Rapper Savage drops his new single and talks about his musical journey

Nigerian born singer and rapper Savage officially entered the music scene last year, and says things have been going well and he doesn't f regret the time it took for him to launch his career professionally.

With influences from Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti all the way to 2face, Tiwa Savage, Marvin Gaye and reggae pioneer Bob Marley, it was a no-brainer on which direction he would take with his music.

Savage, real name Godson Ogaga Essi, is not one to be boxed in to music and being an Afro-fusion artist. He is also a designer who started out as part of a creative initiative called Savage Space.

“We created a community of creatives called Savage Space around a community of creatives from fashion designing to music. We started with a clothing brand called Savage Space Couture about four years ago and we've been doing very well, until I started music professionally last year.”

“It has the sound of Afro, reggae, juju music and also a bit of trap. That's what Afro-fusion is.  I'm very versatile. I rap and I sing,” he told TshisaLIVE.

Savage started his music career in 2010 a part of a musical group. However, he said being independent was expensive and he chose to focus on his fashion brand to make money.

He decided to take a hiatus from music to focus on his fashion line, but found his passion for music again and decided to do things formally last year.  

The 26-year-old said he was inspired by his parents to get into making clothes because they were "fashion people".

“Growing up the way they dressed groomed us, There was fashion everywhere. I was born into it and the music as well. ”

The singer, who has been travelling back and forth  between Nigeria and SA since he was a boy, said this has given him his niche as a musician.

“As a Nigerian it helps my confidence. The sea view in Cape Town gives me inspiration. I sometimes infuse that in my music. ” 

Last year he released his first highly anticipated 10-track debut album Utopia.

“I've been between Cape Town and Nigeria, pushing the music. I've been to Ghana as well. Cape Town is where my music skyrocketed and I wasn't expecting it.”

Savage is working on a new album set to be released in November

“On the album we have DJ Maphorisa, Blxckie and other exciting artists. I'm so happy. This feels amazing. ”