16th October, 2023
Young and sensational St Lewis is a Nigerian-born rapper-singer and songwriter, who has a plethora more to offer and is readily carving his own path into becoming a voice in the future of next-gen music star.
The youngster whose real name is Ochonma Lewis Chika had first dropped a joint EP with another artiste titled ‘AudioMark’ in 2022. St Lewis went further and released a new song titled “Adenike”, an original proper Afro-fusion song laced with good instrumentals with nice lyric flows dedicated to his lover.
With these stunning body of works already dropped, St Lewis has awesomely showcased his potential and capability as a newcomer with a lot of talents. In this interview, he speaks about his journey to the entertainment industry, challenges, and success story among others.
Who is St Lewis?
My name is Ochonma Lewis Chika and I am a proud Nigerian rapper, writer, and singer. So for those who believe in the zodiac signs, Lewis is a Leo. I am a father and an entrepreneur.
What was your growing up like?
Growing up in Mafoluku Oshodi in the 90s was fun for kids of our generation, even with the internet not as popular as it is now, with the absence of Cocomelon and Ben 10, we had Tom and Jerry, Hercules, and Mulan, we had our own music, both international and local, Daddy Showkey had his time, Awilo Logomba, Remedies, and the likes. So growing up was fun I’ll say.
Take us through your creative process.
When u say creative process, you’ve got to be specific, as a human I am creative by nature. We create a lot of things on a daily, but if you’re talking about music, then taking you through my creative process means you have to start living in my head cause that’s where it all starts.
How did you get into music business?
Jimson my friend/in-law who is also musician talked me into it. Jimson and I had hooked up at a relative wedding in 2019 two years later we hooked up again at my baby’s naming ceremony in 2021 and that was how it all started, we released a joint EP titled “AudioMark” the following year and the project gained a lot of positive compliments and I’ll say it got a lot of encore if I can use that word, that’s how I got into music business, before meeting Jimson music was just a hobby to me.
How long have you been in the music business?
Since 2022.
Your latest single ‘Adenike’ just dropped how is the reception on it so far?
‘Adenike’ just dropped and the reception in just 24 hours has been very impressive so far.
How was the process of making this song?
Like I said earlier, it all starts in the head. The song was written a long ago when I was trying to woo Adenike who happens to be my wife now, so it’s a love song written years ago, I am just putting it out now for anybody who is actually going through what I was when I wrote that song, you know music is spiritual and it’s all about feelings.
How challenging is it to be a musician?
Being a musician in a country like ours is very challenging. A lot of challenges but I’ll just highlight a few, the major two challenges. First is having to convince your parents about your chosen career, second having finances to pursue your career in a country like this.
How do you balance music and other obligations like work, leisure, and family?
Music, family, work all in one place. So I made it easy for myself.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I’d really love to tell you all about my upcoming projects but then I’ll be letting the cat out of the bag too quickly. So, I’ll just say I got joint EPs and solo EP dropping soon.
How do you hope your sound evolves/changes going forward?
I am sure know my sound is going to evolve, it’s going to change and it’s going forward because both the sound and the maker of the sound are living, and every living thing evolves and changes.
How would you describe your struggle over the years finding your feat in the industry?
Like they say the struggle continues, the higher you go the harder it becomes, I’ve learned it’s like a video game, after a certain level you have to go harder for the next level.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to ten years?
My accomplishments in the next 5-10 years depend on the fans and my work. But in the next five years, I hope to be performing at the Grammys and even getting nominations Insha Allah.
What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
My strength is my passion for my art and not just my art but music in general, the love and passion of all genres and not just the trending genre.
What are the challenges you’ve faced so far?
Challenges facing so far as an independent artiste is finance, that’s all, finances.
The Amapiano sound is sweeping through the continent now. How do you feel about it?
I feel good about the Amapiano sound, it’s a beautiful sound and I have jumped on a couple of Amapiano beats myself so I am not left out of the trend.
Who influences you in the music industry both in Nigeria and Diaspora?
People like Nas, Eminem, Nelly, Black Magic, Olamide, Wande Coal 2 Face, and a lot of others with good sounds, even Portable Zaazu is an influence.
If you’re not doing music, what will you be doing?
If I wasn’t doing music, I’d be playing football or writing books. I used to have passion for reading and writing books and football growing up. So if it wasn’t music it’d be one of these.
Are you an independent artiste, and does having a record label play a big role in the industry?
Having a record label would play a big role, but still depending on the relationship with the record label. I have seen people who signed recording deals that ruined their careers and we have seen artists who signed deals that helped their careers, So having a record would really play a huge role.
Who would you like to collaborate with among the heavyweights in the Nigerian music industry?
I will say 2Baba, Wande Coal, Olamide Badoo, MI, and Wizkid is crazy with hooks. So of course Wizzy. This will be a major turn over for my career.