Nigerian singer and music producer, Pheelz, says his primary focus is to build a musical catalogue that will endure beyond his lifetime rather than chase hit songs.
Pheelz made this known while speaking about his career, creative process, fame and recently released album, A Rii Set, in an interview.
According to him, the album represents a period of freedom, creative renewal and a return to the fundamentals of music.
“Freedom inspired the title. That is what it represents. What inspired the title was the need for a reset; the need to go back to the music, go back to what truly matters, fall in love with the craft again and create freely. It’s a reset,” he said.
The project features notable artistes including Tiwa Savage, Young Jonn and Flavour, with Pheelz describing the collaborations as a “beautiful experience.”
He said his approach to music was driven by the desire to create rather than measure success by commercial returns.
“I don’t make music for the hits. I am building an incredible catalogue musically because, at the end of the day, I believe I will live forever through my music, and that’s the most important thing for me right now,” he stressed.
He added that while hit songs would come “by the grace of God”, his priority remains creating music that would stand the test of time.
Pheelz also described his journey from producer to recording artiste as an evolution rather than a transition, saying he had always considered himself an artiste.
“I really don’t see it as a transition from a producer to an artiste because I have always been an artiste,” he said.
The producer said his upbringing played a major role in shaping his career, noting that he grew up in a music-oriented environment, played in church and served as a choir master.
He also recalled that he began making hits at the age of 16 and had spent much of his career learning to navigate the changing music industry.
According to him, working with artistes and witnessing the global growth of Afrobeats had helped him understand both the creative and business sides of the industry.
Pheelz said he was grateful for his experience with Olamide and the YBNL family, describing the period as one that taught him that “change is constant.”
On his recent performance at Blast Fest, where he performed without a live band, Pheelz said he was experimenting with a new approach that allowed him to function as a “one-man band.”
He said the performance was designed to test the concept of recreating his music from scratch on stage and that it received an encouraging response.
Pheelz further described live performances as an opportunity to reinterpret familiar songs and give audiences a fresh experience.
On fame, the singer said he considered public recognition a blessing, although he acknowledged that the attention could sometimes become overwhelming.
“It’s not a problem for me to be famous. I love being famous. I love my fans. It’s a blessing,” he said.
Asked what he was still trying to prove to himself, Pheelz said he wanted to affirm his belief in his own abilities and in God.
“That I am a genius, and God is with me. That everything is possible if I believe,” he said.
