![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pan-african-music-production.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Dunnie.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Her first single, “<\/em><\/span><\/span>E go better<\/a>”\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span>topp<\/em>ed the Co<\/span>ol FM Abuja\u2019s Top Ten for three weeks in 2012. Since then, she has been actively making and pushing her music. Dunnie\u2019s recent work, SEVEN<\/em>, a twenty three minutes E.P. of seven songs released on 07\/07\/2018 to celebrate her seven years of professional music career is a warmly welcomed breakout project. With Dunnie doing most of the production, the E.P is a minimalist and skillful attempt at carving an audience and its reception is building a loyal fan base.<\/span><\/p>\n Born Oladunni Lawal, Dunnie is one of Nigeria\u2019s indie artistes making and promoting their music independently with most staying away from mainstream sounds. \u00a0In this interview with PAM, Dunnie talks about starting out as a singer, her experience working with Ric Hassani and Fiokee on Seven<\/em> among other things.<\/span><\/p>\n Well, I started singing in the choir in 2009, but before then I had been playing drums in the choir since 2004, I recorded my first song in 2011, 7 years ago, hence #SevenTheEP, but I actually started pushing independently in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n I think people will refer to art from whatever perspective they see it from. I don’t think I’m an alternative artiste. I make different Genres of music from Afro pop to soul to highlife.<\/span><\/p>\n I love ASA and Simi Dearly but no, I didn’t draw inspiration from either on this project, I was mostly inspired by Fela, Duncan Mighty, Taylor Swift, Tunji Oyelana, and Osita Osadebe for this project.<\/span><\/p>\n Ric hassani is actually the first person I would feature on any of my compositions, and it was beautiful working with him..he makes music from a passionate spot. With Fiokee it didn\u2019t look like work at all, he has always been one of my mentors in the industry, working with him is an experience I would cherish forever.<\/span><\/p>\n I look forward to working with ASA, Femi Kuti and Duncan Mighty one day.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to production I really don’t have anyone in mind. I just make beats that I love to make, if anyone popular wants to jump on it, fine, but really I don’t have anyone in mind as of now.<\/span><\/p>\n I think there are a lot of mainstream sounds on my EP.. Listen to\u00a0<\/span>Simpulu<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>Gbemiloke<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Unconditionally<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n The reception has been humbling to be honest, people connect to it. And I am excited that I was able to showcase my music to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n After 7, its more songs, more videos and we keep creating, pushing, and evolving.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhen did you start singing and when did you decide to make it a profession?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nAre you comfortable with people calling you an alternative artiste?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nIt seems you drew a lot of inspiration from Asa and Simi while working on \u2018Seven\u2019<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhat was the experience like, working with Ric Hassani and Fiokee on Tell Me and Deep Love?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pan-african-music-production.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Dunnie-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nWhich other artistes would you like to work with?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nYou also make beat under the alias \u2018OladunniTheBeatmaker\u2019, which artistes would you like to make beats for?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nHave you ever thought of making a mainstream sound?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nHow do you feel about the reception of \u2018Seven\u2019 so far?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhat is next after \u2018Seven\u2019?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\nRead next:\u00a0The rise and rise of Davido<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n