Nigerian Afro-dancehall star 1da Banton joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest single, “ILEBOGUS (feat. MASIDI).” He also discusses his EP, ‘WALK WITH ME,’ how his upbringing in Port Harcourt shaped his art, and how he manages to remain grounded. 

Here’s how the interview went down!

1da Banton Tells Apple Music How He Remains Grounded

1DA BANTON: The intentionality is a big part of it because, it’s a natural thing for me. I’ve always been laid back and humble. I’m just chilled; I like peace a lot. I’m always just chilling and making music. I really love to make music; the business aside. That’s why I learned how to produce music, because I’m always in the studio making amazing music. It makes me feel really good.

1da Banton Tells Apple Music About His Dancehall Influences

1DA BANTON: My general upbringing was reggae-influenced. In Port Harcourt, we listen to lots of reggae and dancehall music. From the likes of Shaggy, who I listened to a lot growing up, to Beenie Man, to Vybz Kartel, to real reggae like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. A whole lot of amazing reggae-dancehall music. Obviously that influenced the way I listened to and interpreted music. 

1da Banton Tells Apple Music About His Upbringing in Port Harcourt

1DA BANTON: We had really local, amazing stars in my city of Port Harcourt. Growing up I saw people who were superstars in Port Harcourt and the neighbouring environments. [They] really inspired me, because most of them were in my neighbourhood, so I saw them face-to-face. People like Timaya and a whole lot of other amazing artists. You know, Port Harcourt is really special when it comes to making unique music. I’m always proud to be a Port Harcourt boy.

1da Banton Tells Apple Music About the Cultural Relevance of the Intro to His New EP, ‘WALK WITH ME’

1DA BANTON: That’s my traditional music. I’m from the southern part of Nigeria—Rivers State. That’s my local riddim. That’s the first riddim I fell in love with. I always used to love going to watch the masquerade—a traditional festival that happens every December or January. It’s the kind of music that’s really special, because it’s homemade. It inspires my music a lot. It’s really African music. I love pure, original African sounds. 

1da Banton Tells Apple Music About His Recent Visit to His Birthplace

1DA BANTON: That’s the kind of thing I like to do on a normal day, but this time I had to document it because we need to inspire more people to do stuff like that. I’ve always heard, “Bro, you were born in [Rivers State Teaching Hospital],” and I’d never been there. I lived in Rivers State for about 20 years, growing up. I woke up one day feeling like I needed to do something different during the festive period, aside from going to the parties. I was in the mood for giving back. So I had the idea of going to where I was born.