One Night’ marks the first time in CDQ’s illustrious career that he raps entirely in English. Known for his dynamic Yoruba flows and street anthems, CDQis stepping into new territory, showcasing his versatility and ambition to connect with a global audience.
The track is an infectious blend of contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and afrobeats, driven by lush acoustic guitars, infectious drum patterns, and a sprinkle of vibrant trumpets, with Serenita’s enchanting vocals perfectly complementing CDQ’s rap verses.
CDQ’s journey in the music industry is nothing short of remarkable. From his early beginnings as a backup singer for the legendary DaGrin to becoming a trailblazer in indigenous rap, CDQ has consistently pushed the boundaries of African rap music.
What’s your new single ‘ONE NIGHT’ all about?
‘One Night’ is about pleading for a chance to prove how you can love someone better if given just one night
What made you want to rap fully in English this time?
I decided to rap fully in English this time because the market is now so open that we’re not just singing only for the locals only to understand anymore, but we’re now singing for the world at large!
Do you plan on keeping your signature Yoruba flow in your future records in some capacity?
Absolutely, I’m still going to do more records infusing my Yoruba dialect and culture after I’ve been able to gather more fans around the world as I’d love them to know more about my culture.
As an indigenous rap artist, who were some of your influences growing up as an artist?
Some of my influences includes Late Alh Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Ebenezer Obey, Wasiu Ayinde, Pasuma, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Notorious B.I.G, Tupac Shakur, Nas, Bone Thugs n Harmony, Eminem, 50 Cent, Rick Ross and many more.
What was it like collaborating with Serenita?
I’ve always loved working with new artists because their minds are undiluted yet with many things, unlike a ready made artist. So working with Serenita gave me that truthfulness and sincerity in the message and delivery.
The track has a very R&B-esque backdrop, what inspired that sonic direction?
I’ve been wanting to do a song that will serenade the ladies so I can be able to harness more female fans, so it’s only right to do so with such an R&B sound.
How has your artistry evolved since your beginnings as an artist?
My artistry has evolved due to me understanding what my target audience is, and of course because of time. As an economist by profession, I just know when to tilt in my craft according to the times we are living in.
What other creative areas and sounds do you think you will explore in the future?
I’m a very versatile artist which may sometimes be contrary to how people know or perceive me lol. I can literally rap on Blues, Apala, Juju, Electronic music, EDM, and so on… so in the near future, I’ll be exploring different sounds as the inspiration leads.
