H.O.M.A (pronounced Homa) is a singer-songwriter based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He began exploring his passion for songwriting at an early age and got hooked on making rhymes and melodies with proper lyrical content. He cites fellow PH-bred African Giant, Burna Boy as one of his early influences amongst many others like Allan Rayman and Jacob Banks to name a few. He released his first ever single in 2018 when he joined Black Federation, an indie record label
in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. His sound has evolved over time from Afrocentric deep vocals to sultry seductive vocals, he really has a wide range of delivery.
As a Port-Harcourt boy and a creative, H.O.M.A is a proud representative of his city and wants his music to reflect that. In this exclusive with 49th, he talks about his art and how much he grew before deciding to drop Compilation 2.
Where did the name H.O.M.A come from?
H.O.M.A: Oh it’s purely my name. I just stylized it.
That’s so cool. So, what is your earliest memory of music?
H.OM.A: That would be from the Radio and then my uncles always slamming hip hop really loud. That’s how I fell in love with OG rappers, like Ja-Rule, PAC, Biggie.
The OGs indeed. So, you’ve always been surrounded by music?
H.O.M.A: Yeah, so to speak. At home, my parents weren’t big fans of music but my uncles were glued to music. They’re the ones that made me fall in love with music.
At what point did music become a career path for you?
H.O.M.A: Well, that was sometime around 2018, 2019. I began to feel that I could really do this music thing for real and excel. I dropped my first single around that time.
Was there a particular incident that pushed you?
H.O.M.A: Not particularly an incident. It’s just something I decided and then I decided to find people who I could do and then I went to find people that I could do it with.
Apart from the OGs, who are your musical influences?
H.O.M.A: My influences stem from a wide range of sounds so it cuts across genres. Burna Boy, Allan Rayman, Aylø, Ogranya. Just to mention a few.
You actually have a song with Ogranya don’t you?
H.O.M.A: Yes I do, “MYB”.
What is your relationship with music? Do you treat it as a diary or as therapy?
H.O.M.A: I wouldn’t know how to exactly describe the relationship. Music for me is like that Chic you really love for a whole lot of reasons. It’s an avenue to express when I’m making mine, and it is a release when listening to others make it, It’s my everyday life. It’s a part of me actually. I’m one of those people who can’t function well if they haven’t made music in a minute. Actually, it’s weird the amount of unrest I feel if I haven’t made music.
Your first album was in 2019; Compilation 1, and now Compilation 2 is in 2022. What happened?
H.O.M.A: I had to develop. Some things I heard on compilation 1 I didn’t like. So I had to work on them, while still making music.
Heard some things from other people or…?
H.O.M.A: By myself mostly. I don’t really listen to what people have to say about creating, I have to really value a person and their opinion to allow it to affect my craft.
Nice. Why do you name your albums ‘Compilations’?
H.O.M.A: It’s a mixtape series, like Tory Lanez’s Chickstape. Compilations is supposed to be a series where I can just express myself, and toe the same line as Compilations 1. My next body of work is not as genre fluid as this one would be but yeah.
Does that mean we can expect a Compilation 3?
H.O.M.A: Well, I mean yes, but it’s not going to be the next one. I don’t know when but yes you can.
What’s your usual creative process like? When you want to create something out of your usual sound, what do you do?
H.O.M.A: Does smoking count? My usual creative process is pretty tame, it’s usually just me and the sound engineer and producer in the studio, nothing too crazy.
So you’re an introvert?
H.O.M.A: Big time. I’m really just learning to be out there because of the job.
I get that. As music is a creative outlet for you, what do you want your fans to feel when they listen to your music?
H.O.M.A: I want them to get in touch with their own feelings too. Every song I make has a feeling that comes with it.
Word. What’s a song that you wish was yours?
H.O.M.A: To be honest, all of Obongjayar’s songs. That man’s a genius. Recently though, Omah Lay’s Soso is making that list. I admire their penmanship and ability to create good rhythms.
As a PH boy, what influence does your city have on your music?
H.O.M.A: Lool, has to be the doggedness you hear.
I mean, fair enough. So, what’s next for H.O.M.A? Where do you expect to see yourself when it comes to music?
H.O.M.A: At the very top. However, if I get my crowd and people that vibe with me I will be content with that. The human factor of music makes it difficult to make predictions. All I have is just the confidence and ruggedness of a PH boy.
When next can we expect to hear from you? after compilation 2, what’s next?
H.O.M.A: I’ve got my EP, it’s ready. More visuals and eventually features. I got some surprises on the way. A really dope surprise for the people that fuck with me and alte music in general.
We await. Anything else you want to say to your fans?
H.O.M.A: Yeah well, everyone should try to keep it together, times are hard and all, but we’ll see it through. Also, they have keep it locked too because I’ve got a vision and I will not let them down.
