We had a quick catch-up with Chiedu Oraka to chat about his latest release and what he’s been up to…
JSF: Hello mate, it been a while since you were down in Hastings repping the JSF at Fat Tuesday Festival, that last show was wild! I love to see you’re still relentless and the quantity and quality of your material is there for all to see. I know how hard you work and it looks like it’s paying off. How have the past few years been for you in terms of your career?
Chiedu: There have been a few lows but mostly highs. I am nowhere near where I want to be but the progression over these last 4 years has been great. I am someone who understands that my journey might take longer than other artists but I will get to my destination in the end. I’ve had a label experience, I’ve been on tour around the UK, I’ve had tracks playlisted on national radio, I’ve performed at some of the UK’s most recognised festivals, millions of streams on Spotify alone, supported some of the biggest UK artists and brought some real grime legends to Hull for my events. It’s not been bad but there is plenty more to go.
JSF: The new single, Trials and Tribulations of C.E.O aside from being a slightly different vibe from more recent releases is a powerful introspective into your life, what was the catalyst for making this and choosing now to put it out? Can you give us a little bit of your backstory?
Chiedu: I just thought to myself that I needed to let the people into some of the most personal chapters of my story. All the artists I look up to have been vulnerable in their music. So I wanted my supporters to feel like they know me a bit more. I have never really opened up on some of the subjects I talk about in this track. So I thought there is no better therapy than music. The feedback has been unbelievable and the video is the best visual I think i have done. I made the track two and half years ago so it was crazy to see how far I have come lyrically. People are saying it’s lyrically the best I have been but they haven’t heard nothing yet.
JSF: I bet you can’t wait to get out and play some shows, have you got anything cooking for when the time comes? You guys up in Hull always do it well and there is a cracking music scene that we’ve been lucky to be a part of in the past, I think the first time I saw you was at the Adelphi as part of 53degrees North. I saw that Humber Street Sesh is happening this year at some point all being well, are you likely to play if so ?- that show you did on the main stage with Life a few years back was epic! Any artists coming out of the area that we should keep an eye on?
Chiedu: Expect loads of music, at least 2 EPs. I have recorded so much music I’ve probably got too much music for this year. I probably won’t get to release everything but it’s always good to have options. I am gagging to perform live so if the team at Humber street sesh wants me to perform I am definitely up for that. Yes my boy’s LIFE, love them guys to bits, proper Hull legends. Yes, that was a real highlight when they brought me out on their headline performance. That same year they brought me out at Leeds Festival too.
Artists to watch out for: Deezkid (Obviously), Majick, Phelix, and FOS
JSF: How have the restrictions of the past year hampered the progress of you and your peers and how do see yourself and others coming out the other side?
Chiedu: Corona and lockdown was madness at first I can’t lie. But after about two weeks I just got my head down and started planning for 2021. Let’s not forget I released 4 singles in 2020 so I never really stopped. Whilst a lot of artists stopped releasing it was imperative for me to keep going. The only thing that changed for me was the live shows which did cripple my mentality but I was able to write a lot and record a load of demos. I think me and the team will flourish when we come out. We have been working relentlessly in the studio. So we feel we are one step ahead of a lot of our peers.
