Emerging Naija: F3line

Since the release of her debut single ‘Day One’ in January, the Sony Music West Africa act has put everyone on notice, gaining attention for her stand-out live showcases and earned the status as one to watch in 2024. 

Quickly, F3line is gearing up to release her second single, alongside a love-themed five-track Hopeless Romantic EP, due later this month. 

Ahead of the releases, the musician, credited with offering backing vocals for leading names like CKay, spoke to Music In Africa about her distinctive sound, embracing vulnerability, and drawing inspiration from the likes of Beyoncé and SZA. The interview forms part of our Emerging series, which highlights burgeoning talent from the continent.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: How smooth or difficult has your transition from engineering to pursuing a music career been so far?   

F3LINE: It hasn’t been difficult really. It’s been going quite well. Since before I graduated, it was out there that I was going to do music after school. I would write songs in school on weekends or whenever I felt inspired. I kept all my ideas in a book so that when I got home on vacation, I’d record multiple songs on end. So as soon as I graduated, I hit the ground running. I immediately started song selection and getting my project ready. I’m just glad that now the world can finally hear my sound.    

How would you say ‘Day One’ is setting the tone for your musical journey?  

‘Day One’ was the perfect song I think I could’ve started with because it describes exactly the type of person I am. I love too much, I love too hard and I don’t think when it comes to my emotions sometimes. Vocally, this is me. I think it showcases my range as a singer. I wanted to introduce my best and most authentic self to the market. Pure and undiluted F3line. And when the music is authentic, it’s only up from there.  

Afro-R&B and pop are foundational to your sound. Could you discuss how these have become your go-to influences, and what unique elements they bring to your sound?  

Growing up I listened to a lot of Beyoncé, Cassie and Rihanna and right now I am really into SZA and Summer Walker. R&B and pop are mostly all I listen to and I think it shows in the music I currently make. There’s a certain type of lyricism that comes with the genre which kinda forces you to be real and vulnerable.  I’m still exploring my sound and I’m still trying to hone in on what that is.  

Already, you have been cited as an artist to watch out for in 2024. How do you plan to capitalise on this recognition to further your career?  

First of all, it’s an honour to be cited as an artist to watch out for in 2024. Secondly, I just wanna drop music and find my people. I have the drive, and the passion, I have God and I have my talent. One thing I now plan on is dropping great music.  

Given the recent global success of their peers in pop music, do you believe there is added pressure on Nigerian artists to excel? If so, do you personally feel this pressure?  

I don’t think there’s any pressure. Multiple kings and queens can coexist. We all have the same end goal, which is to get our music out there and to promote Africa in the best light. I am happy that everyone is doing amazingly well and popping. If anything it makes me more confident and more hopeful for when that’s finally me.  

How would you describe your experience as a female artist within Afrobeats/Afropop?  

My experience has been great. I love being a female artist, we’re queens. However, when it comes to music, there’s kind of a notion that men do it better and women have to rely on looks. Fortunately, I have been privileged to work with people who don’t necessarily see me as a “female artist”, they just see me as someone about to chef up and they give me the space and creative freedom to do my thing. Also, the community of women in music is great. We support and look out for each other and I’m with it 100%.    

What inspired your EP Hopeless Romantic and what conversations do you hope it starts?

Hopeless Romantic is a story of a finished person. They loved, and they lost the love they thought was going to be forever. The five songs in it represent the five stages of grief that I had to go through to get over my heartbreak. I want people to understand that this happens to the best of us. It’s not something to have to shame away. Allow yourself to feel it. You loved somebody and it didn’t work out doesn’t mean you should hate yourself for it or deny yourself the pleasure of experiencing love again. Accept that you are a hopeless romantic and that you would still love hard with another person. Love is not something you should regret and I hope my EP starts that conversation.  

Who are some of your technical models and why?

Beyoncé and SAZ. Beyoncé, when it comes to vocals, she is my GOAT. I train my voice every day to reach her vocal agility and control. SZA, for me, is the queen of songwriting – vulnerable songwriting to be exact. She’s not afraid to sing what other people are thinking, but are too afraid to say. She provokes emotions with her lyrics, and really that’s what I aim to do with my songs as well.  

What motivates the themes you explore through your music?  

My very random life experiences. There’s this thing I do when I go through some unimaginable s!#t in life, I just write it down in my Notes app. Also, I could have some very generic topics written down like love, heartbreak, triumph, sex, partying, alcohol, fun, and then when I have a creative block, I just go there, pick whichever one I want to write on, think of an experience and just write based on that. I am usually around when my producer is cooking up the beat. So I let the beat speak to me, tell me what it wants me to talk about.  

What are your aspirations and what do you need to bring this to fruition?

I aspire to have a large, tight-knit fanbase that would be like my family. I aspire to top the charts and win awards. All in all, I just want to leave a legacy. One thing I know I’m not compromising on is the quality of music, it’s really good. l need to stay consistent and I need everyone’s support. I’m super excited to see where my career is headed. I have a front-row seat.