Nigerian born emcee Namebe Soul just released his debut project “Souvenirs” but the journey to get there wasn’t easy. Dealing with health problems growing up, Soul is here and ready to start a movement. I had the chance to sit down and talk with NameBe Soul and I was blessed enough to have him really open up to us. Take a read and check out NameBe Soul’s “Souvenirs” HERE.
Dead End Hip Hop: For those who don’t know who is NameBe Soul?
NameBe Soul: I’m a rapper from the UK born and raised in Nigeria before moving out to the UK at the age of 10. I’m currently headed to my second year of university studying economics.
DEHH: What’s your story? How did you get into hip-hop? How did you go from fan of hip-hop to creator?
NameBe Soul: Well I been held back for a few reasons in life mainly health I have a blood disorder so this pulled me back a bit. This occurred mostly during my educative years. I’ve been a fan of soulful music since a boy. I was surrounded by afro soul, even my uncle was in a band. I lived not too far from Felas place in Lagos. It was in the UK I fully connected with hip hop. I was always into poetry as well. I would vent away my health situations and other things through it. Kanye west helped me make that jump from fan to writer even though I struggled to spit at the early stage cuz it was just so difficult to me. But I studied the craft with Scott Xylo when we were in a group and kept building till today.
DEHH: Let’s jump in, you just dropped your EP “Souvenirs” what was the motivation behind that?
NameBe Soul: Went to my first work meeting and thought this can’t be life. I have to build I have to create more for myself. Studied my craft further and went to work.
DEHH: I actually love the name “Souvenirs” because it fits the tone of the EP, every song is different, with a different, seemingly a different motivation and energy. What was the process of creating this record like?
NameBe Soul: Yeah yeah yeah, that’s great that’s the feel that I intended. Most of it was done in my room. I don’t live in London so for some of the features I literally travelled with my mic stand and equipment in hand. I would go directly to the artist and get what I had to do done. It was a very ordinary but adventurous process. I met dope dope people.
DEHH: What do you want people to walk away with when they’re done listening to “Souvenirs”?
NameBe Soul: So far people have been telling me it makes them psyched, inspired, and enlightened. Honestly I can’t ask for more. This was the goal. It honestly moves me at the thought of it knowing where I started. Yeah man. Blessings
DEHH: Tell me about some of the names on the record?
NameBe Soul: The names were part of good conversations. They all have meaning, I made up some of them with my boys. Shout out to Dips, Kwame, Scott and Aaron. Midnight me and maya just reflects me and my thoughts one cold evening. Just taking in what I was noticing about life at that moment. Eternal Beams was just pure. The people I wrote it about who left the earths presence, it’s about them. They were to me our eternal beams with how they loved and lived. FELA Ahaha we were just having fun listening to Fela Kuti and samples that day and the producer called it that. It caught on. Cautionary tale. That’s a warning really aha. The other names were more straightforward.
DEHH: Now I’m really curious about the UK scene, what is hip-hop like out there and what is the audience like? Where do you fit in the UK movement?
NameBe Soul: Hip hop is coming up man. I know a few beasts and heavyweights it’s just a matter of time before they take over the world really. I see a Chicago type thing happening there. Like I say I’m not from London but I try to be heavily associated. I want to be part of the revolution. There’s a lot of other stuff going on here especially with the grime movement but I’m aligned with the soul and Hip hop until our time comes.
DEHH: What’s next for Namebe Soul will we see you on tour? When will we get a full-length from you?
NameBe Soul: I’m gonna head down to London soon and get some shows in, just gonna build my fan base and keep connecting with people. Keep building and then when I feel things are ready I’ll start work on a full length. In my mind right now I’m a brand new artist. I have a long way to go but I’m very much excited.