Funaya is an indie alté artiste who prioritizes spirituality and understands the importance of holding pan-Africanist values. After obtaining her LLB, she decided to focus on her music career and hopes to get her big break soon. Today, I sit with her to discuss her music journey and her values. 

How are you? 

I’m fine, you? 

I’m good. Let’s talk about freaky girl. As a rap lover, you just know it’s my favorite track. What was the creative process like? 

It’s more of a reminiscing song. I just thought about a couple of things and put it into the song. 

You have a law degree, you are a content creator, you are a model and now you are pursuing a music career. Do you see yourself still juggling all these in the future?

To be very honest, I don’t know. I’ll just say, I’m still discovering myself, however, music will be my main focus for now

Are there any big plans you can let us in on? 

I’m not planning anything big. My plan right now is to just focus on music. I don’t really know what the future holds. I just want to live my life and be as authentic as possible. I’m here to deliver a message. In fact, everybody who is conscious, like you and I, have a duty to educate people. Let me also say this, I believe a big change is coming to this country (Nigeria) soon; revolution is arriving

Ouu. Now we are here, let’s talk about what spirituality means to you. 

Spirituality is knowledge of yourself. And to acknowledge yourself you must recognize all the components that make you. This is why I lean towards African spirituality. My ancestors define me. Additionally, I don’t even believe you have to worship any deity to the extent that god controls all of you. No matter who/what you worship you owe yourself certain responsibilities. We alone create our reality and have a shared role in what our tomorrow looks like.

I came across a TikTok where you said you don’t believe Mohbad would have died if he was worshipping African gods. I want you to expand on that for us, please.

Firstly, I believe African gods are more powerful than foreign gods. Calling on African gods is not just calling on a deity but elements as well. For example, In Igboland, Ala means land, and the deity Ala is known as the womb of the earth and mother of justice. There is a communal energy in it. When you call on gods your ancestors have worshipped, there is this harbored familiarity. They will definitely answer you. If truly Mohbad believed in an African deity he wouldn’t have died like that. I say this because I have seen things happen. Nothing can break you when you are grounded in your roots. When you pray to our deity and they answer you, it’s because they’ve harnessed your strength. To believe in yourself is to believe in African gods

Do you know you go viral on Twitter every Eke market day? 

I’m not even on that app 

I know! And also, everybody, take notes – Ifunaya Grant is not on that app. The craziest rumor they started was the NBA one. How did that make you feel? And what other crazy rumor have you heard about yourself? 

I have heard a lot of things about myself. I can’t even start on that one. And for the NBA, they started that rumor because I’m a lawyer and they claim I’m disgracing their profession. I’m not even practicing

Back to your music, Who are your biggest influences?

Tems. SZA. Fela. And the US rap scene

There is a knowledge I picked up from you on one of the random days you go viral on Twitter. It’s menstrual blood and the way it helps with plant growth, and you also apply this period blood on your face, I’m so curious, where did you learn that from?

Oh that, it was back in law school, one time I had some very bad pimples and acne and my mind just told me to try my period blood. Just like you, I browsed it and saw the benefits. Now it’s like my sacred ritual. It really works for me

What’s the one piece of advice you would love to give to all women, especially as a feminist 

Okay. My advice to us is that: this world is designed to make us feel less of ourselves. So even on your bad days, I want you to remind yourself that you are beautiful, you are shining and nothing can bring you down. Authenticity is my mantra. I’m forever working towards embracing all parts of myself, and my greatest desire is to remain my true self.

In your quest for nonconformity and truly finding yourself, have you ever come across any reason to halt?

Not really. But, sometimes, I get worried. You know, as a human being, I worry if I’m the society outcast

I get that a lot. The Nigerian music industry is drenched in sexism. There numerous evidence in this regard, have you had any personal experience?

Not much. It’s just a bunch of producers always wanting to sleep with me and sometimes I trick them

Oh my god, do you have any story you are comfortable with sharing? 

For now, I’d rather not share. Let me not cast them

Can you positively affirm anything here today with me 

I hope that one day my music will take me places and I wish that one day people get to appreciate me not just for who I am, but for my music as well 

Last but not least, I want you to put us on. What’s that song you would recommend to anybody trying to get into you 

Sincerely, this is hard to say. Laughs. But I think I’ll say “Don’t Forget About Me”. 

Okay, now everybody go and listen to Don’t forget about me. In fact, stream the whole discography. Thank you so much Ifunanya for speaking with me

Thanks dear, it’s been a lovely interview