GET TO KNOW: ADIV
Over the last year or two, whilst building our platform, we’ve come across a lot of talented artists covering some of our favourite genres: Neo-Soul, Lo-Fi and RnB.
These artists have become some of our go to’s and have featured on multiple We Are Soul playlists. However, it’s not everyday that we come across an artist as talented, raw and as open as ADIV. The LA based Alternative RnB singer/songwriter/producer spent a virtual evening with us talking all things new album, his journey and what’s next in 2021.
Prior to becoming an artist and releasing his first single, ‘Nothing Dies’ in June 2020, ADIV had been writing songs for 15 years for other successful artists such as: Shaun Ross, Bosco, Britney Spears and August Alsina. Since then, our ears have been blessed with ‘Time’, ‘Blue Jene’, ‘Late’ and ‘The Night’!
If that wasn’t enough, ADIV has dropped music videos for two out of four of those tracks with aesthetics we can only describe as 'divine'. Heavily involved in the entire music process, ADIV is both sonically and aesthetically in-tune; with visuals drawing inspiration from African American, Caribbean and West African Cultures. The artist draws from personal life experiences to delve deeper into what it means to be Black living in America. Traces of this can be felt throughout his new album, ‘Life Could Be Different’.
‘The song ‘Blue Gene’ deftly addresses unspoken topics within the community, catering to a type of Black masculinity that has always existed but is often ignored. ‘Choose U’ and ‘Higher’ both incorporate speeches from congresswoman Maxine Waters and Malcolm X respectively, showcasing the validity of the Black experience, its refusal to be cowed or silenced’.
“When I announced that I was releasing music”, ADIV admits, “the people that know me were like: it’s about damn time”. A songwriter by trade and an artist at heart, the moment for ADIV to share the full spectrum of his talent with the world has finally arrived’.
The entire album is a blend of Lo-Fi and RnB; closing with ‘Home’, a folk/country infused ballad. The entire project exudes endless good vibes and can be compared to what we describe as “driving down the highway with the top down during a sunset”. We’re excited to see what comes from ADIV in the second half of 2021 but we can predict more great music for all RnB, Lo-Fi or Alternative Rock lovers! Since its release, we’ve had the album on repeat and have narrowed the ten-track album down (with a lot of difficulty) to our top three tracks.
1. HOLD BACK
If we could describe We Are Soul in a few songs, ‘Hold Back’ would be one of them! With it’s slow bop inducing beat, the vibes on this track are immaculate. Influences: Soul and RnB.
2. TIME
This song is so good we wish it was longer. The track gives us heavy interlude vibes; a breath of fresh air! Influences: Lo-Fi and RnB
3. BLUE GENE
Heavy on the RnB, Blue Gene gives us all the feels. The track and its visuals fulfil all our sonic and aesthetic needs; adding it to our top three list was a no brainer! Influences: Alternative RnB
ADIV Music Videos You Need to See:
‘Blue Gene’
ADIV’s visual diaries pay homage to his all-American-Nigerian identity. His music videos like; Blue Gene's are a slick, cosmic fusion of the diaspora’s self-expression within the west. Through hair, fashion and movement, ADIV captures the complexities that arise in identity and how that operates in two different realms.
Diving a little deeper...
The conversations centred on Black Hair are endless as it constantly shifts and takes on a new form. But through self-acceptance, the Black Hair narrative is taking centre stage as Black People take control of the story. During the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Pride transcended and flourished as it exhibited similar images to the Black Panther Movement. In the early 2010s, Black Women birthed the natural hair movement within the YouTube sphere, building communities through tutorials and product reviews. Within the Continent, countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo responded to COVID-19 by embracing traditional hairstyles; shying away from dry hair products.
Artists such as ADIV himself, Solange and Sampa the Great produce visuals of nostalgia for Blackness that are celebrated and echo its beauty for all to see. The women (in traditional hairstyles) in the Blue Gene's video are soft and gentle busking in Black Femininity Galore.
‘Late’
Black Gentleness continues to shine through ADIV's Late. Starring Broderick Hunter and the gorgeous Mariama Diallo, Late is a love letter to Black Love as the video explores companionship and the joys of being engulfed in a lover's presence. The mastermind behind it all is no other than Breyona Holt. The multifaceted visionary enhances each of ADIV's storytelling; Holt compliments ADIV's aesthetics, matching his sweet-honey kissed tones. As the audio is pleasant to the ear, the same has been done with the eye.
CREDITS:
Interviewed and Written by - Itunu Para-Mallam
Video Edit by - Amoah Media
Photography by - Haley Ringo
GET TO KNOW: ADIV
Over the last year or two, whilst building our platform, we’ve come across a lot of talented artists covering some of our favourite genres: Neo-Soul, Lo-Fi and RnB.
These artists have become some of our go to’s and have featured on multiple We Are Soul playlists. However, it’s not everyday that we come across an artist as talented, raw and as open as ADIV. The LA based Alternative RnB singer/songwriter/producer spent a virtual evening with us talking all things new album, his journey and what’s next in 2021.
Prior to becoming an artist and releasing his first single, ‘Nothing Dies’ in June 2020, ADIV had been writing songs for 15 years for other successful artists such as: Shaun Ross, Bosco, Britney Spears and August Alsina. Since then, our ears have been blessed with ‘Time’, ‘Blue Jene’, ‘Late’ and ‘The Night’!
If that wasn’t enough, ADIV has dropped music videos for two out of four of those tracks with aesthetics we can only describe as 'divine'. Heavily involved in the entire music process, ADIV is both sonically and aesthetically in-tune; with visuals drawing inspiration from African American, Caribbean and West African Cultures. The artist draws from personal life experiences to delve deeper into what it means to be Black living in America. Traces of this can be felt throughout his new album, ‘Life Could Be Different’.
‘The song ‘Blue Gene’ deftly addresses unspoken topics within the community, catering to a type of Black masculinity that has always existed but is often ignored. ‘Choose U’ and ‘Higher’ both incorporate speeches from congresswoman Maxine Waters and Malcolm X respectively, showcasing the validity of the Black experience, its refusal to be cowed or silenced’.
“When I announced that I was releasing music”, ADIV admits, “the people that know me were like: it’s about damn time”. A songwriter by trade and an artist at heart, the moment for ADIV to share the full spectrum of his talent with the world has finally arrived’.
The entire album is a blend of Lo-Fi and RnB; closing with ‘Home’, a folk/country infused ballad. The entire project exudes endless good vibes and can be compared to what we describe as “driving down the highway with the top down during a sunset”. We’re excited to see what comes from ADIV in the second half of 2021 but we can predict more great music for all RnB, Lo-Fi or Alternative Rock lovers! Since its release, we’ve had the album on repeat and have narrowed the ten-track album down (with a lot of difficulty) to our top three tracks.
1. HOLD BACK
If we could describe We Are Soul in a few songs, ‘Hold Back’ would be one of them! With it’s slow bop inducing beat, the vibes on this track are immaculate. Influences: Soul and RnB.
2. TIME
This song is so good we wish it was longer. The track gives us heavy interlude vibes; a breath of fresh air! Influences: Lo-Fi and RnB
3. BLUE GENE
Heavy on the RnB, Blue Gene gives us all the feels. The track and its visuals fulfil all our sonic and aesthetic needs; adding it to our top three list was a no brainer! Influences: Alternative RnB
ADIV Music Videos You Need to See:
‘Blue Gene’
ADIV’s visual diaries pay homage to his all-American-Nigerian identity. His music videos like; Blue Gene's are a slick, cosmic fusion of the diaspora’s self-expression within the west. Through hair, fashion and movement, ADIV captures the complexities that arise in identity and how that operates in two different realms.
Diving a little deeper...
The conversations centred on Black Hair are endless as it constantly shifts and takes on a new form. But through self-acceptance, the Black Hair narrative is taking centre stage as Black People take control of the story. During the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Pride transcended and flourished as it exhibited similar images to the Black Panther Movement. In the early 2010s, Black Women birthed the natural hair movement within the YouTube sphere, building communities through tutorials and product reviews. Within the Continent, countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo responded to COVID-19 by embracing traditional hairstyles; shying away from dry hair products.
Artists such as ADIV himself, Solange and Sampa the Great produce visuals of nostalgia for Blackness that are celebrated and echo its beauty for all to see. The women (in traditional hairstyles) in the Blue Gene's video are soft and gentle busking in Black Femininity Galore.
‘Late’
Black Gentleness continues to shine through ADIV's Late. Starring Broderick Hunter and the gorgeous Mariama Diallo, Late is a love letter to Black Love as the video explores companionship and the joys of being engulfed in a lover's presence. The mastermind behind it all is no other than Breyona Holt. The multifaceted visionary enhances each of ADIV's storytelling; Holt compliments ADIV's aesthetics, matching his sweet-honey kissed tones. As the audio is pleasant to the ear, the same has been done with the eye.
CREDITS:
Interviewed and Written by - Itunu Para-Mallam
Video Edit by - Amoah Media
Photography by - Haley Ringo