ANENDLESSOCEAN: THE NAME, THE FAITH, THE MUSIC

Names have a way of sparking curiosity, don’t they? As someone with a unique name, I understand the questions that come with it. In music, names carry even more weight because they’re a deliberate choice, a reflection of identity. So, when I first heard the name “Anendlessocean,” I couldn’t help but wonder: Who came up with that, and what’s the story behind it?

After some intel from my sister, my curiosity grew about this artist making waves in the Christian music scene. Despite feeling under the weather, Anendlessocean graciously made time for our chat because, as I like to think when I (NoteSphere) call, you answer. Just kidding. Or am I?

Naturally, the first thing I asked him about was his name. Off-stage, he’s known as Alli Hakeem Ayobami, but “Anendlessocean” is much more than a creative alias, it’s rooted in his faith. “If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about the name, I’d be a millionaire,” he says with a laugh. He explains its deeper meaning: “I’m a believer and God is my endless source. Whatever God is the source of, is infinite, endless.” A name, a mantra, and a reminder of infinite possibilities.

As we look into his background, Anendlessocean shares his unique upbringing. Raised in a household divided by faith,his father a Muslim and his mother a Christian, his early years were shaped by a fluid religious identity. “My religion was custody-based,” he reflects. “It depended on who I was living with at the time. When I lived with my Dad in Abuja, for example, I practised Islam. It was an interesting experience, not always the best, considering the potential conflicts, but I’m glad it brought me to where I am today.”

It wasn’t until around 2013 that he fully embraced Christianity, a moment he describes as a turning point in his life.

Our conversation transitions to music, where he acknowledges that his story shares some familiar elements. Like many musicians, his journey began in church, which he calls a “home” for creatives. “Church is where people come together,” he explains. “For so many of us, it’s a foundation, a community where we first learned to express ourselves.” However, his path diverged from the traditional choir route. Instead, he gravitated toward the guitar. “I decided to stick to playing the guitar and writing songs,” he says. “I wasn’t actively involved in the choir, but I was always writing, learning, and developing myself.”

Creative processes differ widely, and for the kind of music Anendlessocean makes, I was curious about how he approaches writing and recording. He takes a moment, gathering his thoughts as if mentally retracing his steps. “Well, I’d say it starts with me finding a quiet space, somewhere I can be alone,” he begins. For him, solitude is essential, a space where he can tap into his inner world and draw inspiration from his life experiences.

“Most of the songs I’ve written are based on my life and personal experiences,” he says. His creative process usually begins with a simple chord progression. “I play something on my guitar and let it guide me,” he explains. From there, lyrics flow, often reflecting his personal journey and emotions.

Once a song takes shape, it’s time to bring it to life in the studio. “It’s a process,” he admits. By the time a producer steps in, the concept is typically fully formed in his mind. “I know the direction I want it to take before we start building on it,” he says.

His tone turns reflective as we shift to his decision to pursue music seriously. Music isn’t just a passion for him; it’s a commitment. “This isn’t something you can go into halfway. You have to be all in,” he says with conviction. He’s keenly aware of the challenges in the industry, the difficulty of staying relevant and the risks that come with putting yourself out there. But for him, the rewards outweigh the risks. I ask about the moment he decided to commit to music fully, and he reflects. “I think it was right after I finished school, around 2019 or 2020,” he says. “I decided I was going to do this seriously, to start putting out projects consistently.” Since then, music has become his main pursuit.

When I ask Anendlessocean about the genre he identifies with, he pauses, clearly weighing his response. “Genres are tricky,” he begins. “They can put artists in boxes, and I don’t think that works for me.” For him, his music is rooted in African sounds, shakers and rhythms, but it’s also fluid, blending various styles. “There are days I feel like creating something with a reggae influence, but that doesn’t make me a reggae artist,” he explains.

If he had to categorize it, he describes it as an evolving blend: a genre deeply rooted in African sounds yet open to different interpretations. “It’s the message that matters,” he concludes, “and the freedom to let my music evolve with whatever inspires me.”

I share how I first discovered his song Gratitude. It was completely by chance—playing in church after service. Something about it instantly caught my attention, and I found myself reaching for my phone to Shazam. Then I realized it was by the artist my sister had mentioned before. “I played it on my way home,” I admit with a laugh, “not just once, but maybe 15 or 20 times.”

Hearing my enthusiasm, Anendlessocean opens up about the song’s meaning and creation. He explains that Gratitude came from a deeply personal place, a moment of reflection and a reminder to appreciate life, even in its imperfections. “It’s about recognizing where you are, even if it’s not where you want to be,” he says, sharing how he’s learned to focus on the journey rather than fixate solely on the destination.

As he describes its evolution, he emphasizes how the song has grown beyond his personal experiences to connect universally. “I wrote it for myself, but it’s amazing to see how it’s resonated with others,” he says, clearly moved. When I ask if he anticipated its success, he shakes his head with a smile. “Not at all. It was just something I put out there, but to see it take on a life of its own—it’s incredible, something I never could have predicted”

He recalls how the song initially had a slow start when it was released in December, only gaining momentum in January.

When I ask if Gratitude felt like a breakthrough moment, he considers the question thoughtfully. “It’s a bit complex,” he admits. While he had been gradually building a fan base even before the song, Gratitude reached a much wider audience. “I wouldn’t call it a career-defining moment yet,” he says, noting that many people who love the song might not even recognize him by face. “It’s humbling to see how far it’s gone, but there’s still so much more I want to accomplish.”

Community building is an essential part of any artist’s growth. While Anendlessocean has the Christian community as a foundation, he’s successfully created something uniquely his own. Shifting gears, I ask him about the importance of building a community, something I believe every artist needs but often overlooks.

“At first, it wasn’t something I focused on intentionally,” he admits. Over time, though, he’s come to recognize its significance. Through concerts, meet-and-greets, and tours, he’s found ways to connect with his listeners. “It’s my way of reaching out,” he shares. “Obviously, I can’t connect with every listener personally, but I try to meet them where I can.” These moments, he says, make the journey more fulfilling and help him better understand the people his music resonates with.

We talk about his latest project, Octagon, released on October 31, 2024. When I ask about its reception, his tone is a mix of gratitude and humility. “People love the songs on the album. Of course, I want it to reach more ears, but the reaction and reception so far has been amazing.” Curious, I ask if he had a favourite track on the project. Right now, he says, it’s the second track, D2D.

As I probe into the album title, Octagon, he reveals a broader vision. “It’s part of a continuous theme I’ve been building around shapes,” he explains. “I just wanted something that could evolve with me, so naming projects after shapes gives me room to create a kind of continuity.”

Our conversation deepens, and we touch on Christians in Nigeria’s music scene and the struggles with breaking into the mainstream. I share my perspective on how impactful it would be if more Christians intentionally pursued visibility in spaces like music, art, and entertainment, areas that shape culture. Too often, Christians stay within their immediate communities, focusing primarily on the church as an audience. But for the message to truly resonate and impact the world, it needs to break into mainstream spaces.

Anendlessocean agrees, describing it as “a very interesting question.” For him, it boils down to intentionality. “Music is a calling,” he says, reflecting on its spiritual weight. “I think it’s left to those in it to step up. At the end of the day, it’s needed, but there are still a lot of drawbacks and complexities around it.” He adds, “In the coming years, it would be great to see Christians doing things that set trends, but it has to come with intentionality.”

Artists face challenges and Anendlessocean doesn’t shy away from the realities. “Music is very intense,” he begins. “You’re constantly trying to balance everything.” As an indie artist, two major hurdles stand out: funding and reaching the right audience. “The cost of creating and promoting music, especially independently, can be overwhelming,” he explains. Finding resources to push his work effectively is a constant grind. Reaching the right listeners requires persistence and strategy. “It’s those very mundane, cliché setbacks,” he says.

I ask Anendlessocean about his goals, both immediate and long-term. “More music, more countries to play,” he says with a determined smile, envisioning a global stage where his message can resonate far and wide. In the short term, he’s focused on expanding his listener base and embarking on international tours. And long-term, his sights are set on maintaining this momentum, reaching even more listeners and sharing his music on even bigger stages.

Regarding plans for the end of the year, he shared news about his December concert: “The final leg of my Hexagon Tour will take place in Lagos on December 1st,” he reveals. This event marks the culmination of a journey that began in Ibadan and travelled through London and Manchester.

For aspiring independent artists, especially Christians trying to navigate a predominantly secular industry, Anendlessocean offers simple yet impactful advice: “Just go for it and be diligent.” He stresses the importance of consistency and persistence, encouraging artists to keep creating and sharing their work until they connect with their audience.

“There’s someone out there who loves the music you make. So just do your best, and you’ll find your tribe,” he says with a warmth that reflects his journey, one of faith, perseverance, and a passion for connecting through music.