OG EMMY ft: Naze - Black Girl Magic (Single) + 10 Questions

OG EMMY, a London based Nigerian-Ghanaian artist on the rise, is back with a new celebratory song called “Black Girl Magic” featuring fellow Nigerian artist Naze. A smooth, intimate release made for black women all around the world, “Black Girl Magic” is the go-to song for a soothing, passionate and uplifting vibe. The track highlights the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black women whilst the lyrics explore cultural pride, self confidence and breaking down societal stereotypes.

“Black Girl Magic'' is a follow up to OG EMMY’s latest EP entitled “Desire”, which emulates a similar energy and has been very well received in the UK, US, Nigeria and Ghana. Released in June, the EP is currently sitting on 100K+ streams across all platforms and it has caught the eye of various national and international music outlets such as Link Up TV, Culture Custodian, Guardian Nigeria, Album Talks, Too Exclusive and Song Tell.

“Black Girl Magic'' was produced by Ghana-based producer VT Kingsville (NSG, Kwesi Arthur, Skiibii, and more) and is set to keep the summer going and top OG EMMY’s last year’s global success “Gbese” which was the most Shazamed song in North America and Canada in 2022.

OG Emmy sat down to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

It all started in church. I was a drummer boy when I was 15 years old. I grew up listening to a lot of music in my household, listening to a lot of Reggae, hilife, Afrobeats and hip hop. This made me love sounds, style and entertainment as a whole.

My favourites growing up were Fela, Dbanj, Chris Brown, 2pac, Jay Z and 50 Cent among others. I was highly influenced by hip hop, I wanted to be a rapper since I was 16 yrs old because of school extracurricular activities like rap battles, karaoke night and special number.

I enjoyed listening to ”Water No Get Enemy" by Fela, “African Queen" by 2face, ”Scapegoat" by DBanj, the hottest records in my city. So I wanted to be like Dbanj among others. His music took him around the world for free from Africa. I was inspired, And that’s how I’d like to think it all began really.

2. When did you make the transition from Nigeria to London and how did that impact you?

Before I got the chance to travel to the UK I already had listeners from London, Birmingham and Manchester.

In 2020-2021 I got admitted to university to further my education here in London. I got here and played my songs for my friends and they all loved it. Every uni function they made me perform my single “Kitkat”, it was quite easy for them to relate and sing. This made me believe I could achieve my dreams. If they can sing “Kitkat” word for word I decided to give them more bangers like “Gbese” and now “Black Girl Magic”.

3. You have been very active since you moved to the UK. You’ve already encountered huge success with your song “Gbese” which was the most shazamed Afrobeats song in the US and Canada in 2022, your recent EP “Desire” is doing really well and now you’re following up with an infectious single called “Black Girl Magic”. Can you talk a bit about that?

Since my first single “Kitkat” I have managed to build a fan base here in the UK. Mostly in universities because I studied at Brunel University in London. I got to share my music with friends and DJ’s at all the musical events, I met a lot of show promoters and I opened up for top Afrobeat artists like Mayorkun, Gayo Menor and Bella Shmurda among others.

I did a lot of free shows just to showcase my talent and connect with people. I made “Gbese” in my uni accommodation in 2021. It was intentional, my plan was to dominate the UK Afrobeats scene with the sound and style of my music. After the release of “Gbese” I got calls from club promoters in the UK and outside the EU because the song was doing well in the club and radio. “Gbese” gave me the boost and energy I was looking for and it was one of the most Shazamed afrobeats songs in Buffalo, Australia , and some parts of Canada in 2022.

Then “Desire" is my second EP. It consists of 7 songs and it has over 200,000 streams across all streaming platforms. It got massive airplay across most African countries like Nigeria ,Ghana, Kenya etc.

“Black Girl Magic” is an introduction to a new level, my debut album “Hot Boy”. I made this record in Lagos, Nigeria during my Christmas holiday. I linked up with my producer VT and made this masterpiece alongside Naze. This record is a proper Afrobeats song that highlights the strength, resilience and beauty of Black women. I'm sure we made magic.

4. What can you tell me about “Black Girl Magic”? What’s the story behind it and what inspired you to make this song?

After creating “Desire” I couldn’t stop creating more captivating and conscious music. “Black Girl Magic” is an empowering and celebratory song that highlights the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black women. This is the first song off my debut album 'Hot Boy.' I'm here to take Afrobeats to the next level, so I start by embracing my own, my skin, my pride.

5. And what inspires your sound?

First of all, I'm African. I grew up in a household where my parents listened to Afrobeats, Reggae, and Hilife. However, I fell in love with hip hop more because of the swag and the different beats, mostly the bass. I had to fuse hip hop and Afrobeats. That’s how I came up with my Afro Swing sound, it’s a combination of hip hop and Afrobeats.

6. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I would love to work with Chris Brown, Burna Boy, Beyonce, Wizkid, Davido, Stormzy, DJ Khaled. I am influenced by Chris Brown and Wizkid.

7. What other projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I’m currently working on my debut album entitled “Hot Boy” and I have just shot 2 new videos which are coming soon. Also, I have got merchandise coming soon and new collaborations on my new album. I host events like Xposure and Summerville, I just did Summerville in London and now we are going to Ghana, Nigeria and the US in December.

8. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

My proudest moment as an artist was in Ghana. I performed at the MTN Pulse show headlined by Sarkodie in 2018 which was over 10K capacity.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I love playing video games, watching TV shows and spending time with my family when I’m not making music.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Three things I can’t live without in the studio are water, my phone and internet.