BINTA SHAMA and some select journalists hanged out with Bennibor Onisolaime, otherwise known in the entertainment world as Laime. The artiste shares some thoughts on his musical career and what he hopes to make out of music in the years ahead.
Laime, a curious stage name. Tell us about that and by extension a bit of your ground
My name is Bennibor Onisolaime but I’m popularly known as “Laime” which is still taken from my government name. I was born in Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital in 1997 on the 29th of July and I’m from Ahoada West which is a local government located in Rivers State. It’s a really wonderful place with beautiful scenery you should definitely visit. Being from Rivers State already gave me an uplifted thinking cause it’s a state filled with people with a lot of hustle spirit, that definitely affected my music as well. I eventually moved to Lagos when I was around five-year-old and I’ve lived in Lagos ever since.
To the very first leg of your question, Laime isn’t actually a stage name. People always think it is but it’s my real name. It just sounds really cool so I understand why they would think it’s a nickname.
As an artist, what is your vision and plan for your music? Are there any specific goals or milestones you hope to achieve in the industry?
As an artiste, my greatest vision is leaving an impact on the people that matter, who are the listeners. I want to make the type of music that can be their shoulder to cry on, so I’m very personal with my music but I still try to have fun with it because it’s what I love to do. When people ask what I want music to do for me in the next five years, I don’t ever have a reply because I believe God has plans that surpass my own thinking. So, all I know and want is my music to keep taking me round the world to connect with people and keep inspiring.
But what initially inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how has that passion evolved over time?
What inspired me to want to do music is the general love of the creative process. I love that when I’m sad, happy or in any mood I can always make music about it and I always feel satisfied. It’s a great feeling that keeps on getting better and it never feels old or boring to me.
Can you share with us your favorite genre of music to create and perform? Are there any particular artists or albums that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
I don’t particularly have a favorite genre of music because over the years I’ve gone through different phases and different genres have helped me through them. I definitely like the direction Nigerian music is going, I like rap music a lot but not necessarily the new school of rap. I’m a J.Cole type of guy when it comes to rap music because I’m a fan of story telling in songs.
What sets your music apart from others in the industry? Is there a signature element or message you strive to convey through your songs?
What will always set my music apart is my story, it’s LAIME as a whole. What I can make with music as a whole is unpredictable. I’ve spent time and I’m still spending time evolving so that would always keep me ahead and set me apart.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in terms of upcoming projects or collaborations? Are there any exciting ventures on the horizon that you’d like to share with us?
Looking ahead, I’m just happy for life and I just want to keep putting out music that the fans will always go back years from now and still feel like it dropped that day. I just finished work on my EP which should be out in October with Apex Village and I’ve started more work on new projects so it’s definitely a ride to witness.