I first met Eli Fola at the Open Canvas event series at AP Cafe in July of 2018. Seeing him in his full Yoruba regalia, he reminded me of home (Nigeria) and I immediately introduced myself. I wasn’t sure what his music would be like, but as soon as he began his performance, myself and the entire audience had been captivated by his sound. The way he fused electronic music so beautifully with afrobeat, was unlike anything I’d heard before. Also, his use of the talking drum brought up such fond memories of being a kid in Lagos and hearing that instrument being played at festive ceremonies.
Since then, we’ve formed a very supportive friendship and I’ve made an effort to catch some of his performances around New York City (he has so many!). He is a hard worker, one who is very intentional about his sound and it shows in his work. Although he’s performed alongside many acclaimed artists, he maintains his originality and sense of self. Last December, he performed at the Dean Collection show in NY, the No Commission in Miami for Art Basel, among many others.
Earlier this year he released a visual narrative for his song titled Royalty, of which Crwn Magazine, Okay Africa and other cultural platforms featured as a must see!
Eli Fola is fusing sounds for those of us who can rhythmically sway our hips to the sound of WizKid, just as easily as we can dance off beat in a rave in Berlin. He’s showing that music really is universal and that seemingly disparate sounds can be put together to create something new and beautiful.
This man is on a mission! He is definitely one to know and I look forward to all of his future endeavors.
His new single titled “Living on the Edge” is now available on all streaming platforms.
I asked @elifola_ 10 questions, check out his answers below:
As creator of the genre #YorubaTechSoul, what’s your relationship with electronic music and what was the first tech song you remember hearing?
EF: The Tech in Yoruba Tech Soul to me signifies ideas and innovation in my artistic pursuit. When I think of tech, I think of advancement and inventions that have really pushed the boundaries of how we see or experience the world we are living in as humans. The first time I experienced house music and techno, It was like a spiritual awakening and I felt like I had just experienced the greatest invention in the world of music. I can't really remember the first song, because my first experience with the music was a DJ Set by Osunlade.
What part of Nigeria did you grow up and what’s one thing you miss most about it?
EF: I was born in Lagos, I lived there for the first 19 years of my life before I moved to New York. One thing I miss about living in Nigeria is the people. Despite the condition of the country, Nigerians are the most optimistic people on earth.
Describe NY in 3 words?
EF: Fast, Opportunties, Capitalism
Favorite song at the moment?
EF: The song I am feeling at the moment is a track by a DJ duo from Moscow known as Volen Sentir, the track is Fatoumata.
Who is one artist, dead or alive, that you’d love(d) to work with and why?
EF: I would have loved to collaborate with Jean-Michel Basquiat if he was still alive. I love how abstract his work is but at the same time makes perfect sense.
Best Nigerian restaurant you’ve been to in NY?
EF: I wouldn't say best haha, maybe because I eat that type of food almost everyday. I love Amarachi Prime and Buka both in Brooklyn.
What’s your zodiac sign and what’s your fav thing about being that sign?
EF: I am a Scorpio, but honestly I am not big on zodiac signs, so I can't specifically say what I love about it because I believe all Scorpios in the world can't be the same.
Describe 8 year old Eli, and what would he think about the person you are today?
EF: 8 year old me was just really curious about the world and also excited about music. I believe he would think I am still on the right track.
As an African, I know that our surnames hold a lot of weight. What is the meaning of your last name and how has it played a part in your sense of identity?
EF: My last name is Afolabi, Fola is a short version of that. It means born with wealth in Yoruba, though that wasn't the case with my family haha. We weren't wealthy but we are a very happy family. So I guess it's just a state of the mind, what you consider wealth can be a personal thing.
What advice do you have for our millennial generation?
EF: My Advice for the millennial generation would be that we should focus more on things that really matter in the real world, and not to be too distracted by social media, although it can be a great tool if we know how to navigate it well for the greater good.
Photography + Words by Ai-Creo