By Benjamin Njoku

Multi-talented singer Sley Sleek, whose debut EP, “ A Quarter of Me” is currently enjoying massive airplay, has narrated how music provided him  an escape after he lost his father while he was  9 months  old.

The singer made this revelation, while in a chat with Showtime during the week.

He said growing up without a father, music was the only thing that gave him consolation and an escape from the vicissitudes of life.

“Music has always been a part of him,” Sleejk added. He also revealed how the likes of Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Kcee, Vector, Brandy Norwood, Patoranking, Harrysong, DJ Xclusive among other top music stars inspired him to embrace music.

Sleek said he was privileged to interview these superstars, while he was a reporter with Ovation International Magazine. It was a privilege that birthed his musical journey and set him on the path of greatness.

Apart from the EP,”A Quarter of Me” which he released months back, Sleek has also dropped a couple of other songs in the past. They include, “Do as I do,” produced by myself; “Baby duro,” and “It’s “What you Do (se temi).” He hinted that he would drop another EP of five tracks and a couple of music videos in the coming months.

Recalling how he delved into music, the singer said he began his career as a dancer and song writer before he evolved as a recording artist.

READ ALSO: How Psquare, Wizkid inspired my music—Snazzy Ipupa

He described himself as ‘a creative alchemist, a go-getter, and a dreamer,” adding “I am also multi-talented and vast in different creative endeavours, including music, dance, songwriting, actual creative writing.

Speaking further, Sleek said music has always been a part of me. Having lost his father at the early age of 9 months, the singer recalled how music provided an escape for him from the vicissitudes of life.

He also mentioned the likes of Michael Jackson, Usher Raymond, and Psquare as his early influences in music. “At the time, I would mime and dance to their songs as I started off as a dancer, attending different events with my crew. Then, I realized that I could write songs and jump on popular instrumentals,” the singer recounted. 

Sleek’s music is a blend of reggae and Afro-pop. But he likes to be seen as an all-around music artist. “ I am mostly influenced by the emotions that instruments have on me; this largely informs my lyrics,” he explained.

On ‘A quarter of Me’, Sleek said the EP is not only a tale of possibility, but also, snippets of him revealing the stuff he’s made of to the world.”

He narrated, “ I began as a dancer, writer, and recording artist. I watched my elder brother and his crew record songs, and sometimes, I would accompany them to the studio to learn from them. So, at some point, I started writing for them and also got featured on a couple of their songs.

“But the big break for me was in 2014 when I was privileged to work as a writer with Ovation International Magazine. Before then, I was already producing my songs and had a couple under my belt. But the platform offered me the opportunity to meet the likes of Burna Boy, Kcee, Vector, Brandy Norwood, Patoranking, Harrysong, Yemi Alade, DJ Xclusive among others. Meeting and interviewing these award-winning artists kind of inspired me to take my music more seriously. So, I started recording at a professional level and worked with the likes of FlipTyce and Teepiano Mix.”