interview by TeamAmped
Aug 12, 2025
Firstklaz: The Abuja-Bred Artist Delivering Spiritual, Nostalgic Melodies on His ‘Dejavu’ Breakthrough Journey.
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interview series: detailing the creative journey of young nigerian minds.
We all love a good story. But you know what’s better? When these stories are told through music. For songwriters, conveying a scenario that etches an image in the mind of listeners is a high.
I caught up with one of such acts on the Nigerian music scene called Firstklaz. Known for being serious about his craft, he’s that artist whose melodies are spiritual, intentional, and nostalgic — the kind that aim to give goosebumps and pull you into a different zone entirely.
From starting out as a drummer to becoming a rapper, songwriter, and producer, Firstklaz has grown into a multifaceted creative who sees no limits to what art can be. His sound is shaped by Abuja’s unique vibe and the music he soaked up from his father’s local and reggae playlists, influences that sometimes surface subconsciously in his songs — like the Ethiopian folk-tinged melodies on the second verse of his single Soyaiya.
With his forthcoming project Dejavu, he channels that sense of familiarity — the feeling that everything has happened before — into music that resonates deeply with listeners. For Firstklaz, it’s never just about chasing milestones; it’s about creating art that tells a story, leaves an imprint, and makes people feel something real.
amped:. If I asked someone close to you to describe FirstKlaz without mentioning music, what would they say?
Follow-up: Do you feel that same description fits the artist version of you?
Firstklaz: He plays too much
no, it doesn’t fit the artiste version of me. I get so serious with the music it’s everything for me
amped: What’s the story behind the name FirstKlaz — is it more of a statement, a standard, or a lifestyle?
Firstklaz: Actually got that name when i was in secondary school, friends started calling me that because I was taking the first position in my class then.
amped: You wear many hats — singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. Which came first for you, and how did the others follow?
Firstklaz: I’m actually a creative so i see no limit to what i can do as long as it’s art, i actually started as a drummer then rap followed
amped: When someone presses play on a FirstKlaz track for the first time, what’s the one thing you hope they instantly notice?
Firstklaz: How spiritual, intentional and nostalgic every melody sounds.
amped: Your music blends different elements. What’s your personal formula for creating something that feels fresh but still true to you?
Firstklaz: First off, the song progression. It has to give goosebumps and take me to a zone. When I’m in that zone a rhythm/drum pattern comes to my head immediately but sometimes the drums comes first. I actually love starting my music from scratch with the producer and most times i write before making the beats. It’s that crazy..
amped: Abuja isn’t always the first city people think of when talking about Nigeria’s mainstream music scene. How has the city and your state of origin shaped your sound?
Firstklaz: Abuja has a unique vibe, I love to be unique so I’m here sometimes to get the feel of everything i want to sound on my music.
amped: What parts of your cultural background or upbringing have found their way into your melodies, beats, or lyrics?
Firstklaz: It happens subconsciously, when I was much younger my Dad was playing a lot of local music in the house and reggae so at this point sometimes I’m just in the studio listening to beats and some of those melodies comes to my head on its own
In my latest single ‘SOYAIYA’ the melodies on the second verse sounds like an ethopian
old folk music and that still came from the stuffs I heard subconsciously from what my dad was playing then
amped: Can you walk me through your creative process when starting a new project — do you begin with a beat, a lyric, a mood, or something else entirely?
Firstklaz: First off a mood , I actually like to be organic with everything I do, I feel like forcing things always brings the wrong result in the long run but might give you a happy feel short term, so the mood has to be right. Anything I’m feeling at that point is what i sing about so you hear it from the feel of my voice and the zone and emotions that comes with the melodies
amped: You’ve worked with some creatives in the past. Which collaboration taught you the most, and why?
Firstklaz: I’ve learnt a lot from every song i make with ILIYA entertainment, they brought me into their world and make freestyle looks beautiful without forcing it.
amped: . Are there dream collaborators — Nigerian or international — you’re actively manifesting right now?
Firstklaz: Yes, i feel like a song with Ye will be so crazy. I see we have like minds.
amped: Let’s talk about your forthcoming project — what’s the story you’re trying to tell, and what can listeners expect sonically?
Firstklaz: The title of the project is Dejavu. At this point everything i feel looks like it has happened before so i quickly had to make music that reminds me of this feeling.
amped: The Nigerian music industry is vibrant but also competitive. From your experience, what’s the biggest misconception people have about “making it” here?
Firstklaz: One of the biggest misconceptions people have about "making it" in the Nigerian music industry is that talent alone is enough.
amped: . As an artist who also produces, you probably see both the creative and the technical sides of the industry. How does that dual perspective help or challenge you?
Firstklaz: Producing trains your ear differently. I developed a better sense of arrangement, structure, sound selection, and mixing, which have always been one of the things I’ve always wanted to be, a refined artist.
amped: The rise of digital platforms has changed how music is consumed and promoted. What’s your take on how streaming has affected Nigerian artists?
Firstklaz: Before streaming, breaking out of Nigeria was tough. Now? A hit on Apple Music, Spotify can put you on playlists from Nigeria to London to Los Angeles.
amped: In a scene where sounds and trends change fast, what do you think makes FirstKlaz stand out?
Firstklaz: My style is one of one and that’s why I’m always careful of what I listen to when I’m in the zone of listening to music
amped: If your music career was a visual art piece, what would it look like and why?
Firstklaz: The Monalisa painting, because it feels like a lot going on and still beautiful.
amped: Where do you see yourself five years from now — artistically and personally?
Firstklaz: A Global phase and i want to show the world a route they’ve never seen before with art. Personally, growth, achieving and ticking everything on my bucket list.
amped: Beyond music, are there other creative ventures or industries you want to explore?
Firstklaz: Yes, the movie industry and fashion.
amped: What’s one milestone you’ve set for yourself that will make you stop and say, “Yeah, I’ve done it”?
Firstklaz: No milestone can make me feel so, to me music is life and seeing people happy when they listen to my stuff is a big win
amped: What’s one message you’d leave for your fans who have been following your journey since day one?
Firstklaz: Don’t take no for an answer, you have the vision, no one else sees it, never shift from that and work with God most importantly.
