TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is ClayRocksU, I’m an alternative / Afro rock artiste based in Lagos, Nigeria. I’m from Imo state, I play the guitar & ukulele. Lead singer of rock band, Clay & the Misfits.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR CRAFT?
Since I was a child. I’ve been singing & writing songs. When I was 17, went to the studio with a friend, entered the recording booth for the first time and the rest is history.
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?
None
DESCRIBE MUSIC & WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SOUNDS?
Music is literally my life. Nothing more important to me other than my family.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TOOLS, PLATFORMS?
Tiktok.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR SOCIETY AFFECTS YOUR INDUSTRY?
Nigeria is still a fairly sexist country, this heavily reflects in the music industry. While male counterparts are usually assessed by Mostly just talent, women are not. I’ve heard people in the industry say, they don’t want to work or manage women because women are temperamental or can’t hold a career long enough. For every 15 successful male musician, there’s just one female.
DO YOU FEEL THERE’S A GOOD SUPPORT ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN INSTRUMENTALISTS?
Speaking for instrumentalists I work with, managing a group of people to a certain goal isn’t the easiest thing in the world but if there’s mutual respect and love for the craft, that will certainly buffer the differences and misunderstanding. The instrumentalists who play in my band (The Misfits) are all awesome.
MOST CLICHE THING YOU’VE COME ACROSS IN YOUR FIELD?
Interviews. A lot of them ask the same questions. I’m particularly tired of this one ‘where do you see your self in the next five years’ lol. Secondly, people say ‘is rock music not devil music?’ Etc
MOST REWARDING PART OF WHAT YOU DO?
Playing live & watching the audience vibe. Also, getting ‘testimonies/reviews’ on how my music have helped people get through difficult times at some point in their lives.
ONE THING YOU HOPE TO IMPROVE ON IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
A bit more diversity. Platforms, radio stations, media that support other types of genres. That’ll be cool to see.
