Bianca Adanna Okorocha is a Nigerian alternative rock and “Afro-rock” artist known by her real name, Klaylox.
Her sound is a fusion of Igbo language, elements of local pidgin tribes, and punk rock.
Her latest work is an 8-track EP titled Hate It Here. Released in the second quarter of 2024, the film deftly depicts loss, disillusionment, and fleeting romance within its 25-minute running time.
We spoke to Clayrocks about Hate It Here, Nigeria’s rock music scene, going against the grain, and building a creative community.
Please introduce yourself.
My name is Clairox. I’m a Sagittarius, I’m from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria, and I live in Lagos.
Describe your life in one word or sentence.Art, pain, empathy, passion, nonconformity, resilience.
Please tell us about your latest work, “Hate It Here” in your own words.
‘Hate It Here’ is more than just my second studio EP, it’s about the harsh reality of growing up too fast and the overwhelming feeling of realizing that adulthood isn’t the dream you previously imagined. It reflects a great disappointment. This is an emotional journey through a world filled with hate, pain, conflict, deception, and heartbreak.
This EP explores the struggles and struggles of inadequate infrastructure, continued corrupt governance, systemic multifaceted poverty, religious captivity, the slow erosion of the middle class, and the sad migration of bright minds from their homeland. However, it captures the struggles of being a millennial in Nigeria. . It is the raw expression of my inner child’s heartfelt desire for peace, love, and true humanity.
Where did this EP come from and what inspired it?
Many frustrations inspired Hate It Here.
Growing up in Nigeria, pursuing a rock career, embracing my African-ness, and learning that the world was never a better place.
How was your writing process different from your debut project (Road Less Traveled)?
Although the two processes are similar, the motivation and artistry are very different.
Road Less Traveled was more of a collection of songs. The “dislikes” here are very personal, and the songs reflect how I’ve grown as a person and as an artist. There’s more vulnerability and transparency in my lyrics.
Did you have any creative blocks?
There was no creative block at all. We recorded 15 songs for this EP, but in the end we settled on 8 tracks. This was a struggle with my team because I felt 8 songs were too many for an EP, but I won, hahahahaha.
What passage from the EP best describes why you agreed to contribute to the world with this body of work?
“In the end, we cannot escape death, love will save us and save us from life.”
Track 1 – We Got Love.
You call your genre “Afro-rock.” Would you like to summarize it in a paragraph?
Afro-rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in West Africa in the 1970s. In recent years, it has evolved into a direct mix of Western rock music and African instrumental music (particularly Afrobeat). Artists like myself, Jungle Age, Tayo Creed, The Recurrence, Zainab Sule, The Isomers, etc., challenge the notion that rock is purely Western music. The goal is to create a genre that resonates with listeners around the world and allow listeners to experience new stories in the rock genre while showcasing Africa.
Some people feel that Nigerian rock music is a recent phenomenon. What do you say to dispel this notion in light of activities like the Lijadu Sisters over the past few decades?
People think rock music is new to Nigeria, but it’s not. Even if it’s not mainstream, rock’s roots are here. Look at the Lijadu Sisters, the Funkies, OFO, Black Company and more. They were blending funk, Afrobeats, and psychedelic rock all the way back in the 70s. They were pioneers in bringing rock elements into Nigerian music long before most people thought rock elements existed in Nigerian music.
Rock has always been part of Africa’s soundscape. The problem is that it hasn’t become a mainstream genre here like Afrobeats or highlife, so it’s often ignored or ignored. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t here all along, as Fela Kuti drew inspiration from jazz and funk. Rock has always been with us. All you have to do is look beyond the mainstream.
What we’re doing now in Afro Rock isn’t starting something new, it’s just carrying the torch forward.
The mid-2010s saw a brief explosion in Nigeria’s rock scene with events such as Rocktoberfest and Metal & Romance. The wedding became a hot topic on the internet and was even featured in Rolling Stone magazine. What do you think caused the decline, and are there any hopes for a recovery?
This decline was due to the industry and sponsors focusing on Afrobeat, which was booming at the time, as rock music was not mainstream in Nigeria. And that is exactly the problem with the Nigerian industry right now, there seems to be a lack of structure. Everything is centered around one genre, as if 230 million Nigerians only like listening to Afrobeats. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, despite having small populations, have thriving communities in other genres outside of those that thrive in the mainstream.
But the resurrection is here! Interest in Afro-rock is growing and the passion is still undiminished. All that matters is finding the right support and space to continue building your scene.
You’ve hinted at building a community of Afro-rock artists and documenting the journey of recording artists in the same genre. Could you please elaborate on this?
I would like to call this the third resurgence of rock music in Nigeria, or the “Third Wave.” The first wave was in the 70s and the second wave was in the early 2000s. When we thought about why the early waves struggled, it was clear that we lacked a strong sense of community. This time, we are determined to change that. We artists work closely together to build a unified fan base and community. We host rock events twice a month, giving us a space to support each other and grow the scene together. ”
Considering your genre isn’t necessarily mainstream, what would you say to someone who wants to follow an unconventional path like you?
You have to be authentic and you have to be resilient. It’s never an easy path. Rest when you get tired, but don’t stop moving. Finally, define success by your own measurements, not the world’s.
know you
What TV show/movie are you currently watching? Hannibal (series)
What are you reading? The relationship between narcissism and empathy.
What’s on your playlist right now? I’m currently listening to Kalam Eineh by Sherine. It’s an incredibly beautiful Arab song, oh my!
What’s on your bucket list? Parachuting.
What was the last live music event you saw? Rock Night is a bi-weekly rock show that I host.
Celebrate others… Sharipopi. That person is amazing! He’s a shaker, a mover, a trailblazer! Awesome.
Celebrate yourself…well…hehe…I’m currently on the Grammy consideration ballot. Although this hasn’t been nominated (yet), it’s a big deal for independent artists from Nigeria. It also won Africa’s biggest award (Africa Award) in the Best African Rock category.
What’s next? We are still pushing the EP and Afro-rock genre.
Where can I find it?Klaylox. on all streaming and social media platforms.
Where can we see you at work? Come to Rock Night on the second and last Thursday of every month. The setting is Hard Rock Cafe in Lagos.
“Hate It Here” is available to stream on all music platforms. Clayrocksu can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
