In this exclusive interview, we had the privilege of delving into the creative mind of Remy Baggins. The talented singer, rapper and producer spoke to us about his background, his love for anime, his new single and more.
What songs or kinds of songs did you listen to growing up?
My dad introduced us to straight classics. We listened to the likes of Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Craig David, Tina Turner, and, of course, MJ & Prince. There was also plenty of Yanni in the mix. As I grew older, I had Eminem, Wande Coal, Justin Timberlake, Kanye, Banky W, and 2Baba on repeat.
What three songs should everyone be listening to at this moment?
“Moth to a flame” – Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd. “Fire 4 Fire” by yours truly and “Bo card” by YKB.
How will you describe the style of music you make?
I call it “R&B fusion.” It’s a mix of my favourite genres, combining pure R&B melodies and chords with elements from Afrobeats, EDM, and UK drill.
If someone wanted to dive into your music, which three tracks of yours would you personally recommend as the best starting point?
This changes every three weeks 🤧. Currently, it’s “Fire 4 Fire,” “Tension,” and “No Regrets.”
However, I don’t think three tracks do me enough justice though. Here’s a link to a playlist I’ve put together to give you a better idea.
What is your songwriting process? Do you typically start with the melody or the lyrics? Do you write to an existing beat or prefer to create everything from scratch?
These day, I start with the beat, or at the very least, the chord progression. I come up with melodies first and then add the lyrics. Sometimes, I hear a finished beat and write to it.
What was your process for creating “Fire 4 Fire?”
This was a fun trip haha. I linked Jess ETA about two years ago, and together, we created the demo. I brought it out of the vault this year, refined it, and collaborated with YKB for that sultry hook. Shout out to XtremeTheProducer for co-producing this track.
What was your experience like collaborating with YKB?
It’s always magic whenever we link. Everything flows so easily with him. A great guy too.
Your last three projects are titled, “Hentai,” “Sakura” & “Amaterasu”. Could you share how your love for anime impacts your music?
At the time anime was one of the few things keeping me sane, and I picked up themes from Naruto in particular. Sakura is a character that Naruto had feelings for, but she didn’t like him back. So, I made the EP from Naruto’s POV, yearning for her. Amaterasu is a jutsu (spell) that produces undying black flames. My head was hot because I was tired of being underrated and I needed to vent, so I made that.
Which three anime series would you suggest to newcomers in the anime world?
Attack on Titan of course, but they should behave abeg. Then, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Assassination Classroom.
How does your background and expertise as a music producer shape the quality and approach to your own work as an artist?
It’s a blessing and a curse, to be honest. Sometimes I know exactly what works in a song and what doesn’t. on the other hand, that reduces the flexibility of my process because some things that shouldn’t work together sound really good, and that’s all that really matters.
What’s the most impactful piece of music industry advice you’ve ever been given?
“Nobody cares, work harder.” Nobody will ever have your own back like you. There’s an almost delusional level of self-belief you need to have, and an incredibly wild amount of hard work you need to do. Nobody sees what’s going on behind the scenes, so nobody is gonna make excuses for you. Like Burna said, no evidence!
What’s the best album you’ve listened to so far this year, and why?
Fridayy by Fridayy. The cohesiveness >>> plus that brother dey sing pieces.
Honourable mention: Nonso Amadi – When it Blooms
If you could rewrite a classic song/album, which would it be and why?
Craig David – Born to Do It. I just wanna sprinkle small pidgin here and there and tweak some drums.
What are the most important questions independent artists should be trying to answer right now as they look to navigate the music industry?
How do I get funds? How can I get the best people on my team? How do I manipulate this rugged game to work in my favour?
What are you currently working on?
My next two albums!
What can we expect from Remy Baggins next?
I’ve got an album on the way! Instant classic. You’ll see.
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