The son of William Onyeabor an Eastern Nigerian music legend, Charles Onyeabor has spoken about the impact his father's music has outside the shores of Africa. Charles during an interview with Legit.ng made it known that his father was a big artiste in Europe and other parts of the world and he needed to be celebrated like the late Afrobeats legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.





He further talked about what made him leave Nigeria and pursue a career in Italy: "I wanted to do music that was why I left Nigeria, I wanted something different, being the son on William Onyeabor was difficult, no one ever believed that we could do something without our father's influence, he is rich and very famous. I wanted something different so I went to Italy.



On his style of music, he said: "I don't compete with anybody I'm just doing things my own way, listening to my sound is different I'm not competing with anybody. I just want to tell a story do things on my own, I want to work with some of the big guys, if they also want to."

I wanted to do music that was why I left Nigeria, I wanted something different, being the son on William Onyeabor was difficult, no one ever believed that we could do something without our father's influence, he is rich and very famous. I wanted something different so I went to Italy.

William Onyeabor Is the Fela of the East, Africa Needs To Celebrate Him: Son Declares, Talks About His Music 

“I think Nigerians are the future of music. I remember back then in 2005/2006, some deejays refused to play any afrobeat song. Fast forward today, any deejay without an afrobeat song on their playlist is definitely not a deejay’ these are the words of Charles Onyeabor, the son of legendary Nigerian musician William Onyeabor.

Charles is an Europe based Nigerian born singer who clearly followed the footsteps of his legendary father, William Onyeabor. Over time, Charles has honed his skills and has grown to be a popular name in Italy where he’s currently based.

Describing the acceptance of his music outside the shores of Nigeria, he said ‘Its been pretty amazing. But on the other hand, it’s nothing new to me because my father’s music was and is still accepted outside the shores of Nigeria and seeing my music being accepted makes me definitely grateful’.

It’s difficult not to notice the influence of his dad’s sound in his music and Charles didn’t mince words about it saying, ‘my dad influenced my music a lot. He’s my role model.

I’ve seen him write, compose and deliver his music. I’ve never been that close to anyone to see how their music is done. I wouldn’t want to have a specific genre of music. I just want to deliver my music the way I feel it. If my musical inspiration comes in reggae, I will deliver it in reggae to my fans. If it comes in blues, RnB, Afrobeat, that’s the way I will deliver it. music is music’ he said.

With Italy as one of the most hit countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, Charles explained that ‘the pandemic was a blessing in disguise’. He went on to say ‘the lockdown gave me an opportunity to reflect on my life. That was when I realised I should be doing what I love.

I love music, so I decided to give it a try after 18 years. I started my career during this COVID 19 season. I don’t know what it’s like without the pandemic. But my manager would always say, “the pandemic is the only reason you haven’t gone on a Live show”. I guess COVID has its disadvantages in every business”.

Describing the acceptance of his music outside the shores of Nigeria, he said ‘Its been pretty amazing. But on the other hand, it’s nothing new to me because my father’s music was and is still accepted outside the shores of Nigeria and seeing my music being accepted makes me definitely grateful'.

I wouldn’t want to have a specific genre of music. I just want to deliver my music the way I feel it

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