Discover... GBNGA
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Photo Credit: @babajideosikoya
Quarantine has affected us all in different ways. For artist, GBNGA, the time was used to be creative and get in his music bag with latest single “Sleep”. The song is reminiscent of early ‘00s club bangers and has no doubt help people remember the good times aka being out and about more freely. Read more of out conversation with him, lightly edited, below.
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Let’s start off by your name — tell us the story behind that.
GBNGA is interesting because it’s my real name, [it’s] “GBENGA” without the E. Gbenga means, “God lifts me up in Yoruba”. I wanted to retain some of that power in my artistry as we always aspire for elevation. As well as powerful, my name will always continue being something people struggle to pronounce. When I was younger, I was always insecure about my name. I recall being on the 231 bus and girls from St Annes screaming, Mango, Bango and all sorts. Missing out the E in my name is an act of embracing a mystery which has followed me all my life. I don’t think anyone’s laughing about my name now haha.
You’re also from Tottenham in North London, tell us how the area shaped not only you as a person but your sound/creativity as an artist.
Tottenham has played a part in shaping my level of determination. I witnessed the Tottenham Riots in the frontline and saw my area burn to shreds but also saw us rebuild. I think I learned a thing or two about the capability of the human spirit. In terms of sound, I listened to Boy Better Know, Wretch 32, Chip, Castro (CASISDEAD), Northstar, Marvel and even early OFB. Music has always been around me and my earliest memories of a studio was in Tottenham Hale during Year 7. I would like to think of my sound as my own but I wouldn’t have been pushed to discover it if it wasn’t for Tottenham artists who paved the way.
You recently told WFA that you’ve been making music in lockdown, before we get into that, how has this Quarantine period been for you?
It’s been a rocky period. I went through some personal stuff which I’m releasing through my music. I feel like I’ve learned different methods of self-care and the importance of loving yourself. This includes a brand new skin care routine haha.
Onto a track you were able to make during lockdown, “Sleep”. This brought us *serious* Garage vibes, like we were back in the early 00’s. When did the ideas for the track start formulating? — Take us through the process of making this song.
Sleep is a song about missing someone you can’t be with. We all know how it feels to miss our loved ones during lockdown. Before I made the track I was dealing with missing someone I couldn’t be with. It’s not simple but I listened to a lot of instrumentals for producers I work with and naturally found myself spilling my heart on a garage beat.
I’m in love with UK native sounds, sounds made by us for us! I wrote Sleep [earlier in lockdown] and only recorded it in my room once I set up my home studio. Revisiting the song was interesting because I found myself still missing her but with a clearer understanding of how life has to play out. For example, it sucks but it is what it is. Consequently, it enabled me to push the song out to the public which is doing really well at the moment. I’m proud of Sleep because it feels like I really dug deep inside and made something beautiful, similar to Frank Ocean - Thinking about You.
On another track “Cherry B” there’s a particular line where your collaborator, Gxnxsis says:
“And fuck Black History Month when us Kings and Queens make news everyday.”
Putting that into the context of today and recent events, what changes are you hoping to see in everyday life this decade, spurred by the “Black Lives Matter” movement?
I hope that more non-black people join our fight and learn how to be a real ally. I hope that we do more things to educate the masses on race and class. All Lives can’t matter if Black Lives don’t Matter and that’s all sorts of Black Lives in respect of gender, sexuality, religion/spirituality and politics. I’m really optimistic that we’re going to be exposed to more black owned businesses too!
What can we expect from you in the rest of 2020?
The continuation of my personal growth and evolution of my artistry. What I said could manifest into a tape, music videos or even ways to benefit our community. I feel like each day I’m getting closer to the man I want to be and I hope that growth reflects in my art! EXPECT MORE VIBES!
And finally, what does success mean to you?
It means two things and it could be right or wrong but it’s all I know right now. Firstly, being at peace with life and being content. Secondly, having the means in order to provide tools for black empowerment within the arts. I feel like we might come back to this question in 5 years time, so let’s bet on that! Haha.
Be sure to follow GBNGA’s story on socials and streaming platforms.
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