“I aim to make my performances feel as personal as possible, regardless of the audience size. I want people to feel like they’ve spent an evening with me.”
That's how Gabzy expresses it. It's an apt portrayal of the type of music he has dedicated the past few years to refining—subtle, vulnerable, and profoundly personal.
This deliberate gentleness has become his trademark. Embracing vulnerability while creating songs that resemble confessions, Gabzy has quietly established himself as a trusted voice in the romantic realms of Afrofusion. Since breaking out with ‘Summers’, the 2019 cult-classic EP in collaboration with Melvitto, he has created a niche that is uniquely his own and cherished by the women who have supported his music since the beginning. With a fanbase that feels more like a close-knit community, the young singer has sold out shows in London, toured East Africa, and steadily developed a discography that is both personal and widespread.
His recent EP, ‘It’s Not You, It’s Summer’, builds on this foundation. The project delves into the bittersweet emotions accompanying seasonal transitions. Featuring collaborations with Fireboy DML and Victony, the EP beautifully marries smooth melodies with sincere storytelling while encapsulating moments of love, uncertainty, and self-reflection.
Clash spoke with the British-Nigerian artist about his memories of Peckham, summer romance, long-awaited collaborations, and the importance of taking your time.
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You’ve significantly evolved since your choir days in Peckham. Can you share that first music memory with us?
Absolutely. It was probably in the choir. At that time, I wasn’t even thinking about being a musician; I just enjoyed singing. I would take the solos and everything. So, from a young age, I realized I liked to sing, not yet creating music.
You began as a rapper before transitioning to singing. What prompted that change?
I started rapping a few years later. I was already singing in the primary school choir. When I finished secondary school, my friends and I were searching for jobs. We went from shop to shop, even offered to cut meat in a meat shop just to get employed, but nobody hired us. Out of boredom, we began recording at my friend Joshua’s house. At that time, everyone was rapping. We’d have clashes at school for fun, so I thought, “Let me give this a shot,” and that’s how it started.
Peckham is often called "Little Lagos." How do you think your culture and upbringing have influenced your identity and music?
100%. Growing up in Peckham, I experienced so many different things. I was in touch with Afrobeats and the movement from the start. I remember watching HiTV and listening to Nigerian artists; it never felt distant to me.
You've noted that Peckham's diverse culture has significantly impacted you. Were there any local places that were particularly meaningful?
Obalende Suya is now closed, but it held significance. The Yellow Brick Football Pitch is also gone, but that was our go-to spot for football. Peckham Rye was another place where, just by walking along, you’d discover so many interesting things. It shaped who I am.
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What was your upbringing like? I heard your dad was a big fan of Styl-Plus.
He loved R&B. My dad played a lot of R&B music. I was singing Jagged Edge songs in primary school; I had no business doing that! He listened to Joe, Jagged Edge, Usher, all of which definitely had an impact on me.
How did you break the news to your parents about taking a break from school for music? What was their reaction?
I didn’t outright say, “I want to pursue music.” I used the excuse of not enjoying my first experience at university in Coventry, claiming I didn’t like the area. That gave me some leeway. But even then, I didn't reveal much until I signed my first contract with my former label, One Nation. Once I had something concrete to show, it was like, “I’m not just in this for fun.” That helped me a lot.
The title ‘It’s Not You, It’s Summer’ feels like a whole vibe. What was the inspiration behind it?
It plays off “It’s not you, it’s me.” It touches on how, when summer arrives, both guys and girls reconsider their relationships and situationships. People start reassessing their options or end things because of the season.
This EP features artists like Fireboy and Victony, along with producers such as Lekaa Beats and TSB. How did these collaborations happen?
It took time. I reset many things. Some of the songs were finished long ago. I’d sit with them and feel I could do better, so I’d start again. Lekaa is a close friend; we’d hang out, record at my place,
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“I aim to create an intimate atmosphere in my shows, even when there are many attendees. I want everyone to feel as though they’ve truly spent an evening with me.” That's how