Welcome to ‘The 12’, our short interview column where we speak to cool people doing cool shit. From their creative process to things they get up to in their spare time, we’re getting to know these individuals with 12 questions. Check back here every Thursday for a new interview.
If there’s one thing SGaWD isn’t afraid to do it’s talk her shit. From Rap to RnB, SGaWD delivers her own unique perspective on tracks, letting her vulnerability and slick bars lead the way. After getting a degree in Marine Biology and Law at the University of Miami, she moved back to Nigeria to complete her NYSC – Nigeria’s mandatory youth service programme.
It was back home during this time that she began to pursue her passion for making music- both as a song-writer and rapper. She’s confident and she knows it, drawing inspiration from hip-hop queens like Lil Kim and Foxy Brown who don’t shy away from letting the world know who they are on their songs.
In her visual debut this year in Feel Right, we watch a lyrically honest SGaWD cruise through a story of young love in an Old Nollywood-esque video.
For ‘The 12’, FEMME MAG spoke with SGaWD about her earliest music-related memory, what a perfect night in looks like for her and what she wants people to be doing when they listen to her music.
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Hey SGaWD! Thank you for joining us on our new column, The 12!! Let’s get started off with some music. What’s your earliest music-related memory?
Hey!! Thank you for having me. My earliest music-related memory is Amanda by Don Williams. I’m pretty sure I picked this up as early as 6 months ’cause my ears picked it up at an airport in Geneva one time and when I shared the story with my mum, she said she used to sing it to me to help me fall asleep or stop crying. I connected immediately to the song when I heard it – it just felt so familiar and now I know why!
Wow, that’s crazy! How would you describe your personal aesthetic?
I actually don’t know tbh. But if I had to describe it it’s me just killing shit while looking fly af.
What are some misconceptions that people have of you, based on your music?
Lmaoo I swear that’s none of my business. I actually never cared to ask or notice. Everything I have seen about me based on my music is very true! I don’t think I leave any gaps for misinterpretation.
Top 5 Rap Albums of all time?
Long. Live. Asap – A$AP Rocky, Queen– Nicki Minaj, Period – City Girls , Squidtastic-SahBabii and The Notorious Kim – Lil Kim.
Solid selection. What are some of the hardest things about working in the Nigerian Music industry?
People be fake performative about everything- from collaborations to inclusion. Access doesn’t mean or guarantee participation. I just need people to be more intentional about their work, their words and their ethics.
A wordd. Your debut visual, Feel Right has a very old Nollywood feel. What’s your favourite old Nollywood bad bitch and why?
Regina Askia, she is the baddest please please ahhh! Have you seen her?? I also love Caroline Ekanem !! , They’re both Akwa-Ibom and Cross-Riverian baddies like me and I rep my people till I die. Na we be the blueprint. Lmaoo
Lmao, we hear that! What do you want people to be doing when they listen to your music?
I want people to do whatever they want when they listen to my music. When you’re happy, when you’re sad, intoxicated, need help sleeping, in the shower, about to get ready for a night out, club, dick appointment, when you’re at the dick appointment. The point is ANYWHERE, anytime, doing whatever you like. It’s all about you. I made it for you.
What does a perfect night in look like for you?
Cheese balls, Ouid , red wine, croaker fish, boli, indomie with Suya, non-dairy ice cream, horror movies and cool music videos or Vince staple interviews on YouTube. He has such an interesting mind. Lmaoo.
What’s something that you can’t live without right now?
Omoo my mum. She keeps me grounded. These past few years have been crazy.
& A personal philosophy that you live by is _
you are a god, made for greatness and nothing less. You should live your day knowing that every action and inaction goes towards you achieving your greatest potential. Once you recognize that the world is more than you and your sole existence is to fulfil a greater goal you’ll tap into your god potential. I don’t know if that made any sense sha but it’s what I live by.
Do you play a character when you make your music, and if you do, what do you call them? What would you tell your younger self, if you could speak to them right now?
Hahah welcome to my world! Right now you are talking to Seddy , maybe next year Ishtar or Qamar may say hi. Qamar is shy and Ishtar na a cruise babe!!
And for number 12: what would you tell your younger self, if you could speak to them right now?
We will see you!! Girl, you are beautiful, body dysmorphia is in your head. It’s okay to want a non-mediocre life and all the things you said you wouldn’t do cause you were too scared, girl you are doing them and excelling . Congrats and keep your head down and eyes sharp.
