Mighty Koba Talks Visuals for Single ‘2 Many’ feat. Jaey London

Those who grew up listening to all the best 2000s hits can speak of the infectious releases and the popularity of the music. Anyone trying to relive the musical glory days of that decade and get a taste of the vibes of industry greats ⁠— like Usher⁠— needs to have a listen to up-and-coming afro-fusion star Mighty Koba. Born Ernest Nguatem in Cameroon, Africa, and currently residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, music has always been a key component of his upbringing. He initially discovered his passion for music through dance, looking up to the renowned talents of Michael Jackson from a young age. Now, dancing is of utmost importance in his creative process of making songs, as he puts the choreography before songwriting, singing, and other components. His latest single, “2 Many,” featuring Jaey London (Justin Onyewuchi), showcases all that makes his art unique, special, and reminiscent of the 2000s popular music. With London’s production expertise behind this track, Mighty Koba is learning all the important tricks of the trade and making his way as a contemporary artist that exudes the best nostalgic vibes from a highlight stage in music history.

Bringing together the contemporary and the nostalgic, “2 Many” offers the perfect balance between the most beloved features of the music of today and yesterday. The Zulu XL (Ramses Nguatem)-produced backing track with the smooth and meaningful yet catchy vocals aligns with the early aughts R&B style Mighty Koba found great inspiration from. However, the message packs a more modern perspective. Time and time again, there have been songs exploring the objectification of women by men. Instead, “2 Many” ponders the aftermath of a steamy nightclub encounter that ponders what happens when the roles are reversed. Overall, Mighty Koba’s effortless collaboration with London manifests throughout “2 Many.” The song is just perfect for the club scene with an Afrobeat vibe that makes it inclusive across all cultures.

The Hype Magazine got Mighty Koba to weigh in on a few things

When did you discover your passion and talent for making music? What draws you into this particular genre and style above all others?

My love for music stemmed from my love for dancing. Ever since I was little, In Cameroon, I loved watching idols like Michael Jackson and I would mimic his dance moves. The positive energy and uplighting vibrations of Afrobeat draws me to it above all other styles. And the drum patterns force me to move my feet. It’s a type of healing for me, cures my stress and allows me to live in the moment.

Where did you find inspiration for “2 Many”? What makes this single stand out among other pop/R&B and dance tracks that are popular now?

I found inspiration in my memories of early 2000s club songs, and wanted to blend that with my afro background. One of the first people that came to mind was Usher. The difference is the blend of afro rhythm with pop/r&b vocals. When you experience the track, you’ll hear something that sounds familiar and new at the same time.

Why did you find it so important to have an Afrobeat-based backing track for this single? What does this mean to you, and how do you envision it affecting listeners’ connection to the song?

An afrobeat-based track is very important to me, it is what connects me to my music, my style of dance, and my ability to connect. When my producer Zulu XL, Ramses Nguatem, is creating the beat, I must be able to dance to it first, before I even think about the direction I want to take the lyrics. When the final project is complete, I ensure I am able to connect to listeners in 3 major ways, sonically, verbally, and visually.

What was it like collaborating with Jaey London? How did you two meet and connect through music, and how did teaming up enhance the greatness that is “2 Many”?

Working with Jaey London was a blessing. I have been following his music for a while and I am a big fan. Being introduced by his management, High Power Management, we instantly grew a connection due to our similar backgrounds. We embraced and paid a lot of respect to each other’s unique sounds and talents. Jaey London, Justin Onyewuchi, is a man of many hats in the music industry. He is a singer, rapper ,producer and engineer who is creating his own genre of music. We learned a lot from each other and as both were students to each other’s talents.

How did the music video for “2 Many” meet and exceed your initial visions and expectations? What was it like executing the energetic, compelling choreography to your song in the club scene?

This music video began with sketches of scene ideas on paper. It’s actually unbelievable we can hold the sketches up and be able to see how the videographer brought it to life. The long-term relationships I have built with the dancers and our years of performing together made the choreography very special. We were able to execute the dance visuals of the video in 3 takes, a total of 10-15 minutes max. The dance performance was actually a live performance as well, as we performed it on the night of the release party and that was the visuals that made it on the final music video. Overall, a very pleasant experience working with the videographer, Kai Supreme. He is a very talented human being, his creativity, his lighting expertise, vision, and a strong level of compuser during the chaos of a club.

Do you have any works in progress fans and followers can be on the lookout for?

Yes Yes Yes, I am working on a visual project. If you love the visuals of 2 Many, I’m so excited to show you what I have coming. Bringing my music to life is so thrilling. My next release is very deep and personal to me. “2 Many” was for the people, my next single is for me, my country, and anyone who resonates with the message. Hopefully, the entire world can resonate.

Follow Mighty Koba:
https://www.instagram.com/mighty_koba/
https://www.tiktok.com/@mighty_koba

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Tags: 2 Many, Featured Interview, Mighty Koba

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.