Emerging artist Obii has been building up his career for several years now, serving as backing vocals on tour for artists Brandt Brauer Frick and Beaver Sheppard.
After releasing his first album “Black Boy Free, Vol. 1” in 2017, Obii is back for more with new single “Second Wind”.
“Second Wind” by Obii shows what he is all about with whimsical melodies and thoughtful lyrics. The Ergy produced song eases you in with smooth transitions and a gentle melody, his lyrics embodying change and reliving old memories. The groovy beat adds backbone to “Second Wind” and carries you to the end without letting up.
The addition of brass instruments gives “Second Wind” a jazz vibe, perfectly matching his tranquil voice. The echoes that follow his lyrics give an ethereal atmosphere, as he soars through his thoughts and fears.
His acceptance of change, but fear of the unknown creeps in through the verses. Obii knows he is unstoppable, but “Second Wind” shows off the vulnerable side of finding the courage to jump over the obstacles you're faced with in life. The allusions to childhood give “Second Wind” nostalgic characteristics, that can be appreciated by all. Obii has an impressive vocal range, specifically showing off his falsetto eager to stay on your mind.
To accompany “Second Wind”, a black and white music video shows Obii falling into a mundane everyday routine, looking for something more. Obii creates a reassuring and spiritual bond between him and the listener, leaving you feeling understood and peaceful.
What jump-started your creativity when writing “Second Wind”? Did you have an idea of how you wanted the production to sound before you showed “Second Wind” to your producer Ergy?
Ergy and I are two of a kind in terms of our musical taste. We may not be speaking the same language ( I speak English and he speaks French), but as far as music is concerned, we completely understand one another. I guess you could say that we speak the same musical language. As far as how "Second Wind" came about, we didn't really have an idea of what we wanted precisely, but we've been working together long enough that we trust each other's judgment; we work in an insular way and we constantly bounce off each other's ideas. When I heard the instrumental, I instantly connected to the piece, so it didn't take me long to write the melody and the lyrics. I knew I wanted to write a song about longing for a second chance in life but, as it's typical with my writing style, the lyrics are still covered by a thin cloud of pessimistic jade.
The specific emotions you embody in “Second Wind” are quite insightful and could resonate with many who are feeling lost. Who would you say your target audience was for “Second Wind” and what do you hope they take from it?
To be quite frank, when I wrote this song I was going through a very dark patch, both physically and spiritually, and I was self-medicating with a lot of drugs. One day I decided to just quit, flush my supply down the toilet, and change my own narrative. This song refers to that awakening. I was tired of my own narrative and I realized that changing is learning, to change is to be alive. I honestly don't know who my target audience could be because I don't make music to spread any special message. However, I know that hope is at the very core of our existence. Hope is the purpose, hope is meaning, so I suppose the message behind Second Wind is not to allow that hope to die, for that's when life becomes unbearable in my opinion.
Your music is quite diverse and uses many influences across genres, how would you describe your musical style in a few words for someone who has not listened to Obii before?
I would describe my musical style as eclectic, genre-bending, and, above all, emotional. My music comes from the guts, my main aim as a singer is to feel, and that's why I have an affinity to any musical style where the soul is at the core of the composition. I grew up listening to a lot of music, and I was exposed to a lot of different styles from a very young age. My father is a big music connoisseur, and his knowledge of music is so vast, I suppose it rubbed off on me. I'm mainly attracted to soulful melodies, sophisticated jazz chords, and melodic beats. I also have an honest appreciation for blues, spirituals, guitar classic rock, and hip-hop. But ultimately, whatever I listen to needs to have a huge component of emotions since that's the only way I can truly connect with the piece.
Where do you see your sound going in the future? Do you have any new projects coming up?
My sound is ever-evolving, every song I compose is different from the one before. I enjoy the musical niche that I'm creating for myself and I'm looking forward to further deepen said niche, I want it to feel as comfortable and as homely as it can possibly get. I have another single that I'm planning to release before the end of the year, after that I shall be working on a bigger musical body of work (e.g. EP or LP)
What has been keeping you inspired in 2020?
My journey to recovery has been keeping me inspired this 2020. I previously made the mistake of thinking that sobriety meant, among other things, a lack of creativity and inspiration. But now that I'm sober, I'm able to look at life from a wider point of view; anything is worth writing a song about and I found myself pleasantly surprised by that on a daily basis.