Five minutes with Minz — The afrofusion artist can be found where hustle meets art

More than once, afrofusion artist Minz has been dubbed “your favourite artist’s favourite artist”. The reason lies somewhere between the Lagos-native artist’s masterful blurring of genres (a product of his pan-national roots and studio stints in Berlin) and Minz’s deep personal narratives — the themes that underpin his debut album, By Any Minz. Here, he sits down with HUNGER for an exclusive chat about getting vulnerable through music, laying a new blueprint for afrofusion and making it by any means possible.

By Any Minz is a major milestone in your career. How does it feel to finally release your debut album, and what message do you want listeners to take away from it?

Releasing By Any Minz is a dream come true for me. It’s been a long journey filled with ups and downs, so seeing it finally out there is like a weight lifted and a moment of pride. I want listeners to feel the resilience and determination that went into this project. Every track reflects a different chapter of my life, and my hope is that people can relate to it, feel inspired to pursue their goals and understand that, with hard work and faith, anything is possible. By any means – or should I say, by any Minz – you can make it.

What inspired the name of the album, and how does it encapsulate your journey as an artist?

The title is deeply personal. It represents my mindset throughout this journey as an artist. I’ve faced a lot – doubts, challenges, and moments of uncertainty – but I’ve always believed in my craft and worked hard to improve myself. This name is a declaration of my drive to succeed and break boundaries. It’s about never giving up, no matter the obstacles. By Any Minz is not just an album title — it’s my life story in three words.

The album features collaborations with names like Davido, Tekno and Oxlade. What was the most surprising or inspiring moment from working with these artists?

Working with these legends was both humbling and inspiring. Seeing their dedication to their craft showed me why they’re at the top. One moment that stood out was with Tekno during “diallo”. His energy was unmatched, and the way he immediately connected with the song elevated it to a whole new level. With Davido on “wap”, I learned so much about performance and delivery. These sessions were a reminder that true greatness comes from passion and hard work.

You also worked with globally-known producers like BGRZ and Rugged. How did these collaborations influence the sound and direction of the album?

Each producer brought something unique to the table. BGRZ has this soulful, R&B influence that gave tracks like “wo wo” and “lon3ly” their depth and texture. Rugged’s approach is vibrant and dynamic, which you can hear in songs like “ja”. And working with 255 in Berlin was unforgettable — those guys are bringing fresh perspectives to afrobeats. These collaborations pushed me to explore new sounds while staying rooted in my afrofusion essence.

Tracks like “shadow” and “lon3ly” seem deeply personal. What life experiences or emotions fueled these songs, and how vulnerable were you willing to get on this project?

“shadow” reflects my journey — dealing with doubt, proving myself and finding my voice despite the challenges. It’s a message to anyone who’s ever felt underestimated. “lon3ly”, on the other hand, is about heartbreak and regret, inspired by my own mistakes in love. I wanted to be as honest as possible because music is about connecting through shared experiences. Vulnerability was essential for this album. I wanted people to feel every word and every note.

Your music has a strong pan-African spirit. How important is it for you to represent the continent in your sound, and what do you hope to communicate through this representation of the continent?

Representing Africa is everything to me. It’s who I am, and my heritage is my foundation. Tracks like “diallo” and “low” celebrate the rhythms, language and vibrancy of Nigeria and the continent as a whole. My goal is to give the world an authentic taste of our culture while showing that African music is diverse and limitless. It’s about telling our stories in a way that resonates globally.

From highlife to afro R&B to EDM-inspired tracks like “sokoto”, you explore a wide range of genres. How do you balance innovation with staying true to your afrofusion roots?

It’s all about understanding my roots while staying open to experimenting. Afrofusion allows me to blend different influences while keeping the core essence of African music. On a song like “sokoto”, I’m showing my willingness to push boundaries, while on “Shadow”, I’m in my element, thriving on afrobeats and highlife vibes. It’s all about balance, which I enjoy finding — it’s how I express my versatility as an artist.

You’ve described your sound as the “new sound of Lagos”. How does the city influence your music, and what role does your cultural heritage play in shaping your artistry?

Lagos is a melting pot of energy, creativity and resilience. It’s where hustle meets art, and that’s reflected in my music. The city’s vibrancy and unpredictability inspired tracks like “low” and “Do”. As a Yoruba prince from Ibadan, my heritage adds another layer of depth to my sound. Whether it’s through language, rhythms or storytelling, my culture is always at the heart of what I create.

You’ve been called “your favourite artist’s favourite artist”. How do you handle the pressure of that reputation, and what do you think sets your artistry apart in the afrobeats space?

It’s an honour to be seen in that light, but it also comes with responsibility. For me, the focus is always on making authentic music that connects with people. I think what sets me apart is my ability to merge introspective lyrics with infectious beats. I’m not afraid to experiment or be vulnerable in my music, and that honesty resonates with both listeners and peers in the industry.

With your debut album now out, what’s next for Minz? Are there any specific goals, projects or collaborations you’re looking forward to in the near future?

The journey is just beginning. We’re planning a By Any Minz tour, and I can’t wait to connect with fans across the world. More visuals are coming too — I’ve shot videos for most of the album tracks. Beyond that, I’m excited to keep collaborating and exploring new soundscapes. There’s so much more music in me, and I’m eager to share it.