Why I took break from music after my debut album — Ayola

Afro-soul singer and songwriter, Abdullah Abubakre, popularly known as Ayola, has explained the reasons he took a break from music after his first project.

Ayola said it was to discover his artistry, purpose and satisfaction that music was truly what he desired to do.

The artiste described his three-year interregnum in his sophomore album titled, “The Life I Want” which dropped on Friday.

Sharing his experience on Friday, he said, “I took a little time off after my last project because I felt I needed to discover my artistry. The reason I’m making this needed to be beyond just my ability to do it. I felt like it should have a purpose, and convincing myself it did was the journey that took three years.
“Despite this, I was creating all along, I just wasn’t putting it out. I also went through life during those times, and I documented the feelings, which turned into what became the ‘The Life I Want’ album. The seven-track masterpiece showcases my unique sound and artistry.”

The album features tracks such as ‘Pass Me By,’ ‘Life I Want,’ ‘I Hope To Be Free,’ and ‘Actor n Boss,’. They were recorded in Canada and Nigeria, ‘The Life I Want’ blends highlife, jazz, soul, afro-funk, R&B, and motown influences.

Ayola’s rich vocal texture weaves these genres together, creating a captivating Indie, folk, and alternative Afrobeats sound that breathes new life into contemporary music.
In 2020, he made his debut with the cinematic EP ‘Scum,’ released under Soul City Music Co-op, an artist-owned label based in Windsor, Ontario. This project offered a heartfelt exploration of modern relationships, setting the stage for his first studio album, “Conversations Till Dawn” (CtillD), released the following year.