Music has a part of me attached to it – Lindsey Abudei

Lindsey is a neo-soul singer.

Lindsey Abudei is a neo-soul singer currently based in Abuja. She started out as a professional singer about four years ago and has collaborated with MI and Jesse Jagz.

Although she is yet to release her album, Lindsey released an EP in 2013 titled Brown. According to her, after years of having to refer people to her collaborations with the Abaga brothers, MI and Jesse, she decided that it was time to present her own body of work. Songs on the EP include The Nineties Song, a piece heavily influenced by songs from the nineties, such as Aliyah’s Back and Forth.

Lindsey is signed to Stealth Entertainment. She spoke to PREMIUM TIMES about her decision to move to Lagos to further exploit her art.

PT: When did you decide that you wanted to be a singer?
Lindsey: I decided I wanted to be a professional singer when I turned 17.

PT: Have you had any professional training?
Lindsey: I have had voice lessons and have performed from when I started till now.

PT: How did the collaborations with Jesse Jagz and MI come about?
Lindsey: I met them when I had just gotten into university. We had recordings under the Loopy umbrella (MI’s record label) and had jam sessions as well in Jos.

PT: Apart from these two who else have you collaborated with?
Lindsey: I have worked with Kahli Abdu,Ese Peters and Eve Urrah.

PT: Why do you think that it has been difficult for you to break into the mainstream?
Lindsey: My genre isn’t exactly the popular genre so it usually takes a while to break in. It’s a gradual process and eventually people come around to paying a little more attention than they are used to.

PT: Do you really think moving to Lagos would help?
Lindsey: I think it would. Lagos has got more opportunities for expression/performance for my genre especially when it has to do with live music.

PT: You define your genre as neo-soul; what’s the difference between that and afrosoul?
Lindsey: Neo-soul is a mix of Soul & Contemporary R&B. It’s a less conventional sound than R&B is. Afro soul has a major Afrocentric influence.

PT: When do we expect your debut album?
Lindsey: Hopefully, early next year, 2015.

PT: Who are your musical influences?
Lindsey: Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Sade, Eva Cassidy, Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones.

PT: Apart from soul what other genre of music do you like?
Lindsey: I like almost every other genre.

PT: Do you think it is important for a musician in your genre to learn how to play a musical?
Lindsey: Well, if you’re a musician, you are assumed to know how to play at least one instrument. If you’re a singer, it isn’t compulsory but it sure helps having at least the basic knowledge of an instrument. P.S: The voice is one instrument.

PT: Which artistes did you feature on your EP?
Lindsey: I featured Ese Peters and Eve Urrah.

PT: Who would be your dream musical collaboration?
Lindsey: Angelique Kidjo would make one on my list.

PT: Where would be your dream arena to hold a concert?
Lindsey: Anywhere could make for a dream arena as long as it’s an amazing stage with great lighting and perfect sound.

PT: Why would you never give up music?
Lindsey: ‘Cause it has a part of me attached to it.