When it comes to making music, Diamant-B has done it all. He’s been part of an ensemble and ridden solo, which is how he goes about things today. We talked about making things work on his own, his latest ‘‘Chicken X Champagne’ EP, and more like the rising interest in Afrobeats.
Kendra: Was music something you always felt drawn towards?
Diamant-B: Yes from when I was very young. Way back during the boy band era, myself and a group of friends used to go on stage at our school’s social events, lip sync, and add dance steps to some of the hit songs back then. Noticing how people loved watching us do these performances nurtured a strong desire to want to make and perform my own music.
Kendra: You were part of a group for some years and are now focusing on your solo material. Did it take time to adjust to writing and recording on your own as opposed to having multiple people in the mix?
Diamant-B: No not at all. Before it all, I had been a solo artist. The team-up was based on the logic that many hands make the job easier, and it was great because I took those years to polish my skill set. So when it was time to work again as a Solo artist it was easier. Also, it made creating this project more fun, because I wanted it to feel and sound a certain way, and I wouldn’t have had that creative control if I was in a group/band.
Kendra: Your current EP, ‘Chicken X Champagne,’ sounds like a wonderful main course but what dessert would you say would pair well with the overall sound and vibe of the record?
Diamant-B: Of course, after the main meal comes dessert. So stay tuned for that. It will be a delightful journey. My team and I are about to embark on a visual journey, and we promise to put together stunning pieces of art that will most definitely satisfy our audiences’ taste buds.
Kendra: When it comes to your music, you are all-in with the Afrobeat inspo. I feel like in recent years I’ve come across more and more artists incorporating those sounds into their music. Why do you think this style has been resonating so much as of late?
Diamant-B: With me, that sound is first nature. I have been doing Afro music before it became a niche. Given that I moved to the UK from Cameroon, my music was infused with Afro sounds from the jump. But I am a versatile artist, I don’t only do Afro music, I can work on many other genres.
It’s beautiful to watch the growth of the Afro sound and culture, and I think the Internet and social media have a huge role to play. It has exposed Africa’s rich culture to the world, and it only makes business sense for these record labels and foreign artists wanting to get a piece of the pie.
Kendra: Time for a side note – with it being summer, I’d love to know your go-to summer anthem? Like what song must you listen to when the weather is perfect and the sun is out?
Diamant-B: I listen to everything and everyone. It depends on my mood. I mean, as a musician I need to be open to everything because inspiration comes from the most unusual places. At the moment though, I will say my EP ‘Chicken X Champagne’ is the one to bang for the summer. I think the whole E.P is summer anthem worthy.
Kendra: Lastly, what are your plans moving forward? Is there a possible tour in the works?
Diamant-B: Yes there are a couple of shows lined up. Just performed at a first-of-its-kind festival called Powwa Festival. My team and I are in talks with a few event organizers so it just might be a busy summer. No dates yet but stay tuned and we will keep you posted.
