It’s always rare and exciting to discover someone with as much boundless talent and energy as Nigeria’s Eva Alordiah. With a lyrical and musical quality reminiscent of Nicki Minaj, and a fashion sense similar to Rihanna, it’s hard to know what she’ll hit us with next. Already achieving national stardom with her new LP The GIGO (standing for “garbage in, garbage out”), she also runs a makeup-servicing company on the side. Adding to her extensive list of experiences, in 2009, she also graduated from Bowen University with a degree in computer science and information technology, doubtless contributing to her unique production style.

In 2009, Eva first made her name known and proved herself as a rap heavyweight with her debut “I der Play.” The single sampled Lil’ Wayne’s “A Mille,” and was inspired by Nigerian icon M.I. with the help of Tha Suspect. Later that year she went on to remix “Owo ati Swagger” with CartiAir and Dagrin, among others. In fact, the remix proved so popular that it was nominated for awards at both the BET Hiphop Awards and The Soundcity Music Video Awards. “Owo ati Swagger” secured her place in Nigeria’s hip-hop hierarchy, and she became a household name.

Since then, Eva hasn’t stopped, or even slowed down. Her debut The GIGO demonstrated that, while most of today’s music is consumed by a heavy beat and loud repeating riffs, her music is centered around the lyrics and cutting-edge production. Her LP like everything else about her, is extremely vibrant and varied, never seeming content to stick with one style, it instead jumping around from one influence to the next, from hip-hop to rap to reggae and even local influences. On GIGO, even used four different producers for nine tracks, all from Nigeria.

INTERVIEW
Against the Grain with Nigeria’s Rising MC, Eva

VIDEO
Eva–High

–Written by Ronan Daly