Lago is an artist who emerged during Nigerian music’s 2017 wave but has spent the better part of the last three years away from the spotlight, not for the first time. Now, he’s finally ready to step back into the scene with a newly released single, Zen. Long inspired by Bob Marley and his style of music, Lago has always worn traces of reggae in his artistry while remaining rooted in Afrobeats. Speaking with TheNextShots, he reflects with a quiet confidence and an understanding of both the cost of stepping away and the discipline it takes to sustain a career once you return. He also explains why this comeback is different from the ones before it.
Q: Hello Lago, it’s been a minute since the industry heard from you. Why the three-year break?
A: Honestly, one word I would use for everything is burnout. At one point, it felt like I had gotten out of touch with my creative essence, and everything became harder, even writing songs and the whole process itself, so I felt I needed time to rediscover myself and grow, but I didn’t set out thinking it was going to be three years; that’s just what it took. I wasn’t completely silent though; I was still active behind the scenes the whole time, still very much up to date, just not visible.
Q: A lot has changed in the scene since you’ve been away. Are you going to approach music any differently this time?
A: Yes, for sure. The biggest change is really within me. I’m much more connected to my creative core now. This time I’m just staying true to myself and sharing music that I’m genuinely proud of instead of making songs because I think they’re what people expect or what they want to dance to. I’m focused on putting out original work that represents me. That’s the biggest difference this time around.
Q: You’ve always been vocal about Bob Marley shaping your artistry. How do you balance that reggae influence while still staying true to your Afrobeats roots?
A: As Nigerians, Afrobeats is in our blood. We’ve lived with it all our lives, so no matter what other influences I have, that foundation is always there. Over the years, I’ve evolved too. My Bob Marley influence has evolved beyond simply making reggae music. I haven’t even made a reggae record in a long time. It’s no longer about trying to fit into one genre. The Afrobeat core is always there, but I’m free to explore different sounds and let those influences grow naturally with me.
Q: Is Zen a standalone single, or should we expect a project?
A: Definitely expect more. Zen is really just an appetizer.
Q: This isn’t your first hiatus. You stepped away after 2021 and came back in 2023 with “Lotto” and Blaqbonez. What’s different about this comeback?
A: What’s different with this one is that there’s infrastructure and there’s a plan. Over the past three years that I wasn’t putting stuff out, I was actually active behind the scenes, building. And here’s the thing: whenever I take time off, it always shows in the quality of the music I come back with; I don’t come back the same. So expect a newer and better version of me this time.
Q: Is there a specific reason behind the pattern of stepping away and coming back?
A: When I put in work and don’t see the results I think I should be seeing, especially for the energy I’m putting in, it starts to take away from the joy of the process itself, and that’s what leads to burnout. My response has always been to step back and reassess, because outside the creative part there’s other stuff going on too, investments and all that. The good thing is I’ve actually figured it out now. There are plans and systems in place so we don’t have this same conversation again.
Q: We’re hoping this run sticks. What does consistency look like for you from here?
A: Consistency from here means putting out music more frequently, not just that, dropping more visual content in between, and just being active overall.
Q: For people just getting to know Lago, what should they expect?
A: When you hear my songs, you should get captivated by the melodies and the way I bounce my words. Just expect real music, because I look at every song I make as a work of art. My melodies are different; the way I bounce my words is different, and it’s evident in the work I just put out.