‘My music compares with Asa or Sade’ Exclusive Interview with Award Winning Indie Singer-Songwriter Àrèmúorin – Anthony Everest!

Meet Anthony Everest, a writer, musician and producer from London. Born and raised; partly in Nigeria to Nigerian parents and record as ‘Anthony Everest‘. During our exclusive interview with him, he opened up about being an artist in this era of Afrobeats, why he enjoys singing and some of his favourties artists of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GCZybzSJGw

Hi Anthony, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am Àrèmúorin – Anthony Everest. An Afro-Brit. I describe myself as an Anglo-Nigerian. Lived in Nigeria for 14 years. I record as Anthony Everest; in London, where I was born and work as a humanitarian writer as Àrèmúorin.

Some artists get funny when they find out I am multifaceted, so I don’t mix both.

When did you actually found out that you can sing?

Music has supernaturally saved my life beyond miracles; so it’s hard to let go. I started in church very young and in high school. It’s second nature to me. Have won awards in LA and in UK for my original work(s).

Music and writing has helped me deal with adversity ruthlessly. Narcolepsy and Cataplexy has been a difficult experience for me to live with, but my creativity gives me purpose, drive, healing, ambition, direction; and suddenly, life has a new meaning to me. One being an Inspiration and the other to Give BACK.

Podium Magazine once said :-

“Anthony is a dynamic performer whose sound is characterized by a hybrid of jazz vocals, blues beats and scatological rifts, indeed a soul singer with an acoustic twist” –

(Podium Magazine Review).

Can you tell us a little more about your family and where you grew up?

Have a big family with extended branches. My immediate siblings are all creative’s. On my mum’s side, two of us are in the music business as artistes and the other two in fashion. You may have heard of Asakeoge. She is my baby sister. So proud. Right to brag lol.

Who are your targeted audience and fans?

Gosh. I keep flipping on myself. The model for music changes so often. So I am just as almost lost here to be honest. Here is the thing.

My demographics on paper are 70% men believe it or not, while the core of them are 18 – 24. I love sharing the gospel of Jesus with them within my art. In fact most of my social media followers are Muslims. Stranger than fiction.

Most of them are in Europe. My hope is to connect with my roots, back home, fully but there’s a lot of waking up, and work to do.

We have cultures and religions to combat with when professionals are trying to their jobs. I feel we need to separate these and leave the professionals to do their jobs.

The gospel of Jesus is love your neighbour as yourself

We know you as a R&B, Soul and Jazz music singer, Any other talents we don’t know about?

I write a blog called MercyfulGrace, love baking, playing the piano, written hundreds of songs and love travelling. I can’t stop singing or writing from a place of love.

MercyfulGrace started as a personal diary. Then a hobby. Now my life, heart and soul.

Have interviewed amazing people like Macy Gray, Beverley Knight, Tyrese, Carleen Anderson (James Brown’s God Daughter), Hugh Grant and etc.

You are no doubt different from the classic R&B and pop sound style and is said to be refreshingly different, is this your chosen?

I like to go the opposite way instinctively. Can’t stand fake people, copy cats and saboteurs, but my style evolved from a tragic incident a decade ago.

I ripped my throat due to incorrect use of my voice during rehearsals at home. Nearly lost it all. My voice was always big but I over did it back then.

Had to re-train properly and pick up the piano to support it, hence why my style changed drastically from the classic sounds.

I’ve influenced many singers of my generation stylistically all the way to Hollywood. Even in my music school, some classmates asked the tutors if they should sing like me and tutor said yes.

I was known as a great songwriter than a singer after my recovery. It shaped my sound since I could not sing for nearly half a decade because of my vocal injury.

How many tracks and EP have you released till date?

Four Eps and a new one coming this summer. A compilation of my favourite songs from all of them with a few twists and surprises. I think I want to try some gospel too. Always done gospel live, but none recorded.

Do you like African music? If so who are your 3 favourite singers?

I do, and start my shows with them. I love African gospel and African folk songs. May favourite African acts will be

• 1. Asa (as I get compared to her)
• 2. P Square
• 3. Ebenezer Obey

African musicians are making waves with Afrobeats in this day and age, have you ever considered Afrobeats?

Yes, and we are working on it. The idea is to find the right team, angle and collaborations. I told my publicist recently I would love to work with Don Jazzy.

I think he is magic and pure gold. His artiste Dr Sid is an old friend. We met a few times in London. These things are right timings and prayers I believe.

How about a collaboration with Afrobeats popular singers such as Wizkid and Davido?

A collab with Wizkid or Davido will be really dope. To weave my sound with theirs will be epic, avant-garde and really forward thinking. I sing in Yoruba fluently; so I don’t see a problem there. I am down with that. It’s all about the music. Wizkid worked recently with Skepta who’s a family friend.

How about collaboration with International singers?

Mariah Carey. She is fire. And I could learn a lot from her. Songwriting maestro and whistle queen. Maybe Chris Brown or Jason Derulo, cuz they can dance and sing.

I’ll sing and/or write with them whilst learning a few new moves from those bad asses on the dance floor. Love them both.

Oh Aretha Franklin would be God sent. Queen of soul. I adore her. I love her sass and soul. She is in a class of her own, to be honest. She slays everyone on stage. I will be glad and honoured to write for her.

Who are they musicians and songwriters who motivates you in the music world and why?

Mariah Carey. Great writer and everlasting phenomenal legend. Carol King, Diane Warren, Burt Bacharach and Babyface. All legends too. These guys know their music and the proof is in their longevity. That’s inspiration and plenty motivation.

Name 3 popular singers you will love to write a song for or collaborate with in the nearest future?

• Aretha Franklin
• Mariah Carey
• Monica

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

Release my new compilation Album and do some more A-list interviews at MercyfulGrace. Maybe a book too. Who knows. Love to interview Oprah one day or Obama. They are my all time great inspirations too.

Finally, you are known for great vocals, tremendous gift and skill, where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Happy, Blessed and in God’s hands.

Interviewed by: Noellin Imoh-Griffiths