It all started from doing amazing covers, the consistency of his wonderful voice and golden has since helped shoot him to stardom. Tonight we catch up with Johnny Drille for our #49thtweetchat
49thstreet: Hello Johnny drille, how are you feeling this fine Friday evening?
Johnny Drille: Hello 49th Street, I feel gooooooood. I love the weekend. Both literally 😂
49thstreet: Well someone is in a good mood 😁 Could the positive reactions to Mystery Girl and the Headies nomination that arrived today have something to do with it? How does it feel now that’s it’s all coming together so well for you?
Johnny Drille: Hahahaha. Mystery Girl’s got a big lump of that excitement. I’m really just happy and very excited for the future.
49thstreet: Due to the uniqueness of your style and sound, it couldn’t have been easy navigating the industry. Briefly tell us about your struggles with breaking into the Nigerian commercial market and how you stayed motivated?
Johnny Drille: The Nigerian audience is very dynamic, there’s an audience for even the most niche kind of music, it’s just about finding and growing them. Shout out Jazzy and Mavins for the support. When i make the music as it is in my head and the fans love it, is all the motivation i need.
49thstreet: I’m sure a lot of artistes will find that very encouraging to hear. Speaking of Mavins, how has the experience been working over there?
Is the experience always bliss or there’s some tough love behind the scenes sometimes?
Johnny Drille: For the most part it’s been pleasant. As with any project there’s always some back and forth but everyone works for the common good. It’s an amazing passionate team i got at Mavins, from the top to all the different departments.
49thstreet: As an artist who thrives off live performances, how did you cope with the lack of shows during the COVID era? With the situation more relaxed now, are we expecting any appearances from you this December?
Johnny Drille: It’s been a crazy year the world over and the entertainment industry took a big hit. Streaming became primary source of income and brand partnerships for me. The lock down afforded me more time to record music tho. A couple of shows this December – YES!
49thstreet: Let’s talk about your new single, Mystery Girl. Tell us the back story of how this record came about and the emotions that drove the lyrics?
Johnny Drille: Pretty long story but to cut it short I have a different persona called ‘JD’ that can and will do all the things I, Johnny wouldn’t want to do, he’s the crazy one. They say I flirt in a cute way 😞 but JD is a full blown flirt and that was in full display in #MysteryGirl
49thstreet: Still on this new single, we couldn’t help but notice the switch to a more upbeat sound of recent. How has the reception to this new sound been for you? Are we going to be hearing more of that?
Johnny Drille: Surprisingly great. My fans are amazing and have good taste. It isn’t my ‘new sound’ by the way, just a layer of different sounds I’ve been working on. Mystery Girl is only one. There’s more amazing sounds in my computer lol. I shouldn’t say that lol.
49thstreet: You can trust your loving fans to stay hungry. They really want to know: is 2021 the year we get your debut album? Should we expect a fine blend of these amazing sounds sitting pretty in your computer in this album?
Johnny Drille: 2021 will be a great year for great music. That’s all! 😎😃
49thstreet: We know you and your fans have a very unique and special connection.
Here’s some questions from them:
@the_elfrida wants to know the update on Efe; have you given up or still searching?
@JosemariaShaba asks if you’re single 😉
@Harielta_J is asking if you’ll marry her? 😁
Johnny Drille: 1. Efe is pretty much a closed chapter, couldn’t ever find her sadly.
- I’m not married lol
- Does she like beans a lot? 😂
49thstreet: Your bromance with Jon Bellion was fun to watch for the fans, lol.
But really, is it ever going to lead to a song? Or are we maybe going to get a Jon X Johnny EP/album sometime in the future? 🤞🏽
Johnny Drille: 🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎. I didn’t say much did I? Lol
49thstreet: Lol all this secrecy isn’t fair to us Johnny, it really isn’t!
Sadly we have to bring this session to a close.
It has been really fun talking to you this evening. We wish you all the best this December and the years to come!
Johnny Drille: I think JD isn’t as secretive lol. Thank you for having me, let’s do this again soon 🧡
