance these elements. I’ve also grown as a performer, playing at least 150-200 gigs in the past four years. Sometimes delays are necessary for growth. Looking back, I realize how much I’ve improved and prepared for the next stages.
MC: As an alternative/rock artist in Nigeria, what are some of the biggest challenges you face in the music industry, and how do you think these challenges can be addressed?
Clayrocksu: One of the biggest challenges is getting music from point A (the musician) to point B (the audience). There aren’t enough listeners for my genre. The industry needs to create infrastructure for other sub-genres to thrive and become commercialized. More listeners and investments in these genres are essential.
MC: Who are some of your biggest musical influences within and outside Nigeria, and how have they shaped your sound?
Clayrocksu: My earliest influences were rock, pop-punk, and heavy metal artists like Linkin Park, Sigur Rós, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Since then, I knew I would become a rock artist.
MC: When you’re in the studio, what are some essentials you need?
Clayrocksu: Just inspiration and a music producer. I usually have an idea and story in my head before recording, so sessions flow easily unless I’m not feeling inspired, which can take longer.
MC: How long does it take you to finish a song?
Clayrocksu: It typically takes one to two hours to finish a song because I already have an idea in my head before recording.
MC: You frequently collaborate with your music producer Coldflames. How has this partnership influenced your music, and what makes your collaboration so successful?
Clayrocksu: Cold Flames was the first producer I ever worked with. He took a serious interest in my music from the start and pushed me all the way. After he quit music, it threw me off balance, leading to a five-year break. Now I’m back with my EP “Hate it Here”. Cold Flames was instrumental in my career, and I owe him a lot.
MC: Your EP ‘Road Less Traveled’ released in 2017 features ‘The One’ with Johnny Drille, which has received a lot of attention. Can you discuss the creative process behind this EP and your collaboration with Johnny Drille?
Clayrocksu: Interesting, you know, before the EP, Johnny Drille and I had known each other for years. He actually reached out to me on Facebook around 2013, saying my music inspired him. We kept in touch, sharing songs and talking about collaborating. When I started working on ‘Road Less Traveled,’ it was a no-brainer to include him.
I had never written a proper love song before, so a friend co-wrote ‘The One,’ and I added my own touches. Johnny added his verse and some instrumentals, co-producing the track. He was so supportive, even promoting it, which made people think he was my alter ego! It was a fun and meaningful collaboration.
MC: Let’s talk about your most recent release, “HATE IT HERE.” How did this project come
together?
Clayrocksu: I’ve been working on this project for about four years. The first song, ‘We Got Love,’ was written during the COVID crisis in 2020. The EP is about growing up too fast and coping with adulthood. It reflects on how life isn’t what we thought it would be, with all the hate, war, and famine around us.
It also addresses the state of Nigeria and how the government has failed us. By age 30, many friends have left the country, and life seems unfair. This project is my expression of those sentiments.
MC: What song did you enjoy making the most from the project ‘HATE IT HERE’?
Clayrocksu: I have two favorites: ‘Take Me Higher’ and ‘Nu Religion.’ ‘Nu Religion’ was the last song I made for the EP and was the fastest to produce, taking just a day. It has metal elements, and surprisingly, people loved it despite its complexity. It was the song I made for myself, and I didn’t expect it to resonate so well with others.
MC: In 2015, you were awarded the Rock Goddess of the Year at Audio Inferno’s African Rock Music Awards. What does this title mean to you, and how do you see your role in the Nigerian rock scene?
Clayrocksu: That award wasn’t just Nigerian; it included artists from Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. Winning it was unexpected but validating. I call myself “godessa” because of this award. It’s a unique title compared to the usual “rock queen.” Despite the strong rock communities in other regions, West Africa has been as strong, so winning was a big deal.
MC: As an artist who values creativity, how do you feel about the balance between human creativity and machine-generated assistance? Do you think AI can enhance or diminish artistic expression?
Clayrocksu: Humans will always be one step ahead of machine learning because AI learns from us. AI can be helpful, especially for finding rhymes or synonyms. However, it’s important to use AI as an assistant, not as a primary creator. AI-generated content can be easily recognizable, so we should focus on how we creatively use it.
MC: Are there any upcoming collaborations or performances that you’re particularly excited about? Give us the exclusives…
Clayrocksu: I recently dropped my EP and had a feature with American artist Duncan Daniels on his song ‘Evergreen.’ I’m excited about a potential collaboration with SKALES. We might hit the studio soon, but nothing is confirmed yet.
MC: What is your vision for the future of rock and alternative music in Nigeria, and how do you see yourself contributing to that vision?
Clayrocksu: I hope the music industry becomes structured, with infrastructure for all genres, including rock. We have a bi-monthly event at Hard Rock Cafe in Lagos, where we perform alternative and rock music. Spotify also reached out for an editorial playlist for African rock music, which I curated. It’s called ROCK AFRICA. These initiatives aim to push rock music forward in Nigeria.
MC: It’s been amazing chatting and having this conversation with you, you’re so sweet and amazing, thank you for sharing your remarkable music journey and thought processes with us, thank you for your time, did you have any last words for your music lovers?
Clayrocksu:
Keep up hope. Define success by your own standards, not the world’s. Work hard and believe in yourself. This has been one of my most interesting conversations to date.
Thanks to Music Custodian and your team. Do have a wonderful time.
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2 months ago[…] of the industry – further witnessing Africa’s Rock Goddess and award wining Rockstar ClayRocksU who gave guests an education on authenticity and industry progress in general especially as a […]