Introduction

Victory Nyebuchi Ken-Adele, better known by his stage name TRAD, is a 23-year-old artist from Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. Coming from a large family within the Ikwerre community, TRAD’s journey into music began at a young age. “My very first memory of music was learning the drums from my brother. I was 11 and had to take over from him as the church drummer when he was leaving. From that, I leaned into more instruments, and by the time I was 16 in 2016, I started producing. I recorded my first song and released it in 2017. That’s really how it began.”

As we enjoy the lead single of his first body of work “Do You Wrong”, we caught up with TRAD in an exclusive interview to discuss his journey, influences, and aspirations.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

The very first influence I can recall having as a kid starting out in music was Justin Bieber. As a young boy who made it to the top at that age, he was a huge source of motivation for me. When my music began to take form, I looked more at the likes of Nonso Amadi, from his Afro-RnB perspective because that sub-genre was what I identified with at the start. And a worthy mention of Burna Boy because with him, he moves with the mindset of doing any type of music one is capable of, and I flow with that ideology.

What is your songwriting process like? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the creative zone?

I usually write to the melodies I’ve created already on a beat, using whatever mood the beat puts me in to tell what I’m gonna write about. It’s kind of like you’re letting the music tell you what it wants. Sometimes I like to play the piano when making a song; that helps with my creativity.

How do you approach creating a new song? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or a particular theme?

Well, one day I could start with a melody and then put lyrics to it; the next day I may have a theme in mind before anything else. But more often than not, I like to allow the melodies to lead the way.

Can you share a personal story behind one of your favorite songs you've written?

“Memories” is an unreleased song, but I was stuck reminiscing on a past romantic love that I had. I recorded it in 2022 while I was home on a semester holiday and going through a break from my first and only relationship so far. You can understand how that was. The song will definitely be out someday.

How do you draw from your own life experiences to create music that resonates with your audience?

I just pick out the things in my life that have put me through different emotions and write about them, knowing that there are people out there who have gone through the same. Even though we live different lives, we still have shared experiences as humans.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your musical journey so far?

Breaking through the scene and keeping up every day is a daily challenge. It’s a lot of planning, and back when I started, I was doing it alone. But over time, people have come close like a team, and that has made me understand the need for cooperation.

How have you grown as an artist since you first started making music?

My vocal performance has improved, and so has my production, which means better sonics compared to even one year ago. My willingness to express myself has opened up more, and so has my understanding of the music industry. There have been a lot of changes, and it only keeps getting better.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?

I have an EP yet to be announced that I'm really excited about because it is my first body of work. It’s still a work in progress until it’s out, so I’m just making sure I put my all into it.

What are your long-term goals as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In five years, I hope to have built a great music catalog with songs across several human experiences. With every mood you get into, you will find a TRAD song for it, in different genres. And I want to have toured the world with that music.

When you're not making music, what are some of your favorite activities or hobbies?

I like to watch movies, even though I haven't done that a lot in recent months. Mostly, I just like to have a good time with my friends, not necessarily outside but just fun.

If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and Burna Boy. I like what Bob Marley’s music stood for, I’m a fan of Michael Jackson’s voice, and Burna Boy is just really good.

What message do you hope your music conveys to your listeners?

Love. Love for the experience of life, love for art and oneself. Love for your neighbor, love for God.

How do you want to be remembered as an artist?

I want to be remembered for who I was, not just the music I made. I want my ideas and actions to have helped people, and my songs to have changed someone’s life. Mostly though, I just want people to be happy they knew me.

Conclusion

As an independent artist, he has produced and engineered a number of songs, including "Out My Mind" in 2021 and "Running Back" in 2023. He is currently gearing up for the release of his first body of work, aiming to create an intimate atmosphere with his audience, introducing them to the world of the “super kid.”

“Do You Wrong” which was released on 1st May 2024, serves as the lead single off the coming project, that was released this year, 2024. The song is an expression of gratitude and greatness in one’s personal journey. TRAD conveys appreciation towards the “ancient one” (God) and the people surrounding his life, revealing a desire for solitude and connection with one’s self in commitment to a greater calling.

As TRAD continues to carve out his path in the music industry, his passion and dedication shine through in every beat and lyric. With his upcoming EP and a future filled with promise, TRAD is undoubtedly an artist to watch.