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an interview with: ayo

AYO is a German born artist, the offspring of a Nigerian father who had come to Germany to study in the 1970s, and sometimes worked as a DJ, and a mother who is a gypsy. Her rich cultural background is also reflected in her musical influences.

AYO’s entire album, Joyful, was recorded in New York under live conditions. She cries, laughs and moves us with her simplicity. To accompany her, producer Jay Newland put together a group of open-minded musicians that, with a note on a B3 organ or with a stroke of slide guitar melodiously enter this unusual world, which is studded with a few words in Pidgin, the street language of Lagos, and unveils recollections of gypsy life.

She strives to naturally and sincerely share her stories and touch others, boosted solely by her life experience and her dreams.

ayo cd

This month we asked Ayo to answer a few questions for us:

B&L: Where does the name Ayo come from?

Ayo: Ayo means “Joy” in Yoruba, the language spoken by my father who is Nigerian.

B&L: Where do you get your inspiration?

Ayo: Life - from the little daily things to life’s bigger issues.

B&L: How would you describe your music?

Ayo: As colorful and as mixed as I am!

B&L: Have you always wanted to be a musician?

Ayo: I never really thought of it. It happened to be that way. It’s destiny! I always wanted to play the guitar and I always wanted to sing, but I was never that
self-conscious about it.

B&L: Is Down on My Knees based on real life?

Ayo: Yes. Just that I was not really begging! I was acting proud. I wrote the song instead of saying these things to my loved one.

B&L: Who were your favourite singers when you were growing up?

Ayo: Soul Children, Donnie Hathaway, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel

B&L: What has been the most exciting part of your career so far?

Ayo: It’s difficult to say because it’s all very exciting. Every time I go on stage, and meeting the people that bought my records, ranks high on the list.

B&L: What is one thing we wouldn’t know about you?

Ayo: That I am very good at table tennis and basketball!

B&L: How do you like to spend your spare time?

Ayo: I always spend it with my family, my son in particular.

B&L: What was it like performing on David Letterman?

Ayo: Very cold! The studio was sooo cold! I enjoyed it. Nice experience!

B&L: What is next for Ayo?

Ayo: Promoting my record in America, going to the Bahamas to record my second album and touring, touring, touring (Spring and Summer in U.S.)

B&L: What does being a woman mean to you?

Ayo: Being a woman to me means being the soil and the backbone of what most of our societies are built on.