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Alte singer, BOJ shares how Rema, Fireboy copied their style
BOJ, a fast-rising Nigerian alternative singer and a member of the musical group DRB LasGidi, has expressed the view that Afrobeats stars Rema and Fireboy have been heavily influenced by the alté movement.
During an interview with The Beat 99.9 FM in Lagos, BOJ shared his perspective that both Rema and Fireboy have drawn inspiration for their fashion choices and mannerisms from the alté community. Alté is a distinctive music genre that fuses elements of afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, and alternative R&B. It embodies alternative, non-traditional modes of self-expression through both music and fashion.
BOJ’s observation highlights the cross-pollination of styles and influences within the Nigerian music industry. The alté movement has played a significant role in shaping the country’s music landscape, influencing not only the sound but also the fashion and aesthetics of contemporary Nigerian artists. Artists like Rema and Fireboy, who have gained international recognition, showcase the diversity and creativity of Nigerian music, drawing from a range
BOJ said; “Santi has always been there from the get-go. Santi, LOS and us [DRB LasGidi] but Santi’s name was Oxy B back then. So, I would say we are the ones who pioneered alté.
“And what is happening now was always bound to happen. We were the cool guys and there were a lot of young kids that gauged us and were like, ‘Okay, we want to emulate these stuff.’ Even if it wasn’t that we are doing exactly what they are doing, we are letting guys know that you could do things differently in whatever field you are in.
“Everybody in the alté makes different types of music. So, the music wasn’t actually called alté. It is everything else around it. I would say that the fashion is one of the things that translated the most into the mainstream in terms of the aesthetic of the mainstream. I feel a lot of the mainstream new cats are actually alté guys. I would say Rema is an alté guy, I would say Fireboy is. If you gauge the way they dress, the swag, the way they move [it’s all alté].”
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