Emerging with a fresh and vibrant sound, Emmanuel Nelson Enunku, AKA Nelsane, is a young Nigerian artiste set to take on the music industry. From his early days in University of Cross River State to touring states across Nigeria, this dynamic artiste blends a range of diverse genres to evoke emotive music for his audience. In this interview, Nelsane walks us through his artistic journey, his challenges and growth.
Can you take us through your musical journey from when you first started experimenting with music during your early days at University?
Nelsane: Well, during my early days, I never really thought I would make music. Because you could tell the difference between what I am doing and what I studied. During school, I stumbled across a Nasty C’s challenge and I just hopped on it. When I did, I realized that I could actually do this. Then I sent it to some of my friends, they liked it. So I thought to keep doing it. So in 2018, I started recording, going to studios, and then two years later, I dropped my first single.
When you sent your music to your friends, how was the reception from them?
Nelsane: When I showed my music to my friends. There were just two. But those two opinions meant a lot to me because I respected the opinions. If it wasn’t good, they would have told me it wasn’t good. I knew it was good because I heard it, but they confirmed it for me. And when they did that, I just went ahead with it, even while I was still in school. That’s how we started this. They don’t know yet. But they’re one of the reasons why I started doing this.
Your debut single, ‘Desire,’ released in October 2020 marked the beginning of your music career. How did this influence your approach to music and shape your aspirations as an artist?
Nelsane: When I dropped my debut single in 2020, most people thought it was just one of those things you pick up during the COVID because most people were just picking up things since they were home all day. They didn’t know that this was something I really wanted to do, and COVID just gave me enough time to decide on how I wanted to move ahead with this. And I just did.
Well, I didn’t get a lot of people listening to it. But if I was going to make everything dependent on the reception I got from ‘Desire’, I probably wouldn’t still be doing this. But I still went ahead with it because I knew what I was hearing. And I just wanted to keep doing it.
In those times, what was your motivation, and how were you able to navigate through the hurdles?
Nelsane: To be honest, it wasn’t easy. But I just wasn’t able to support myself because that’s the main thing. And I just had to figure out a way to support this whole thing, because there’s nobody that’s going to push it out for you other than yourself. And that’s what I thought to myself and I just started trying to find a way before I decided to put out another one again. Because the first one literally drained me. But I had to find a way to maintain momentum. And so that’s what I did.
As an artiste, which other artistes have been your biggest inspirations?
Nelsane: For inspiration, I listened to Bryson Tiller. Not a lot of Nigerian artists inspired me. But Tems was one of them at the time. At the time, the sound she was building was something different. I was a little bit worried about the reception from Nigerians. But they accepted her. And I thought, if they can accept her, then there’s nothing holding me back anymore. So I listen to Tems. And the consistency of Drake at the time also, really made me want to do it because he kept on dropping back to back. So I said I’m just going to do this.
Your music blends Alté, Afrobeat, Afro Swing, and Afropop. How do you approach merging these diverse genres into your music while maintaining who Nelsane is?
Nelsane: I could tell that Tems had that alté vibe, so listening to her helped me. But I think why I’m working with this sound I’m currently on has to do with listening to the songs at the time, the experiences, coupled with my own experience as a Nigerian, helped to blend them. And I’m really particular about my identity as a Nigerian. I didn’t just want to sound foreign. To be honest, when people tell me that my sound is foreign, it sort of bothers me because that’s what I try to avoid. To them, it’s a compliment, but I don’t see it that way. So I try to be Nigerian in my sound.
In April 2023, your single ‘DOUBT ME‘ gained significant traction and led to performances on the Trace Campus Tour ’23 and Glitch Africa. Can you share with us the experience of being part of this tour and how it impacted your career?
Nelsane: That was my first time traveling multiple states in a short amount of time. I wouldn’t say the first stop was really great, because I was nervous. But as time went by, I blended. ‘Doubt Me’ wasn’t a song I wanted to perform at the time but my management said it was the best thing to do, so we went on with it. And the experience made me realize that if I put in the work, I’d get the reward. And it’s been my most successful moment so far.
Your latest single, ‘Odeyshi,’ has been receiving attention for its unique sound and lyrical depth. What inspired the creation of this track?
Nelsane: Well, I’m going to say this, in most of my songs, I dragged them out of personal experiences that I’ve had. Because to me, that’s the only way anybody can make any meaningful song. This particular one was about someone I cared about. And as time went on, we just started seeing things differently. All of a sudden, everything went cold. You can tell the difference, from when we were together, the love and affection, how she was into me to when she started giving cold responses, and all of that. You know how someone does everything to block you from them? So yeah, that was it.
And my expectation is for my audience to like this one, just like they did with previous songs. I really want them to enjoy it, because I’m really big on my fans enjoying the music.
Beyond music, you’re involved with Charity Hub NG in Calabar, supporting street kids through creative arts. Could you tell us more about your philanthropic efforts and why this cause is important to you?
Nelsane: That’s something I just love doing. We’re just going around helping these kids. We started with one, and before you knew it, the numbers increased. We’re trying to make a difference in Calabar because if you ever go there, you’ll see the areas that need help. And since we can help them, why not?
Going back to the music. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the music industry, and how have you navigated them?
Nelsane: I think one of the challenges is getting the features I want. There are some artistes I want to work with, but for some reason, I can’t get to them or make it work. That’s it. Every other thing, I feel it’s normal.
What’s a lesson that you’ve picked up so far in your journey?
Nelsane: Patience. If you really want to see this music through, you need patience.
You’ve expressed ambitions to collaborate with artists such as Tems, Rema, Wizkid, and Wande Coal. Would you say they’re your biggest inspirations, and how would these collaborations shape your music?
Nelsane: First of all, they don’t necessarily have to be an inspiration. I just admire what they do, and the way they’re able to relate their music to their fans. If I see something that’s good, I like it. So I feel if I can get these collaborations with these guys, it would come out good. Of course, it would help boost my music streams and the social aspect of it. But I would really like to be in the studio with a couple of these artistes and see how they work. I just want to experience working with other artistes that I admire.
Looking ahead, what should we be expecting from Nelsane?
Nelsane: Nelsane is always working, always in the studio. I think after ‘Odeyshi’, I’m considering dropping an EP or single next. But an EP is definitely in the works and may come out before the year runs out.