Lindsey Chukwufumnanya Abudei, who is known professionally as Lindsey Abudei, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She started recording music and having jam sessions with rappers M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz while still an undergraduate law student in 2014. Abudei has released the solo projects Brown: The EP (2013), ...And the Bass Is Queen (2016), and Kaleidoscope (2023).
Lindsey Abudei | |
|---|---|
 Lindsey Abudei | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lindsey Chukwufumnanya Abudei |
| Born | 6 February 1987 Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria |
| Genres | Neo-soul, alternative R&B |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Website | lindseyabudei |
Early life and education
editA native of the Igbo-speaking part of Delta State, Nigeria, Abudei was born and raised in Jos. She attained a law degree from the University of Jos but decided to pursue a career in music after graduating.[1] Abudei was born to parents who were involved in music during their early years. She chose to make neo-soul and R&B music after listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Sade, Prince, Nat King Cole, R.E.M. Skeeter Davis, Andy Williams, The Beach Boys and Omar Lye-Fook.[2]
Career
edit2004–10: Early beginnings and Project Fame West Africa
editIn 2004, Abudei started recording music with MI, Jesse Jagz and Ruby Gyang (who were at the time under Loopy Records) while still an undergraduate student at the University of Jos. In 2010, she auditioned for the third season of Project Fame West Africa. Although she exited the platform as an early evictee, she managed to attract a devoted fanbase.[3] Abudei had a brief stint with The Jazzcats, a jazz band. She lent vocals to M.I's "Jehovah", a track from his debut studio album Talk About It. She also lent vocals to DJinee's "Thank You" and Jesse Jagz's "This Jagged Life".[4]
2011–13: Brown: The EP
editAbudei's 8-track EP Brown was released independently on 24 February 2013. Stylized as Brown: The EP, it contains three bonus tracks and was produced by Atta Lenell, Jesse Jagz and IBK. Brown was supported by the previously released singles "Drift Away", "The 90s Song" and "Out the Magazine". It also contains cover versions of Aṣa's "Jailer" and Fela Kuti's "Trouble Sleep, Yanga Go Wake Am".[4][5]
2014–present: ...And The Bass Is Queen and Kaleidoscope
editAbudei started recording her debut studio album ...And the Bass Is Queen in 2014. She shot the music video for "Out the Magazine" with Kemi Adetiba in 2015.[6] On 25 June 2016, she unveiled the album's artwork on Twitter and announced that it would comprise 12 tracks.[7][8] In 2017, Abudei got into a music residency in New York and became an Art OMI Music Fellow.[9]
Abudei recorded "Abụ Ya", an acoustic solo that appeared on Brymo's seventh studio album Yellow (2020).[10] Prior to recording "Abụ Ya", she released two singles in four years. On 3 April 2020, Abudei released the alternative ballad "One on the Outside".[11]
Abudei's second extended play, titled Kaleidoscope, was released to coincide with her thirty-six birthday on 6 February 2023.[12] Produced by Abudei and Bigfoot, the EP is a mixture of electronic music and classical music.[12] Abudei said she wrote the EP while experiencing feelings of doubt and loss.[13] She also said that each song on the EP, excluding the intro, is accompanied by an intermission.[13] Kaleidoscope was written as a soundscape for visual and performance presentations.[13]
Artistry and influences
editAbudei's music is a mixture of neo soul and alternative music. Her sound has been described[by whom?] as everything from "songbird to songstress, sultry to sonorous, emotion evoking to even effortlessly earth-moving".[citation needed] She has cited Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Sade, Eva Cassidy, and Roberta Flack as her key musical influences.[14]
Discography
edit- Brown: The EP (2013)
- ...And The Bass Is Queen (2016)
- Kaleidoscope (2023)
References
edit- ^ Abiola Solanke (19 September 2016). "Lindsey Abudei 'I have never wanted to do music for Nigeria alone,' singer says". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ "Interview – Lindsey Abudei talks about her music, influences and new album '…And The Bass Is Queen.'". 9jamusicradar.com. 26 September 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ Onyinye Muomah (27 July 2014). "Music has a part of me attached to it – Lindsey Abudei". Premium Times. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ a b Ovie O. (24 February 2013). "Lindsey Presents BROWN: The EP (DOWNLOAD)". notJustOk. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ "New Music: Lindsey – The 90s Song". jaguda.com. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ "Kemi Adetiba Visuals presents the Video for Lindsey Abudei's 'Out the Magazine'". BellaNaija. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ King A Maz (27 June 2016). "Lindsey Abudei Unveils Art For Debut Album". 360Nobs. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ Joey Akan (12 July 2016). "Pulse Album Review: Lindsey Abudei joins Nigerian music royalty with "And The Bass Is Queen"". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ "Saturday Morning Serial: Art Omi Music Guerilla Basilica Improvisations (Audio)". Wave Farm. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ Iyke Bede (10 April 2020). "Brymo Got it Right on Yellow". This Day. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Motolani Alake (6 April 2020). "Lindsey Abudei releases new single, 'One On The Outside'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b Opeyemi Rasak-Oyadiran (6 February 2023). "Lindsey Abudei returns with new EP 'Kaleidoscope'". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Adebayo Adebiyi (7 February 2023). "Lindsay Abudei releases new EP titled 'Kaleidoscope'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Alawode, Abisola (6 March 2015). "Lindsey Abudei: 'Out The Magazine'". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Lindsey Abudei discography at Discogs