Riick pulls you straight into the depths of his world with his debut single, Sanity. The Benue-born artist, who states that his hometown only added to his pain, blends Afrobeats melodies of struggle and survival. It’s a bold first impression: a song about mental health, pain, and the relentless search for peace in a country that often feels like it’s testing your limits. But Riick isn’t interested in playing it safe. He’s here to tell his truth, to make you move and feel in equal measure, and to carve out a lane in the crowded Afrobeats scene with something he calls his greatest weapon—versatility. Ahead of his forthcoming four-track EP, we sat down with Riick to talk about finding sanity in chaos, the power of vulnerability, and why his art is about more than just the music.
You chose “Sanity” as your debut single; that’s a bold statement to make as your first impression. Why was this the song the world needed to hear first?
Because I needed to tell my story and share my pain, I needed to pass a message.
On the track, you sing “I don waka far and wide just to find my sanity”. Without giving too much away, where did you have to go to find yours?
I always went to church, I played football, exercised and tried to be around friends who maintained positivity.
You’re very open about mental health struggles in the song. Why was it important for you to be this vulnerable right from your debut?
The phrase ‘mental health’ stopped being just words and became a topic not just for me but for everyone. The situation of the country has pushed everyone to a point where we have no choice but to consider our Sanity, that’s why it’s a song you can relate to.
“Sanity” feels both deeply personal and incredibly danceable. How do you balance making people move while making them feel?
It’s easy, same time it’s not even in hard times you can still feel good because you know you will come out of whatever situation you find yourself, so why stay sad when you know what’s ahead?
You blend Afrobeats with R&B and Soul. Who are some artists in and outside of Nigeria that influenced this sound?
Nobody influenced the sound, but there are artists I admire like Michael Jackson, Jon Bellion, Chris Brown, Wizkid, Rema, Nasty C, and Victony. Everyone is unique in their own way, but these names stand out.
What’s your creative process like?
My creative process is a balance between intention and trusting my instincts. I write my songs based on my recent or past experiences, and then I open my mind to allow it to tell a story that connects.
Sanity is just 1 track from your forthcoming 4-song EP. What journey are you taking listeners on across these four tracks?
It is going to be relatable, so it’s what we all go through as humans: pain, regret, self-confidence, and finding ourselves again.
You’re entering a very competitive Afrobeats scene. What do you think you’re bringing that’s different from what’s already out there?
Versatility.
Five years from now, when people talk about the artist Riick, what do you want them to say about the impact you’ve made?
I want them to say my art left more than just images, sounds, or words. I want them to say I created a work that made people feel sane, that gave voice to emotions they couldn’t quite name, and reminded them of their own power to believe, to dream, and push past their limits.
Finally, is there anything about Riick that people might be surprised to learn?
That’s a surprise, as time goes on, my cocoon will break.
