Augustine Dike, better known for his professional name ACD, is a Nigerian born afrobeat/afro-pop singer/songwriter. Formerly part of a music duo called Team D, ACD began his solo career in 2014. Since beginning his solo career, ACD has worked with a number of prominent music producers including, Popito, S'bling and Nigo Beat. As an artist, ACD believes he is not limited to one certain genre. His music remains fluid and enjoyable. ACD credits his success to his dedicated supporters and fans. Creating relatable music that includes life experiences and facts, ACD is on the rise.
Featured on his latest EP “Third-Quarter”, is the contagious track “Part of You”. ACD offers up an impressively smooth and skillful afro-pop track with this latest release “Part of You”. The seductive delicacy with which the whole thing is delivered works really well. That groove is infectiously satisfying, easy going yet quick to grab hold of you. Afrobeat and pop fans will likely take to “Part of You” in a second. The song’s sentiment is dedicated to a significant other, it celebrates love and adoration in a genuine way. The musical color and the general brightness of the entire soundscape and everything within it reflects these underlying ideas in a fitting manner. It’s a pleasure to hear a song like this come through among today’s musical landscape, you get the feeling ACD is an artist who loves to sing in this way, who loves to make music and be a part of the entertainment and escapism industry. The whole experience of “Part of You” feels like being introduced to a new and natural artist with a great ear for effective melodies, and a writing style that leads with honesty and emotion. Well worth a listen.
Check out “Part of You” here and read more below in our chat with ACD!
Tell us more about your project “Third-Quarter”? How long was this EP in the making?
The Project "Third-Quarter" is my first ever compilation project, I'm excited for it and for the positive feedback I have gotten on it so far. It took me about 5 Months to make it but I didn't release the project until after over a Year of completing all the songs on it. There wasn't any major reason for this decision, but personally, I wanted to release the project when I felt that I was ready to do so.
What do the lyrics in “Part of You” represent for you? and how did you come to write it?
The lyrics in that song "Part of You" for me was an expression of how I felt about someone particular. "Who is that someone?", you may ask. Well, She is a woman that I was in a Relationship with at the time. Believe it or not, but She was too wonderful and I believe She still is. Everything that song talked about is what She is and how I felt about Her. As soon as I heard the beat, The lyrics just came to my mind based on how I was feeling at the time, I knew I had to make that song about her. She's a Beautiful Soul and She's so amazing!
What’s the songwriting process like for you? Where do you begin, and how do you know when a song is truly finished and ready to share?
I don't consider myself to be a song writer because I don't write my songs, not on paper and not anywhere either. I compose them in my head, all of the lyrics and I store them in my head. Even when I record, I record every word of a song of memory, I don't sing from a book. I call myself a "Song/Music Composer". My process of composing songs is this way; When I listen to a beat and I think it is dope and I like it, the words/lyrics just forms itself, and all I have to do is to say them as they come to mind. Now if I think I can make any of the lyrics better I of course take my time to do my research and look for how to put something meaningful that relates to the song. I don't rush a song. Never. Music is art, it should be expressed, it should come from the heart. As with all my songs, if you listen closely, you can tell that I sing with emotion.
Was there a specific event/person in your life that made you get into music/ start recording your material?
Yes! He was the Senior Prefect of my High School, at the time. His name is "Heaven". Really, that's his actual name. There's an interesting story to it too. He also made me do my first ever performance, I didn't have any recorded material at the time so I performed live with live instruments and people loved it and sang along, it was an Amazing experience for me, I was shocked by the positive feedback I got that day. Ever since then I took Music professionally. He saw potential in me and helped me build my confidence. I am grateful to him!
What do you hope to achieve as an artist through to the end of 2019?
2019 has been a positive year for me, I'm grateful to God for that. As an upcoming independent artist like myself, I am hoping that through the end of the year I can get more exposure, more recognition and possibly a good deal that can further catapult my Music Career. I just keep working, and being hopeful and enjoy every bit of the journey to Stardom!
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