Multi-faceted superstar Rotimi has undoubtedly taken his artistry to the next level with his first 2024 single release, Sade, reaching straight down to his African roots.
He joined forces with South Africa’s Nasty C and Nigeria’s Mayorkun to release a song of love and passion blended with his signature Afrobeat sound and the popular Amapiano. Merging three creative minds and certainly raising the bar yet again.
And as an accomplished creative with impressive accolades under his belt for his music, acting career, and modeling – being a prolific artist was already written in the stars, with the 35-year-old sharing how his mother knew while carrying Rotimi that he was meant for the arts.
“It came in a dream while she was pregnant with me, and in the dream, Bob Marley said to her, ‘Your son is going to finish my legacy’ – and she thought two things: either a politician or singer, and from the moment I could open my mouth, all I did was sing.”
Organically, he grew more into his gift, with his mother nurturing the talent that she knew carried so much weight. His purpose was always in the arts.
Born to Nigerian parents and raised predominantly Nigerian in New Jersey, Rotimi believes that his cultural influence gave him an advantage in understanding the importance of hard work and never quitting.
“A lot of it (upbringing) gave me the energy that I think a lot of the American kids never had. I knew I had to keep getting better.
“The majority of my experience was Nigerian. From the food to my ways of thinking. My parents came to the States when they were in their 20s, so all they knew was the Nigerian culture. So naturally, that is the same culture that was instilled in me.”
Music kept nagging at him, and as he grew, he resorted to experimenting with it to find his own sound while also drawing massive inspiration from the likes of, yes, you guessed it, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Bob Marley, and Lauryn Hill, among others.
This led to the release of the first ever EP, Jeep Music Volume 1, in 2017—a record that has about three hits that are still being played to date. Proof that he was meant for this art form.
“I think that debut really made people aware that, as much as I’m widely known for my character on Power, I am actually a musician first, and the success of that record led to me signing with 50 Cents.
“Power was certainly like a college experience that I needed. It opened my eyes to the industry and my many abilities, but music is and has become my main focus. But that doesn’t mean if the right project comes within the acting space, I would turn it away. It just has to be right,” adding that his love for both art forms differs. “A consistent evolution of love between the two.”
His unique upbringing in a space where there weren’t many Nigerians brought about a different palate, with a musical influence that he describes as “all over the place” and that allowed him to never be boxed.
Music became a form of expression for him. A space of freedom that can connect both his worlds into one. Extending that same freedom is what he lives to do.
Sade is proof of this bridge between cultures and spaces.
“I met Nasty C a couple years ago, and we exchanged information, and we just spoke for a while. Upon developing this record, I just remember thinking how dope it would be to have him on it. And knowing how important Amapiano is to South Africa, I didn’t want to cheat the process. I wanted to go to the most authentic, legendary person I can think of who would deliver. When he said he loved it, I knew it was a sure banger,” adding that Nasty C sent his verse within two days.
Through this tool of expression and freedom, Rotimi is always inspired by his own journeys in the quest to keep his music as authentic as possible.
“Everything you’ve heard in my music is what I’ve lived, and I think that is what makes it relatable.”
He is also currently working on his sophomore album, adding that there is no rush on when he will release the project but would rather give Sade space to grow first before making his next move.
“This album represents completion; it represents who I am as a man,” with the album potentially being named after his son, Seven.
“Beyond the sentiments of Seven being my son’s name, the number is a biblical number; it represents confirmation and also means completion, and I believe that this is such a powerful project that shows off everything I represent. Being able to show my gifts and everyone seeing the versatility of who I am as an artist in its complete form,” he said.