TAR1Q: An MM Interview

TAR1Q is one of the brightest stars in Nigerian music today. A gifted musician by all definition, TAR1Q possesses the ability to craft records that shine on the strength of their musicality while carrying a strong emotional depth that makes his music distinct and deeply compelling. 

He made his emphatic arrival onto the Nigerian music scene with his critically and commercially successful debut EP, “Son of the moon”. The extended play received widespread acclaim from critics and fans, who praised the artist’s masterful display of his outstanding artistic abilities, sonic range, and topical dexterity across the five tracks. He has since followed his acclaimed debut with “All I Felt” and “Okada Airlines,” two remarkable bodies of work that elevated his profile on the global music scene and reaffirmed his position as one of the talents poised to lead Afrobeats into its future. 

Since making his debut, TAR1Q’s upward trajectory has been underscored by consistent artistic evolution, work ethic and his remarkable gift for channeling human emotions into compelling art. Within four years, he has risen from a new kid on the block to one of the most recognizable voices among the leading figures of the new school of Afropop. Following a hugely successful 2025 that saw the rising star embark on his debut solo tour across Europe and Africa, he retreated into the shadows like Batman returning to his cave, only reemerging when his latest single, the upbeat party-starter ‘Sesi,’ appeared on the horizon. 

With his highly anticipated debut album in the final stages of production, Mixtape Madness caught up with him to discuss what he’s been up to, the last four years since his breakout, his solo tour, and his forthcoming album. 

You’ve been relatively quiet in the media. What has life looked like in this period away from the noise? What have you been up to? 

I don’t think the word is ‘me being quiet’. I get why it might look that way, but my natural state of mind is just focusing on what’s inside. Because if I don’t do that, how do I express myself? So most times it just feels like I’m quiet, but people that know me know. It’s just that now my team and I are trying to shift that perspective and show who I actually am. I’m not going to just go online and start chatting if I don’t have anything to say. I’d rather be quiet than talk nonsense. So most times, when I have a lot of things to figure out, I go quiet. It’s just because I don’t have much to say, and I’d rather just be quiet than say nonsense. 

I guess it’s fair to say you have a restrained personality? 

Yeah

So how do you balance that personality with being a superstar? 

There’s no balance. Every day I’m figuring it out. It’s all about figuring it out, and that’s what my team and I have been doing. There’s no balance for things like this. The only thing is we all agree that when there’s nothing to be said, we don’t go around saying nonsense. 

I’m curious. What does a regular day in your life look like? 

Once I’m up, I listen to some worship songs, or sing the ones that come to my mind. And then I read the Bible and pray. And then I read a book. Then I check my phone, see what messages need to be replied to, check my schedule, know what I need to do, and then I go for what’s happening. If it’s a session, I prepare for a session. If it’s a meeting, I prepare for the meeting. If I don’t have anything scheduled, I’m in the studio making music or I’m home watching a movie. I love watching movies. 

What movie have you seen recently that captured your imagination? 

House of David. That’s one that has filled my imagination with thoughts. House of David and The Middle. My favourite series of all time, though, is The Good Doctor. It’s not the most popular series, but it’s my favourite series of all time. 

So when you want to unwind or disappear, you just watch movies? 

Not necessarily watch movies. I just am by myself. I’m great at enjoying my own company. So it’s not just movies, but you’d mostly find me watching something, reading a book, or just doing things within my own space. It’s a really cool thing. If I’m not feeling good, though, I go home and hang with my brothers. Family is the best place to be when you’re not feeling good. If you’re not feeling good, you don’t stay by yourself. I like to record as well. I record a lot. Right now I’m working on my album, so it’s a lot of recording. I also recently adopted two new things. This year I started painting. I never knew I could paint. There are so many things I never knew I could do until I started doing them. I started painting, and it has just been amazing, and now I’m trying to explore it even more. I’ve fallen in love with it.

But of all the new things I’ve started doing, the best is French. I started taking French classes at Alliance Française in Ikoyi. I went to Paris last year and fell in love with the French culture, and it’s been a blessing. I thought it was just Paris at first, but then I went to the Ivory Coast, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ It’s not just Paris; it’s the French culture I’m in love with. So I started taking French classes, and God has been faithful; I’ve been learning a lot. 

It’s funny you mention going to Paris last year because I was going to ask; you spent most of last year on the road. You did an African tour and a European tour as well. What was it like being on the road, experiencing different cultures and connecting with your fans around the world?

I give all the glory to God. It was definitely something to do with a notepad in hand. You go around learning, you see new people and you get a new sense of what identity means. A new idea of what it means to express yourself and get a new sense of what community is. It was amazing. I felt so honoured for that to happen to me. It’s always a blessing when I go somewhere new and I just know it’s a different lifestyle from the one I was accustomed to. Like I said, it’s something you move around with a notepad in hand. 

How did that experience shape or influence your perspective?

Heavily. Like I said, I never knew I connected more to a different culture than the one I was accustomed to. I never knew I could really identify myself with the French culture this much. It just felt so natural I had to build on that. There are so many things that are strikingly different from what you’re accustomed to. It’s just about moving around and allowing yourself to learn new things and unlearn some other things. But no matter what, your soul is your soul. Nothing can take away your soul. But you have to open yourself to learn, unlearn and re-learn. 

What is it about French culture that has drawn you to it? 

I don’t know, bro (laughs). I’ll be real: it’s the lifestyle. I think the lifestyle I experience is the one I’m comfortable with. It’s the one that suits my personality. It’s the lifestyle; you just can’t put it into words. You just know, “Oh, this is cool.” It’s just that I feel a sense of belonging with the lifestyle. Me being a Nigerian is such a blessing, so having another place where you feel like you can also comfortably stay here and identify with another culture even as a Nigerian is a good thing. Because nothing can change the fact that I’m a Nigerian, nothing can take that away. 

It’s crazy to think it’s been four years since you broke out. Within four years we’ve seen you go from a rookie to a star performing in cities across the world. How would you describe these last four years of your life?

It’s been the grace of God and his mercies. Because moving around, the kind of places I’ve been to, and the kind of stages I’ve performed on, I always look at it like, ‘Wow, that is a blessing.’ I’ve been blown away because it’s been four years of consistent growth. He’s been able to make sure every year you’re not seeing a lesser version of me; you’re seeing a higher version. I just align myself, basically. I just align. 

What’s the most important lesson the last four years have taught you?

There are a lot of things you should not think about too much, just do it. Take the action. If you’re going to fail, fail early. If you’re going to succeed, succeed and go higher. Don’t stay too long

deciding what the best option is. There is no best. Just keep building yourself. I’ve learnt over time that if you’re sure you’re not the one in control, just decide on the best step and take it. Don’t take too long trying to make one great decision and then make the right decision at the wrong time because the moment for that decision has already passed. 

And also, surround yourself with the right people. Not the best people. The right people. The right people can be just one person. You don’t need the best everywhere. You just need the right ones. They’re the right ones in the good times, and they’re the right ones in the bad times. They’re right ones when you’re on fire and they’re right ones when you’re feeling down. You need a circle that allows you to express yourself and also knows when to tell you how things should be done. People that believe in you even on the days you don’t necessarily believe in yourself. 

Trust me, one of the best gifts you can have as an artist is the gift of men. It’s a blessing if you can have the gift of men. You don’t need everybody to see your vision. You just need someone, or some people, that see it and work with it. 

How have you been able to keep evolving creatively while still maintaining that depth that makes people connect with your music? 

I’m grateful. I hope and always pray that continues to happen. But I don’t have the strategy. I know I’m blessed and I work with a lot of people who contribute to that. In the first part of my career I worked with some A&Rs, and I worked with A-Q. Now I have a new A&R, and God has been faithful. We’re still creating with that depth, like you called it. I’m happy; you can see I have a smile on my face. Thinking about it, I don’t have a strategy for you there, I’m sorry (laughs). I’ve worked with a lot of people, and even though I don’t work with them anymore, I should still give them credit because they were part of it too. 

Congratulations on your new single, Sesi. It’s different from what we’ve got from you previously, but it’s still you. What’s the story behind that record, and how did it come together? 

I was in a recording camp, and my A&R was playing the beat. I kept hearing the melody for the hook, but I didn’t have words for it; I just kept hearing a melody in my head. And then there was a beautiful girl in the studio, an amazing artist named Cara, and I told her to just sing the melody. She did it, and I recorded immediately after. I made the song in January of last year. 

Why did it feel like now was the right time to put it out and that it was the right single? 

Honestly, I didn’t want to put it out because I didn’t like it. This song is only out because of my team. They were really able to show me how I needed to look at it, and I eventually said, ‘Okay.’

But I really didn’t like it. We like to say, “Let’s try new stuff,” but I’m also human, so I was like, “It’s nice, but is it TAR1Q?” And then when they broke it down for me, I got it. And now seeing the response, it’s given me so much confidence. I’m back here working on my album, and it just feels good to know people are out there listening. 

It’s a Fuji record but crafted with contemporary elements. Is that a direction you are looking to explore further on the album? 

No. This is not an Adekunle Gold album; that’s a masterpiece on its own. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to my dad, and I’ve also spent a good amount of time in Lagos. My dad is Yoruba, so I’ve learnt a lot about the Yoruba culture. You know, originally, I didn’t know much about it because I 

wasn’t living in Lagos; I was living in Asaba. So moving back to Lagos and living with my dad, and then eventually living alone. Being able to connect with my dad and understand a lot of things, that’s what the album is basically about. Okada Airlines was more about my roots, living in Delta State and Benin. But for the album, it’s more of an encapsulation of everything I’ve become. Who I am now as a young Nigerian – that’s what the album is about. I can categorically tell you now, you’ll not hear any Fuji on my album, outside of Sesi. 

But there’s going to be a lot of Yoruba culture woven into it?

Yeah. As the spirit leads. I love the approach we’ve taken to making this album. Because even I don’t know what to expect. We’ve been on it for a long time, and we’re about to conclude. All I can say is I’m thankful. I’m thankful that these ideas are coming out. For the people I’ve been able to work with. It’s a blessing to me that I have these values and codes of conduct that I live my life by in every sphere, and I’m trying to put it into 13 or 14 songs. I’m excited. 

We’re expecting the album this year, right? 

Definitely. Sooner rather than later. Q3. 

Nice. You’ve been leaning into the Zuko character lately. What is it about that character that draws you in? 

Hot boy (laughs). Unlike the Avatar, Aang knew his destiny from the start. He knew what he was sent to do; he knew what he was meant to do. Zuko didn’t know anything. Zuko wanted to be a king, and then he didn’t want to be king because he didn’t like what his father was doing. Then he wanted to kill the Avatar. He just didn’t know what his destiny was, and he had to let go and figure out who he actually was. I connect to that 129%. I never grew up saying this is exactly who I’m going to be. My life is not even in my hands, so I never knew for sure what I was here to do. That’s why I connect to Zuko. I connected to him purely because he had to go through a

period of figuring out who he really is. And that’s how I see myself as well. And also the hot boy part (laughs). 

You think you’ve had to figure it out at every step of the way? 

I’m not going to say it at every step of the way. I’ve been guided; God has been faithful. For example, there’s a period in my life I couldn’t even sing; I didn’t have a voice. But as time passed, I figured myself out more and more. That’s why I like this album because I sort of have a clear idea of what my values are. That’s why I say Zuko, because he was able to figure out who he was and what he was supposed to do. 

There’s this idea of you as one of this generation’s “new school lover boys”. What do you think about that, and do you see yourself as a lover boy?

I hope that more people say it so that in my life, I can experience true love. I think it would be a beautiful thing: a beautiful wife and some children and just living somewhere private, being a good dad and husband. So to everyone who thinks I’m one of the new school loveboys, please keep praying for that to happen in real life. 

So what’s your idea of being a loverboy? Because your love songs often leave room for contradictions here and there. 

I am just TAR1Q. I don’t have a formula for what it means to be a lover boy. Maybe I’d say just be true to someone. That’s the one thing I’ve been working on the most. I think it’s just important to be true to someone. If I’m going to say anything about love, it’s just to be true. The reason people say my love songs are unorthodox? I think it’s because most times the things that come to me to sing about are not the typical “I love you and you have my heart.” What comes to me are real-life scenarios. Like, why am I saying I can die for you when I know I can’t? But I can just tell you you’re with my friend, but he’s the wrong person for you, and I am the right one. And people would be like, ‘Oh, why would I say that?’ Because I know how I feel.

I can be the one for you. But above all that, I think it’s just being true to someone. And honestly, as I’m growing, I’m learning more about what it means to be true to someone, and I’ve found that being true to someone is actually love. 

You’ve touched on societal issues in your music at different moments. How important is it for you to use music as a vehicle for change? 

Definitely. The storytelling on the album is one of the reasons we haven’t submitted it. I’m very keen to make sure that when people hear it, they understand what I’m trying to say, my values, what I believe in, what I’ve seen. I think that music is not just something you trivialise. You have to send a message even in the smallest way possible. You can send a message; you can send an emotion. And if you can’t send an emotion, tell the truth and let it be. 

Do you have a name for the album? 

I saw the Sun. It’s the end of “Son of the Moon” because “I saw the Sun”. I can’t wait for the world to listen. 

Words + Interview by Jacob Philemon 

Check out TAR1Q’s new single ‘Sesi’ below: