Meet Odey John Ogar, better known as Face B, a Nigerian singer and songwriter with roots in Yala, Cross River State. Growing up immersed in music, Face B has nurtured a passion that began in childhood, blossoming into a career inspired by freedom, life experiences, and a commitment to authenticity. From his early days recording with mixtapes to developing his unique genre, “AfroMessage,” he’s crafted a sound that combines Afrobeats, R&B, and African cultural influences. In this interview, Face B opens up about his musical journey, the inspiration behind his upcoming album, AfroMessage, and his vision to amplify Africa’s musical heritage.
TCA: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into the music industry?
Face B: I am Odey John Ogar (born 30 April) known professionally as Face
B, I am a Nigerian singer and songwriter. I am a native of Yala in Cross River State, I am the son of Late Mr. Odey Thomas Ogar also known as 7square and Mrs. Maria Odey Agbaka.
My musical journey began when I was a boy although I am still a boy (smiles). I started writing songs and singing at the age of 11 and I recorded my first song at the age of 15. (A mixtape with Lill Wayne’s song instrumental “I’m me” I graduated in 2017 as a Ceramic Technologist and completed National Youth Service on April 19th 2019. I am an Entrepreneur and a professional musician.
TCA: What inspired you to pursue music as a career, and when did you know it was your passion?
Face B: What inspired me into doing music is Freedom and Experiences, being able to express my life experiences both in my personal life, in the lifestyle of the society, people, and the environment I live, in my thoughts and in my imaginations through music is my inspiration. The ability to create is the right to freedom because if a person has the ability to create, they will always tend to make the best of their creation according to their personality and experiences, Creativity is an inspiration, there is always a source and the content of a source can only be delivered through connective channels. Music to me is a spiritual thing.
TCA: When did you professionally start making music?
Face B: I started making music professionally in the year 2013 in the city of Port Harcourt. My first professional songs where produced by Prinx Emmanuel (the now gospel singer)
TCA: How would you describe your sound or style to someone who hasn’t heard your music before?
Face B: My musical genre merges Afrobeats, RnB & a fusion of pop music into the African style of music and culture. Generally, I classify my musical Genre as AfroMessage.
TCA: Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
Face B: My biggest musical influences are, firstly, 2face Idibia, I grew up listening to 2face songs mostly in his 2006 album “Grass 2 Grace” 2008 “The Unstoppable” and listening to them everyday by day made me understood his music and the purpose. I could sing them words by words then and it helped to reflect on his story in the songs. As a matter a fact, I choose the name Face B because growing up, my dream was to be like 2face and more. I then thought that since he is bearing the name 2face, I can’t bear face2, then I quickly chose the alphabet B which represents 2 on the alphabetical linings. So the name Face B (laughs). In 2012 Dami Duro by Davido was another big influence in my musical mind because it’s a song I heard the first time and I immediately I could sing and vibe with it like it’s my original song. D’banj, Wande Coal of the Mo’hits records together with Don Jazzy increased my love and passion for music with their trends and vibrancy. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tekno, Patoranking, Psquare and a whole lot of them has helped me diversify my kind of music and now I can make different kind of music depending on the condition and situation of the moment.
TCA: Could you tell us about your upcoming album Afro Message? What inspired the concept, and how does it reflect Africa’s musical culture? You’ve mentioned it defines African music culture better than Afrobeats—could you elaborate on this distinction?
Face B: AfroMessage is a movement more than an album. AfroMessage is culture and Africa’s music tradition. Music is message, music is a channel connecting people through sound and rhythm created by a person or more people. Coming from Africa and staying true to the African originality, our musical background should be rooted in our culture and tradition which should help us introduce the world to Africa and Africa to the world. All the kinds of music that Africans creates or that are created with the target at Africa and painting the African’s culture and tradition should be tagged AfroMessage. This is a great definition for the African Genre. Afrobeats is limiting because music is not just in the beats but more in the message. If it’s the beats then that’s just a sound, but when it’s the beats and the message, then it’s music. AfroMessage as my first and debut album shall be in volumes. The first is “AfroMessge 1.0”
TCA: You describe AfroMessage as a movement. What message or change do you hope to inspire through this project?
Face B: The message and change I wish to inspire in AfroMessage is Originality and validation of Africa’s musical heritage. Let’s not take away the rhythm and the African music through influence and thirst. The beauty of our music is in the originality of our sounds. Lately, we have been using too much of the artificial sounds that are created by foreigners and sold hugely to us. Leaving out our own tambourines, bow lute, Djembe, Slit drum, ekwe, and many more.
TCA: Were there any challenges you faced while creating this album, especially when trying to stay true to the AfroMessage concept?
Face B: The trends is the hindrance to the concept because in our current dispensation the trend is the music the music is no longer the trend. There are industries samples that are the trends and creating this project, I had a lot of considerations and at some point I had to deviate into the trends so as to get interactions and attraction to the project. This is the reason the album is in volumes and step by step through the different volumes of the album as I will be releasing them, the idea shall be achieved when the time is now.
TCA: How has the reception been so far since your break into the industry? Any memorable moments or experiences?
Face B: The reception have been great, starting from my family, friends, my community, in the places I have been and even where I have not been to, my music have gone ahead. The analysis on my music spread shows how my songs have traveled to the different parts of the world far beyond Africa.
TCA: Who are some artists you would love to collaborate with in the future?
Face B: Well, currently I have collaborated with Magnito FreshOut in 2 songs already, I have also collaborated with Harrysong, I look forward to collaborating with a lot of artists here in Nigeria, It’s a big dream for me to collaborate with 2face Idibia because he is my idol. I look forward for collaboration with everyone possible not to mention but as much as possible, even across to other African countries, big shout out to Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, and many more. I would love to collaborate with artist from many countries in Africa and beyond Africa. I hope to collaborate with Chris Brown and other foreign artists too.
TCA: What’s the best advice you’ve received from someone in the music industry ?
Face B: Don’t be afraid to invest in your talent
TCA: Where do you see yourself in the next few years as an artist? What’s next on your horizon?
Face B: In the next few years I see myself being understood with my kind of music, my style, and my message. Spreading all across the world. Next on my horizon is what I dream and inspire. “The Future”
With his debut album AfroMessage 1.0, Face B is set to redefine African music, aiming to showcase the richness of Africa’s sounds and traditions. As he continues to rise, he envisions a future where his music reaches audiences worldwide, staying true to his African roots and inspiring others to embrace originality. With more volumes of AfroMessage on the horizon, Face B is a fresh voice bringing authenticity and pride in Africa’s heritage to the global stage.