When Bori Julius speaks about music, it’s clear he sees it as more than just sound. To him, it is expression, and more importantly, storytelling that is personal to him. Since beginning his journey in 2017, the Edo-born, Lagos-bred artist has grown into a voice rooted in honesty and experimentation, drawing inspiration from legends like Fela Kuti, Michael Jackson, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. His latest single Lady pays homage to Fela’s classic of the same name, reimagined with a modern amapiano twist that feels distinctly Bori.

In this conversation with NoteSphere, he reflects on his creative process, the balance between Afrobeats and amapiano, the lessons learned along the way, and why his music always circles back to love, faith, and authenticity.

NoteS: Congratulations Bori on your new single!
Bori: Thank God, thank God, and thank you very much.

NoteS: I guess it’s been a busy set of days, huh?
Bori: Ah yes, it has been crazy, I can’t even lie, but we thank God.

NoteS: Your new single Lady pays homage to Fela Kuti’s iconic hit. How did the song come about, and how did you make it your own?
Bori: Oh yeah, the song came very easy. I was in the studio, had just finished recording a couple of songs, and I was about to leave. I had like 30 minutes left in my session. Then my producer played the beat. Funny enough, he said he wasn’t really feeling it at all, but I told him, “Make I try am now.” I hopped in the booth, and it was a one-take. Honestly, it was one of my fastest songs. We left the studio that day and started doing the finishing touches, which continued over the next couple of weeks. I listen to Fela a lot, and Lady was one of my favorites growing up. So I thought, let me at least try something inspired by it, same song title and everything, but with my own image and twist.

NoteS: Hmm, interesting. But typically, how long does it take you to record a song?
Bori: It depends on the type of song, to be honest. I usually come up with my vibe quickly, but even after I finish, I like to be a perfectionist, though I know nothing is perfect. So I take a lot of time on the audio. It could take a day, it could take a week.

NoteS: Where did you grow up in?
Bori: No, I grew up in Lagos and Ibadan actually.

NoteS: So I guess while you were growing up it was Fela you were listening to, or were there more artists that caught your ear?
Bori: I actually listened to a lot of artists. But when I first started recording, Fela became the only artist I focused on for a while. His music really influenced me.

NoteS: Yeah, I think everybody that catches on to Fela has that phase where they just get stuck on his music. I mean, he’s the godfather of Afrobeats.

NoteS: Now, your song inspired by fela  carries its own unique amapiano vibe. What’s your take on amapiano and Afrobeats? How do you choose which vibe to go with?
Bori: I try not to overthink it. I just go with whatever I’m feeling. If the producer plays something, I give it my own sound. I love amapiano, I love Afrobeats too.

NoteS: I ask because people always debate online about which is better. Some even say Nigerians do amapiano better than South Africans.
Bori: No, I don’t think Nigerians can do amapiano better than South Africans. It’s like saying foreigners can do Afrobeats better than us, it’s not possible. No matter the numbers, the sound belongs to where it started. That’s what I believe. But for me, there’s a mix of both.

NoteS: Yeah, true. I’ve also noticed in your old songs that you’ve tried different vibes. But this particular song, it’s a love song, you can tell from the lyrics. Was anyone in particular on your mind when making this song?
Bori: (Laughs) Let’s leave that off the camera. But definitely yes because for me, music is expressive. If I have something on my mind, it’s very easy to say it in front of the microphone.

NoteS: Do you always try to tell stories in your songs, or does it sometimes come randomly?
Bori: Most times I like to tell my story, how I’m feeling or what I’ve been through recently. Sometimes it just comes randomly, but even then, I end up putting a story in it. That’s my kind of music, inspirational and expressive.

NoteS: Let’s take it back a bit. You grew up in Lagos and Ibadan, right? How did your background itself influence your decision to make music?
Bori: For Ibadan I won’t say I did much of music, to be honest, it was just school. But Lagos really shaped my craft. I used to move around, go to different studios, meet different people. Those experiences helped me grow as both an artist and a person.

NoteS: Yeah, Lagos is definitely the hub for music. But do you think everyone has to come to Lagos to succeed in music?
Bori: No, I think it’s subjective. Everybody’s story and grace is different. Lagos is a big factor, yes, but it doesn’t work for everyone. I feel like a lot of artists will soon come out of London and still be popping here in Lagos. As long as you’re Nigerian and it’s rooted in your core, people will accept you. The world is too crazy now, just be where you need to be and do what you need to do.

NoteS: Aside from Fela, what other legendary artists have influenced your sound?
Bori Julius: Michael Jackson. When he died, I recognized music as an entity of its own. I also love Wizkid and Burna Boy. They’ve inspired me a lot with their sounds and lifestyles.

NoteS: You began your musical journey in 2017 with a song called Trumpets, right? But you can’t see it on streaming.
Bori: Yeah, I was trying to rebrand. I don’t even see it as rebranding, but I think I just let outsiders get into my head. So I pulled it down. But that’s a mistake I think I’ve learnt from now.

NoteS: That happens to a lot of artists. But since then you’ve done pretty well for yourself, you’ve released two EPs and many singles. Looking back since then, how do you think you’ve grown as an artist?
Bori: I’ve evolved. My sound is way different now. As a person too, I’ve grown a lot. Music has helped me find myself. Music has even brought me closer to God. There’s nothing I do without involving Him, and that started with my music.

NoteS: So should we expect more EPs or projects?
Bori: Yes, maybe not this year, but soon. Still, anything can happen. If I feel like I need to tell a story, I’ll drop something. But right now I’m just recording, finding new sounds, and pushing myself to grow.

NoteS: For new fans just getting to know you, what song would you recommend as an introduction to Bori?
Bori: I can’t pick one, because for me music is a collection of stories, so it’s hard to point to just one track. But one that’s constant is Energy because I think I said what I needed to say in that song, like looking towards the future and looking back at the past.

NoteS: What do you mean when you say “looking towards the future”?
Bori: When you listen to the lyrics, well, it’s all about keeping the same energy no matter what, whether times are good or bad, whether success changes things or not. And for me, I think I’m that kind of person. I try to stay true to myself. Who I was then is the same as who I am now, just a better version.

NoteS: What’s one thing about you that your fans might not know?
Bori: That I work harder than they think. I do a lot behind the scenes that people don’t see. I can be a perfectionist, so I often wait until things are exactly how I want them before putting them out. That waiting period might make it seem like I’m not doing anything, but I’m working.

NoteS: If listeners pay close attention to your lyrics, what’s one thing they might notice about your music?
Bori: I am metaphorical sometimes but also straightforward. But one thing they’ll notice is I always put God first. I also speak only from my own point of view and experiences. You won’t hear me talk about what I don’t know.

NoteS: Speaking of experiences and meaning, what emotional impact do you want listeners to take away from your new song?
Bori: Love. I want people to find someone they can truly be at peace with. For love, you don’t need to pretend, just be real.

NoteS: That’s a good message. We all need love.
Bori: Exactly, just a little bit of love.

NoteS: Final question, what should the world expect from you moving forward?
Bori: Greatness, and something different. Always something different.

NoteS: You say “something different.” Are you gonna be specific?
Bori: Just knowing that, whatever Bori does, he’s doing it because it’s Bori. He’s the only one that can do it like that. And it’s not because I’m special or anything like that, it’s just because I’m trying to do my thing without letting outsiders enter my head again. And that’s one of the best things in this world.