Drawing a silver lining out of adversity and hardship separates the goods from the greats in any profession. Using this method as a base for his upcoming project is Benue-born talent Mr. Dutch.
24th October saw Mr. Dutch drop his latest body of work They Thought I was Done. The album serves as a motivational story of staying inspired, even when it feels like time is limited. “They Thought I Was Done is like everybody’s story. Whenever you’re doing something and it feels like it’s over, you want to project that energy that it’s not over.”
After releasing his latest project, we caught up with Mr. Dutch to detail the album’s process, falling in love with music, the origination of his art name and much more.
Your new album ‘They Thought I was Done’ is out now! What can fans expect to hear from the upcoming project?
“You can hear from the album that these are fire records. You’ll expect to hear the new Mr. Dutch. All-round Afrobeats, Afroswing, spiritual vibes, happy vibes. It’s just a project that gets you going on a rough day, a happy day, a day where you want to be motivated. We’re making sure the songs connect to everyone’s life.”
Can you dive into the meaning behind the album title? Can we expect to see a different side to Mr. Dutch?
“Yes. The album title They Thought I Was Done is like everybody’s story. Whenever you’re doing something and it feels like it’s over, you want to project that energy that it’s not over. I made it like that so that everyone can connect. For me, it’s at that point in my career where it’s time for me to take things to the next level. To come back, make a change with a big impact. The way I approach my music, being hands on. I’m just telling the world that I’m coming back, I’m not done, it’s time for me to take over. That’s everybody’s story and I want people to connect to that energy.”
Let’s talk about single “Power Fit Do”. What was the idea behind this song and how was it working alongside DanDizzy?
“DanDizzy is like a brother. I’ve known him seven years. One day I was in the studio, and I got the beat, and I thought it sounds hard for a rapper. We were just vibing in the studio and it happened organically. We made that song in less than 30 minutes!”
In terms of making new music for the project, how do you find your creativity when in the studio?
“It’s been very smooth. I already know the story I want to tell, the direction of where I want the album to go. I’ve been dropping music for years now and it’s a rollercoaster ride. I wanted to tell people about the journey and where I am now. All the setbacks, I am grateful for them because it’s shaped the person who I am right now. I had all of this in me, so I’ve been making songs that direct to that. I’ve also made songs that are not too deep but still tell a story.”
Can you recall the moment you first fell in love with music and when did you make your first song?
“The first moment I fell in love with music is when I was seven years old, I made my first song in 2009-2010 and officially released my first project in 2017. In Nigeria, to release music, you need to have a sponsor or a record label. I didn’t think I could push things myself, so I was just waiting. I was first in a group call Three Tribes, which eventually split as one of the members of our group passed on. After a bit of time, we decided to push to the next level and now I’m pushing independently.”
In those seven years of not having a sponsor or label, how did you keep a positive mindset?
“I was still in school studying. Every now and then I would save money and have a studio session. My goal was to keep making music even without a sponsor. I didn’t want music to leave me. My headspace, I was open minded to the challenges I had, knowing I don’t have somebody, but I still love my music. I knew one day I would get that sponsor. When I completed school, I started working and with that money, I started pushing and dropping music.”
Where did the name Mr. Dutch originate from?
“Mr. Dutch is an inspiration from my dad. My dad used to travel Europe a lot and every time he came back from Amsterdam, he would tell me a story of how he made progress there. It was a dream of mine that I would go to Amsterdam and make my dreams come true. When I started my record label, I called it Dutch Dreams, and everyone started calling me Mr. Dutch and that’s how I adopted the name!
Have you managed to perform in Amsterdam?
“I performed there once in 2019. The reception was cool; the name got a lot of attention!”
What advice has stayed with you throughout your musical journey?
“Be involved in your creativity, your career and everything you’re doing. You are the captain of the ship. If you leave it in someone else’s hand, you are risking everything and you won’t know the value of what you have. Being involved is the best way to achieve and will get you to the height of what you want to achieve. If you’re making music or in a creative space, be involved at all times. Let people understand your vision and that way, you’ll be able to enjoy the process. Also, don’t stop! When you quit, you are a loser!”
What are three goals you’re looking to achieve before the year comes to a close?
“I want to be able to do my Europe tour, my world tour if possible! To kick off the world tour but starting from Europe. I also want to be able to launch my album and start planning my next project.”
Finally, who are three artists currently at the top of your playlist?
“Drake, Burna Boy and Fela Kuti!”
Mr. Dutch’s new album ‘They Thought I Was Done’ is available now on all digital streaming platforms.