Nigerian Artist-Josiah Bassey

In this interview with ElewaTv Josiah talks about his recent Grammy nomination, his upcoming single, and how his Christian background inspired much of his success. Hold Us Together was written by H.E.R & Josiah and produced by D’Mile who’s known for working with artists like Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson & many more. The 23-year-old’s song was also featured on the Disney+ movie Safety and part of a music video released by H.E.R & Tauren Wells back in 2021. In our interview on 12/5, Josiah mentioned “A song is a song, if it’s good it’s good. Regardless of the genre it’s good music”. As always quality beats quantity every time. As a multi-talented artist, Josiah proves that anything is possible if you have a dream and work towards it. Moving from Nigeria to New York in 2016 to pursue his dreams in music Josiah has been able to connect with other talented artists across the city and appear on projects like Tone Smith’s album FWM, Austin, Turn Around, and so much more. 

As you read check out more of Josiah’s work here on Spotify & Instagram

BA: Please Introduce yourself

JB: I’m Josiah Bassey, artist, songwriter, producer. I prefer artists since it covers everything.

BA: How would you describe yourself as an artist? Do you like genres? How do you categorize the music you make?

JB: I have nothing against genres, but it can be limiting. I think I combine multiple genres because it’s all the things that have influenced me since I’ve grown up. Everything coming together makes a more meaningful song. A song is a song. If it's good it’s good. Regardless of the genre, it’s good music, that’s my take on genres. If I had to put myself in a genre, it would probably be a mix of R&B, Afro-Pop & Afro beats.

BA: Sometimes artists, especially Black artists, get pigeonholed into this box. When they’re in the industry, people want to put them in this box, and it’s nice to see artists saying or even doing music where they incorporate or show that range. There are so many things that influence you as an artist, as a musician, it’s nice to see people put that into their work and express it. I'm a huge music fan, and I love it when artists experiment with their sound.

JB:  I can tell.

BA: However, congratulations on your Grammy nominations! How does that make you feel?

JB: It's crazy since you intended to do this interview a long time ago, but I didn't have a Grammy nomination at the time. I found out about it a few days after that conversation.

BA: What was the title of the song? Or, if you produced it, how did it come about?

JB: I wrote the song, I co-wrote the song with this artist called HER.

BA: OMG I adore her! She's incredible.

JB: She’s dope. I co-wrote it with HER, I played the guitar. It’s not talked about, but I got credit for vocal productions too. It’s the song called Hold Us Together.

BA: I don't believe I'm familiar with that one.

JB:  It wasn’t made for the Disney movie, but it was put on the Disney movie soundtracked Safety. It is a Christian song. 

BA:  That is so cool. Is it the one where she did the live performance with the women in the white? I think I know that song. That song is beautiful. Wow ok! Congrats. Did you grow up in a church background? How’s that?

JB: I grew up in church. I was going to add gospel music into that mix.

BA:  Gospel music is so soulful

JB:  I grew up on a lot of different gospel artists like Kirk Franklin. It’s crazy because I am nominated in the same category as Kirk for this year.

BA: How does that feel?

JB: It feels crazy, it feels surreal. I haven't taken it in. I’m still processing it. I grew up on a lot of gospel artists, Kirk, Israel Houghton, and many more.

BA: There's a lot of artists in the music industry with a church background and seeing them channel those experiences into their work, it’s like ok, did you grow up in the church? 

BA: Do you have any new projects coming up?

JB: At the time of this recording it’s December 2021 I’m expecting to put out a single in January. I don't know the exact date yet in 2022, but God willing I'll be releasing it. 

BA: I’m looking forward to it!

JB: It’s called Soldier Man.

BA: What’s the influence behind that? Do you want to share that tea or wait until it comes out in January? 

JB: I’ll save it for January. But, just know it’s a very sweet song. A loverboy type, hopeless romantic type vibe. 

BA: I think it’s perfect because it’s winter and it’s so cold. I think I want some good cuddle music. That je ne sais quoi, it’s nice to get some of that in January. 

JB: Thank you

BA: Anything else you want to say to the people or that you’re looking forward to the next couple of months?

JB: Well I just want people to see me for me you know and see that I love music regardless of what it sounds like. Because a lot of my stuff sounds very different but it all feels good. The feeling is there which is the most part for me, so yeah that’s what I would say to people. 

BA: Quick question: do you happen to know the artist Ayotemi?

JB: who? .. no

BA: I feel like you remind me of him just a little bit. He’s a Nigerian artist from the DMV area, and he grew up in the church. His sound is somewhat similar to yours, and I thought of him when I listened to Hold Us Together.