Glenn Mena made his mark years ago with his first single “Movement” in 2016—long after starting music in 2006. Now based in Cape Town, South Africa, the Warri-born artist has finally felt a clear sense of sound identity and direction with his latest album Night Bus, released in December 2024. It is a deeply personal body of work inspired by his upbringing in Warri in the ’90s. From the skits to the stories, the album is a timestamp for a specific generation. In this conversation, we talk about working with Erigga and how his debut album Night Bus just might be the best thing to come out of the South in years.

NoteS: What do you think has kept you grounded all these years in music?
Glenn: I think my consistency has kept me grounded and the general enjoyment of my natural talent. Honestly, it is something I enjoy. Those who know me closely would most probably say I sing all the time.

NoteS: For you, how was making music in Nigeria back then different from now?
Glenn: Back then, I already knew producers, so it wasn’t hard. It was just about getting access to certain things. We found a studio, I recorded — it was pretty straightforward. Now, it’s almost the same, except a lot of people can make music from home now. All you need is a computer and some skill.

NoteS: Who were the artists in Nigeria you looked up to?
Glenn: 2Baba, D’banj, Wande Coal, Banky W.

NoteS: Did they influence how you made music?
Glenn: I liked Banky W’s music — I thought he was cool. But I’m not sure if I had any Nigerian musical inspirations because then everyone will say I come from Ghana. And I’m always like, “What is Ghanaian about this?” I just made the music I liked. I think I’ve been on a journey to find my sound, and now I feel like I’ve found it. What I’m doing now really feels like me.

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NoteS: That led to Night Bus, right? You finding your sound. So what’s the concept behind that album name?
Glenn: The name resonated with me. I liked the idea of leaving somewhere at night and arriving somewhere new in the morning. That’s symbolic for me — like a transformation. It’s my first album, and I think the name is perfect for that.

NoteS: And when it came to the visual direction — the old Lagos Danfo bus on the cover — what was the thinking there?
Glenn: I love the word Night Bus. It’s a metaphor. Leaving one version of yourself and arriving at another, like I said. I wanted something artistic that I could approve of and stand by. There are some people who like to say, “There’s this deep thing to it,” but no, not really. I just needed it to be artistic, and this was.

NoteS: Your music seems to be deeply inspired by where you come from — Warri. What experiences from your upbringing there inspired this album?
Glenn: If you live in Warri now, you might not get it. But those who grew up in the ’90s, they will. There’s a skit on the album called Complete Person — they used to play that back then to encourage kids to get educated. I put it on the album, and it resonates with people from that era.

NoteS: If you had to recommend one song from the album to someone, which would it be?
Glenn: Normal.

NoteS: What’s it about?
Glenn: It’s about kids living with ADHD.

NoteS: Hmm, that’s a deep and important message to have on your project. So outside music, what else do you do?
Glenn: I own a car-wrapping company in Cape Town called The Wrap Crew. We wrap cars. It’s pretty dope.

NoteS: There’s a strong Nigerian music community in South Africa. How do you all connect?
Glenn: We meet up a lot, especially on weekends or during nightlife. There’s a good vibe. No hostility — just love and collaboration. I like the energy among Nigerian artists here.

NoteS: Who are some Nigerian artists in South Africa you’d like to put on?
Glenn: Slim Jay, Arosino, Delli V. They’re all in Cape Town, doing their thing.

NoteS: You’ve done a track with Erigga in the past, but currently, who in Nigeria would you love to collaborate with?
Glenn: Davido. Just because of his energy — he brings life to music.

NoteS: Everyone knows Davido is heavily involved with the Amapiano scene in SA. Is Amapiano something you’re into?
Glenn: Not really. Amapiano is dope, but I’m fully Afrobeats. I may infuse some of the rhythm — like drums and basslines — but my core is Afrobeats.

NoteS: Your song with Erigga in 2020, Warri Boy — when you made that, were you still in Nigeria?
Glenn: I was actually in South Africa. That song with Erigga, I made it like nine years earlier. So when I was coming to Nigeria, I called him up and said, “Yo, I’m in Nigeria, let’s record this properly. It’s still sounding fresh.” We decided to redo it, and then shot a video for it. He was in Warri at the time, and I was going to see my parents — so it was perfect timing. Chase was around, and we shot the video. It came out pretty good.

NoteS: What’s your creative relationship like with Chase?
Glenn: Chase is super talented. With the resources he has, he still manages to create amazing work. The latest video he shot for me was for Star in the Making, the second track after the intro. He followed me through my normal life — interactions with my wife, my child, running errands. Very real and raw.

NoteS: Oh, you’re married?
Glenn: Yes, married. My wife’s name is Stella. Don’t play with her — she’s my queen!

NoteS: How do you balance music and family life?
Glenn: It’s beautiful, especially when you’re married to someone like Stella. Not everyone is lucky to have a partner who understands the creative grind — the late nights, the travel, the focus. But I’m grateful.

NoteS: Do you travel often for shows?
Glenn: Not recently. I just had a daughter, so I’ve stayed put for a bit to be with family.

NoteS: What’s next for you?
Glenn: The album promotion is still organic and ongoing, so I’m not rushing it. While that unfolds, I’m already working on a new project. It gives me time for music and my family. I believe once the light hits the music the way it should, all the other songs will fall in place. My focus now is making sure whatever I release next will wow whoever hears it.

NoteS: Can you share a bit about the new project?
Glenn: It’ll be another album. Having just one album after all these years doesn’t look good on the résumé. Night Bus showed me what I could do with my team in-house. I believe anyone who hears that album would want to hear the next. Honestly, Night Bus is the best album to come out of the South Side in the past two, three years.

NoteS: If someone listens to Night Bus ten years from now, what do you hope they take from it?
Glenn: Anybody who listens to Night Bus, especially a Nigerian audience, will say that it is a complete body of work. There’s no way you will give it a listen and 3 or 4 tracks will not resonate with you.

NoteS: For young artists trying to find their sound like you did with Night Bus, what’s your biggest piece of advice?
Glenn: Keep exploring as many sounds as you can explore if your vocal strength allows you to. When you finally find your sound, you will know.

NoteS: Lastly, how do you want to be remembered — as an artist, a person, and a storyteller?
Glenn: As an artiste, I would like to be remembered for my originality — or I should say authenticity. As a person, I’d love to be remembered for my level of consistency. I think say by now I for don stop to dey do music, but consistency has kept me in this pool. As a storyteller, I think my pieces and vivid imageries stand out pretty much, and that will always be remembered by the set of people who have stuck with my music from the onset.