Nigerian American born singer/songwriter Janeliasoul developed her love of music while growing up in Nigeria. Learning traditional Yoruba folk songs led to her discovering other musical genres, such as, Soul and Jazz. Fast-forward to now and the Baltimore, Maryland resident’s 7-piece band “Janeliasoul” is fusing those influences, along with Afrobeat into one infectious sound.
Who inspired you to make music?
I was born into a musical family; my father played the bass guitar while my grandfather was a songwriter, so it was natural for me to be inspired by them. I started writing songs when I was in elementary school.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I like to describe my style of music as fusion. It has elements of soul, jazz and African rhythms and we love to put it all together on stage.
Are you finding the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or is it hindering the experiences you can write about?
When the pandemic first hit, it was hard to stay positive and be creative. However, as time went on and fears started to decrease, I see myself getting even more creative. I have been writing about things that have been going on in the world, no love songs lately.
What is your favourite song to perform?
My favourite song to perform is Love-hate. That is the most honest song I have ever written. I poured my heart and soul into that song; I didn’t hold back and said everything that I needed to say. So, when I perform it, that truthfulness shines through and I think people can feel that.
What’s next for you?
I have released a new music video to a previously released song titled “Bedroom Magician”
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
I actually do, I sing a lot of traditional Nigerian folk songs that I grew up singing, and I guess you can say I celebrate my inner child in the shower, lol.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
“The First Peoples”. It is a documentary about the modern humans who originated in Africa.
If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
French, it sounds so romantic.
What’s your favourite board game?
Scrabble, I love words, play on words, putting words to music, people who have a way with words, anything with words, lol.
Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?
Yes, waist beads are my lucky items, I have been wearing them for many years even before they became trendy and now, they are one of the best sellers on my merch store, janeliasoul.store
Baltimore Feb. 14, 2021 – Baltimore-based recording artist, Janeliasoul joins forces with producer/musician, Femi Sanya, to deliver a smoldering and rhythmic new song entitled, “Bedroom Magician”. Femi, who also happens to be Janeliasoul’s significant other, is also a sought-after musician within the entertainment industry. So, when it was time for Janeliasoul to begin working on her new record, she knew exactly who to ask to accompany her on her sultry new song, Bedroom Magician—her soulmate and hit producer, Femi Sanya.
Janeliasoul’s new single featuring Femi Sanya is a true story of #blackgirlmagic meets #BedroomMagician. Married for 18 years, Janeliasoul and her husband have written many love songs together over the years by merging her songwriting skills with his 25 years experience as a professional musician and producer. During the quarantine, they were forced to step away from their solo projects, came together to start recording their love songs and Bedroom Magician is their first offering.
On this track, which he also produced, Femi Sanya plays what has been called a wicked bass solo by his peers. Femi said “it is not common for the bass guitarist to take a solo in an afrobeats or amapiano track. However, I do it on stage all the time, I consider myself an innovator and it’s time we bring that to the studio.”