ShineTTW: An Artiste Destined To Be A Star In His Own Right

The Nigerian Music Industry is in a never-ending cycle of churning out amazing talents. The latest debut unto this vibrant scene is an artiste intertwining his journey with the rich tapestry of Nigerian Heritage called ShineTTW. The Afro-Sentio artiste; as he refers to himself has roots anchored in the vibrant rhythms and soul-stirring melodies of his homeland which is fueled by passion and perseverance. As he steps onto the global stage with the support and co-signs of esteemed figures in the music industry, we catch up with him for this candid cover story the April issue of our magazine. Here’s how the conversation went:

FOURTH AVENEW: You call yourself an Afro Sentio artiste, can you share with us the journey that led you into the music scene, and what unique elements of your Nigerian background influence your music?

ShineTTW: Yes “Sentio” is a Latin word that means perceive, feel, experience. My music gives a specific feeling/experience depending on the message I am passing on a record or body of work. I started my music journey in my early school days, growing up as a child I used to enjoy singing a whole lot. My Dad was a DJ & he used to play lots of classic records by Nigerians which I used to enjoy listening to. Also, some of the traditional songs & instruments I used to listen to back in my hometown kind of influenced me as well.

F.A: How does it feel to have garnered support and co-signs from respected figures in the music industry, and how has that impacted your approach to your craft?

S.TTW: I will say it’s a very motivational feeling knowing that the superstars I have been listening to acknowledge my music at such an early stage in my career, so I am very grateful. In terms of the impact, it inspires me to work harder and be better at my music.

F.A: As a rising artiste in the African music scene, what do you believe sets your musical style apart from others, and how do you hope to contribute to the evolution of the Afrobeats genre?

S.TTW: I make my music in a way that depicts who I am and where I am from. My lyrics are very simple & easy for my listeners to understand. The kind of songs I make evoke the feeling of comfortability & fits into every mood. I also believe I am contributing to the evolution of the
Afrobeats genre by bringing originality and making music that best reflects the beauty of being a Nigerian artiste, while pushing African art to the rest of the world.

F.A: Nigeria has a rich musical heritage. How do you draw inspiration from your cultural roots, and how does it manifest in your compositions and performances?

S.TTW: Yes the heritage of Nigerian music has been a huge contributing factor because I grew up listening to legends like Osita Osadebe and Fela Kuti, just to name a few. The music they made even before I was born have been a source of inspiration to me. Like I said earlier, listening to musical instruments in my hometown while I was growing up as well has really helped me in crafting my artistry in music and being able to connect with the audience during performances.

F.A: Can you tell us about any specific challenges you’ve faced breaking into the music scene, and how you overcame them to reach the point where you are now?

S.TTW: I’ll say trying to get people to listen to your songs. Over here in Nigeria people don’t really listen to growing artists so it’s difficult to get people to listen to your songs & get the audience to engage you during performances. I’ve been able to overcome this by being creative with the way I engage the audience, creating more relatable content for them to engage on social media as well.

F.A: With Afrobeats gaining global recognition, how do you see your music contributing to the broader Pan-African music movement, and what message do you aim to convey through your art?

S.TTW: I’ll say my unique sound makes it obvious that African music is very diverse & beautiful in its own way. I intend to convey a happy feeling through my music. The world is hard enough already, I want people to listen to my music & cheer up.

F.A: How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your Nigerian roots while also appealing to a diverse, global audience in your music?

S.TTW: I’m 100% in for staying true to my Nigerian roots. Our type of songs & sound regardless of the language is getting more accepted by other parts of the world & that’s an amazing thing. So I believe, as long as I make good music in my own way, the world will catch up.

F.A: In what ways do you use your platform to address social or cultural issues, and what impact do you hope your music can have on society?

S.TTW: My debut single ‘No Religion’ was addressing the fact that my country Nigeria is a developing country & the economy is quite tough but regardless we all must thrive & make our parents proud. I just want to use my music to give people hope in whatever way I can. The kind of impact I want my music to have is a joyful one, I want people to listen to my music & have broad smiles on their faces.

F.A: As someone fresh in the music industry, what advice would you give to aspiring Afrobeats artistes who are looking to make their mark on the international stage?

S.TTW: Work hard & don’t stop working! You might think nobody is seeing you but I promise people you don’t expect are watching.

F.A: Thank you very much for allowing us to have this sit-down with you.

S.TTW: It’s been my pleasure.