Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
Hi Fola, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Vents, I’m blessed! Can’t complain. First, thank you for having me. Extremely honored. Hope all is well.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Eternal Eight”?
Eternal Eight has two different versions including an acoustic one. It’s an heartfelt song, that’s a reminder that eternal things are worth our main focus. Life is too precious, and tomorrow’s never promised. This single actually inspired the album title to be written as “Eternal 8”.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
My entire life was building towards it, primarily as a professional basketball player. I always felt I will be a great N** player someday but I was clear that I didn’t want to compromise my belief in Jesus Christ in order to get there. I’m 28 years old, currently an unrestricted free agent that finally got to workout for Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets Affiliate) and Aqua Caliente Clippers (LA Clipper Affiliate) this month of September 2022. God has been patiently working on me. When you’re in that waiting period for your dreams to come to fruition, it can feel lonely at times but I knew finding the reassurance in Jesus felt great!
My on-court jersey number is #8. Recently, I decided to go from #24 to #8, for 3 main reasons. First, the number 8 symbolizes new beginnings and, if you turn it sideways, it looks like the infinity sign. Lastly, my favorite player, the great Kobe Bryant’s jersey number used to be #8 before he became #24, so in a way it’s a homage to him for my respects as teacher in the game of basketball. I was really affected when Kobe Bryant died in 2020, I felt I was meant to meet him and never did. And hence, “Eternal Eight” made sense. It’s the first of its kind.
Any plans to release a video for the track?
Actually, there are already two official music videos out now. Both for the album version and the acoustic version. You can find it on my YouTube Channel : FJB TV or www.youtube.com/FJBTV. Make sure to subscribe, like, and comment on free content. There are currently other music videos from “Eternal 8” you’ll enjoy on the Youtube Channel, in addition to staying updated on upcoming/new music videos I will be releasing soon.
Why naming the album after this song in particular?
It represents who I am in its essence, it’s a memorable title that people can identify with. I also vowed to make meaningful projects that age like wine and get better and better every time you listen to it. That’s why our independent label is called Iconic Records and Sounds. “Eternal 8” is not only a reminder for others, but a reminder for me, which makes the whole project a point of reference to go back to when things aren’t going so well in life. For example, I have a song on there called “Forgiveness” (be sure to watch the music video coming out son). That songs remind you to forgive others like Christ teach us to. I go back to that song sometimes whenever I’m trying to find an excuse not to forgive someone who offended me. It keeps me grounded to know, I’m in no position to judge or condemn.
How was the recording and writing process?
The writing process took 30 minutes. Some of the songs just came straight to me once I heard the music. In fact, I had to ask myself several times “did I write this?” The answer is no, I felt that God had taken my hand and started writing the lyrics for me. The recording process took 6 months. As a perfectionist, I just wanted the album to sound as amazing as possible with high quality mixing and mastering.
What made you want to go a slightly new direction with this record?
The genre for this album is Afro-beat, Afro-Gospel. As a classical composer off-court, I tend to focus more on instrumentals with no words. I have composed for short films that would air in the TCL Chinese theater. My compositions always had titles that reference the love of God such as “Glorify Christ” and “Fruitful”. However, this time around I felt people needed to hear the message directly, my voice as an instrument. As an American-Nigerian, I grew up on West African music, so it was a no-brainer to go back into my roots with a little fuse of soul, jazz, and 80s music I enjoyed growing up with in New York.
What role does New York play in your music?
New York played a huge role in my music, from birth my Father was always playing artists like Yinka Ayefele, Ebenezer Obey, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Motown, Doo Wop, Quincy Jones. Before I could walk, barely crawling, I started beating on pots and pans in the middle in the night trying to re-create the sounds I hear by ear. At age 4, I got my first full drum-set, started to get really good at it, and joined the church choir. As I got older, my love for basketball grew. I was in the newspaper a lot, breaking school records. So essentially I was in the gym Monday-Saturday and playing the drums at church on Sunday. No one but my Dad and close friends knew about my musical talents. In high school, I would do a couple of talent shows with my friends for fun which always got a huge applaud from the audience, but no one really knew. However with being in charge of choreographing and hand-selecting the songs we used for those acts, I believe those experiences contributed to where I am today.
Overall, New York was such a diverse place with beautiful good-hearted people and I got along with every culture. Every culture loved me, I loved their music and whenever I’m creating music I’m inspired by genres such Tejano, Reggae, Country, Classical, 50s, House, Salsa, Indian, Hip Hop, and many more.
Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
Mainly based off my personal relationship with Christ. Whenever I hear music or compose music, I am able to translate that unconditional love he gives to me. Of course, I try to feel the songs out by humming melodies and then I fill in the lyrics afterwards.
What else is happening next in FJB The Composer’s world?
A lot of new music videos, new features, live performances coming up. My wife “Ariella Branco”, and I recently performed in Santa Monica, California. This particular venue, we will be performing there every 3 months. You can add me on Instagram @realFJB, to stay up to date or you can email me at [email protected] for our newsletter.
BREAKING NEWS on VENTS: I have a new Afro-Gospel album coming out 2024, titled “Jesus Is My Composer” #JMC or #JMCFJB , which will be probably be my last vocal album and then afterwards I’ll strictly be doing instrumentals to focus on composing for productions along side my basketball career. I will be previewing songs from this new album at some of our live performances in addition to the whole “Eternal 8” album. So stay tuned, subscribe to FJB TV, connect with me on all social platforms @realFJB for new event updates.
Our performances feature a live band, and additional choir singers occasionall, guaranteeing you the best quality sound and experience out there.
Thank you for having me VENTS!
Support FJB The Composer on Social Media
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Watch FJB The Composer
Listen to more of FJB The Composer
