London-based Nigerian act, Sean Dampte is an exciting Afro-Fusion act who is making steady waves. The Nigerian music space has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and Sean Dampte is hoping to leave his mark on the scene. We caught up with the budding star to talk about his music, life and everything in-between.
49th Street: Can you introduce us to Sean Dampte?
Sean Dampte: My full name is Seun Oluyole. I am an Afro-Fusion singer and songwriter. I identify with ease, happiness, living life and causing no stress. I am big on emotions and expression, which makes music an inseparable part of me. I strongly believe in communicating so much about me through my music, hence the saying. “Ariwo ko ni music.”
49th Street: A lot of artistes say they grew up listening to music by greats and as adults, they naturally gravitated towards making music. Is that how it happened for you too, or was something else the prompt?
Sean Dampte: You will agree with me that music is a universal language everybody in the whole world understands, so for artists who gravitate towards music from their younger age is a familiar case, but my story is different. I decided I was going to make music on the ay 2Pac died, 13th September 1996. (That’s been quite a while too you know?). I grew up listening to music too but I never really thought I was going to be a musician till the day 2Pac passed. My mum (who is a born again Christian) was particularly moved by the death of this legendary rapper, I mean his music got to her that much. I learnt from that day that you can send a lot of messages through music and it will spread throughout the world. Before my parents became born again, I used to listen to the music of the likes of King Sunny Ade, Fela (on the streets) and some church music.
49th Street: When did you officially start making music?
Sean Dampte: 2009 as the brand ‘Sean Dampte.’
49th Street: What would you describe your genre of music as?
Sean Dampte: Afro-Calypso but now Afro-Fusion
49th Street: What kick starts your creative process?
Sean Dampte: Like I rightly introduced myself, I am an emotional person and I do not hide from it. Primarily, emotions kick start my creative process. Anything that can stir up my emotions does it for me. I could look at a car with a different painting and think about all the reasons why I want the car…I relate this to real life as to how there could be not so much brand of cars but many women. This is my basic thought process….*laughs
49th Street: It seems as though the word “Awoodah” is present in all of your discography, what does it mean?
Sean Dampte: Awoodah is a question about the presence of the unknown! Mostly a phenomenon! Inexplainable and inexplicable feeling that gets your attention! That generally relates to elation! A feeling of being alive….. When you taste or thirst for life money, then happiness! Awoodah is the presence of the inexplainable, people try to understand everything and lose the true meaning it present. Awoodah, everything is here for a purpose, for greatness. A greeting used among Awoodahites. “Awoodah” is an expression for my basic life principles: Life, Money and Happiness. These set principles urge you to live life fully, to make sure to get money and always choose happiness. An “Awoodahite” someone who is a believer that life money happiness are what drives them. A fan of Awoodah, Someone who believes there is that one moment that will bring them to greatness! Someone who wants more of life money happiness! Someone who believes continually in themselves even against all odds and negativity. When you tap into that goal getter mentality, you become an Awoodahite!
49th Street: Apparently this is your third studio project and another instalment in the Awoodah series, what was the intent behind it? What did you want to communicate to your audiences?
Sean Dampte: Goodness comes in 3s. On the third day, Jesus rose and I felt Awoodah needed the third instalment. The first was the beginning of the journey, second was the introduction, and the third installment tells who I really am “Baba Won” (their big pappy). My consistency and delivery worldwide makes it so.
49th Street: You enlisted artistes Buju, Nizzy and Seyi Vibes in this project. Do you feel like they did a good job of helping you relate with your audience?
Sean Dampte: It is a blessing to have had these gifted artistes working on the project with me. They did an awesome job not only by relating with my audience but by also relating me with their audience. And that’s what is in it for me.
49th Street: What does music mean to you?
Sean Dampte: Mehn, I don’t know….I am not one of those artistes who have a definite meaning for what music means to them, but if I must say, music is a driving force for me, it makes me do better and it uplifts me. It is even more interesting that my music keeps me grounded. Well yea, music means a lot of things to me then.
49th Street: Should we be expecting a video of one of those songs in the project soon?
Sean Dampte: Yea, up to 3 videos have been shot. I can tell you 2 of them and keep you guessing on the third. “Allow Me” with Seyi Vibes has been shot and “Ojimo” too.
49th Street: Are there other artistes in the music scene you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
Sean Dampte: Yea, Tems, Wizkid, Offset
49th Street: Any words for your fans?
Sean Dampte: Welcome to the journey Awoodah! And make sure to make some money.