Kelvin Ibinabo Oriye, known as Kaestyle, originates from Port Harcourt and embarked on his musical journey long before his official debut in 2021 under the guidance of the rapidly emerging Nigerian record label KeyQaad. Influenced by local talents and fueled by his intrinsic passion, Kaestyle’s versatile approach transcends musical boundaries, embodying his belief in artistic liberty. Overcoming initial hurdles, he now advocates for openness within the industry, encouraging audiences to embrace innovative sounds.
His track “Egberi” represents a cultural amalgamation, blending highlife and drill beats with compelling storytelling. With aspirations for the global stage, Kaestyle promises a plethora of new music and a forthcoming major announcement, solidifying his presence in the international music arena.
Tell us more about your background.
My name is Kaestyle; that’s my artist name, and my actual name is Kelvin Ibinabo Oriye. I grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I moved to Lagos like three years ago.
When did you start making music?
Officially, I started in 2019. Prior to that, I’ve been making music all my life. I started recording in 2008, and I began singing way before 2008 because it was innate.
At what point did you realize your passion for your craft, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
I started singing very early; I was in the senior choir when I was eight. However, music wasn’t a career then; it was just something I could do. I got inspired by a duo in my city, a group that made music. One of the guys in the group used to attend my church, and seeing him at the time, doing international collaborations and traveling out of the country, was inspiring. I felt like I could do this because I can sing. Fast forward to making music now.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
It’s not too much of a story; my name is Kelvin, and “Kae” is from Kelvin, so it’s Kelvin Style. I know I’m stylish, not just in terms of dressing, though I’m stylish there as well. It’s not just that; it’s also about the music. I don’t want to be boxed in as an R&B singer or an Afrobeat artist. I dive into whatever beats come my way. I feel like I’m stylish in various aspects: music, dressing, the way I talk, vibe, and relate to people. So, I felt like calling myself Kelvin Style was right.
Could you share with us some of the major challenges you’ve faced in the music industry and elaborate on how you managed to overcome them?
One of my first major challenges was getting heard as an artist in Port Harcourt. I knew I was good, I didn’t need any validation but it was hard to reach people. I tried radio, but it was a tough experience; getting my song played was difficult. However, the internet helped me get heard, and I got signed the next year. Being heard was my major challenge then. Even now challenges don’t stop; they move from stage to stage. Now, with a platform, the challenge is understanding what my fans want to hear and navigating where to go next with my music. It’s about understanding what my audience loves and delivering that.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
It’s crazy that what I really want to change is something that will be hard and will take years. But then I think it’s more about the mindset of the listeners. I feel like Nigerian fans are too stereotyped; they are too accustomed to a particular thing, and when someone else tries something different, they are not quick to adapt to the change or embrace a new sound or idea in the industry. I feel like that’s what I would like to change.
What is the message/inspiration behind “Egberi”? Talk us through the production process!
“Egberi” was inspired by a song I loved, “Burn My Cable” by Ajebo Hustlers. It combined highlife guitar with drill beats, creating a unique sound. The producer of that song happened to be at my place when I fell in love with it, and I was inspired to create something similar but with a different approach. The highlife guitars gave me a nostalgic feeling from my childhood. My mom is from Bayelsa. It reminded me of the Bayelsa highlife guitars I grew up listening to. So, I decided to infuse the Ijaw language in the second verse. “Egberi” means story, so I decided to tell my personal story within the song. It’s about reaching where I want to be but losing someone I used to love along the way.
What lessons have you learned from working in the industry?
One crucial lesson is that in the industry, nobody is really your friend. I’ve experienced situations where people turned me down when I needed help, only to come around when things started going well. It taught me to focus on success more than making friends.
What’s been the most memorable moment of your career?
The most memorable moment was when I realized I got signed to the same label as Omah Lay. It felt like a blessing and an authentication of my talent.
What do you think about the evolution of Afrobeats in Nigeria and your role in it?
I believe we deserve this attention, but it’s not entirely new. Before now, I had researched our history, recalling icons like Fela, who had a global impact. Artists like Femi being Grammy-nominated, and legends like King Sunny Ade performing abroad show our longstanding presence. Many of our greats artists at that time weren’t signed to Nigerian labels but international ones. This cycle presents a second chance for us to solidify our place permanently in the global music scene. It’s about ensuring Afro beats maintains its prominence without fading, leveraging our hard work to secure a lasting position at the top.
So, what is next for Kaestyle?
My fans can expect more music; I have a lot in store. There’s a big announcement coming soon, something international, and more good music is on the way.
Quote
“In the industry, nobody is truly your friend. Work hard, succeed, and everything else will follow.”