Egertton, born Ikponmwonba Osaze, isn’t just another emerging voice, he’s building a world. From his Benin roots to his self-described ‘Spiritual’ sound which he fondly calls ‘Incantation‘ music, the rising artist approaches music as something deeper than surface-level listening. In this conversation with Purp Kulture, he opens up about identity, intention, and the meaning behind ‘EGERTTON DON COME AGAIN,’ while breaking down his creative process, visual storytelling, and why everything he does must carry the ‘EGER touch.’
As his journey continues to unfold, Egertton is carving out a wider creative space, moving within the same circle as and collaborating with peers like ARTSALGHUL & scottyolorin. Looking ahead, there are conversations around possible future moments with Cruel Santino and Blaqbonez. With growing attention around his artistry and a quiet confidence in his direction, there is also a recurring narrative of him being seen as ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’, a label that only adds to the intrigue around what he is building.
For Egertton, this is only the beginning…
Creative Direction: Dammy Prince
Photography: Aaron Ehimare
Styling: Ikponmwonba ‘Egertton’ Osaze
Studio: Pixxel Factory
BTS Videography. Allyson Efemena
Production: Dammy Prince
Production Assistant Verse
Post Production: cosamote.
Wording / Interview: Dammy Prince
Tailor / Brand: Brass NG
PK: Who’s Egertton?
EGER: Egertton is just a kid from Benin, that was named after his grand uncle who was a professor that died and fell love with music
PK: How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
EGER: People do ask me this a lot but I’d say when you do listen to my music or when I make mysic, there’s a deep feeling to it, so I just say my sound is SPIRITUAL music because it goes beyond the surface.
PK: How did you come about the tag “EGERTTON DON COME AGAIN?”
EGER: Interesting… Like I said, I was named after my grand uncle in Benin that was a professor and he died even before I got to see him, so I was named Egertton in respect of his legacy, so anytime I say “EGERTTON DON COME AGAIN”, it means REINCARNATION!
PK: Who would you say gave you your first major co-sign in the music industry
EGER: Blaqbonez.
PK: How does Nigerian culture shape your sound and visuals?
EGER: Naturally, I’m a Benin boy, and there are certain things I’m drawn to. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it explains my love for Michael Jackson. Since I was a kid, I was really scared of him, but I grew up loving that feeling, the way it was presented to me. Things like that have shaped me into who I am today.
PK: Let’s talk about school, how do you manage to find a balance and all?
EGER: Another interesting question… To be honest I just pray to GOD and do what needs to be done.
PK: What’s your creative process like? Do you enjoy writing alone in the studio or creating from scratch with the Producer?
EGER: It depends. Normally, I sit with the producer and make the beat from scratch. Other times, I can record alone or with 100 people in the room I don’t really mind. But I always prefer recording alone. I don’t like having the lights on, I prefer to have a candle on.
PK: What’s the longest you’ve stayed without recording new music.
EGER: Recently, I’d say 20 hours.
PK: Your visuals and style feels intentional, How do you approach your image?
EGER: I definitely have a team, but nothing goes out under my name or craft without the EGER touch. I could easily credit myself as ‘Directed by Egertton’ and all that, but it’s not necessary I feel like people already know I’m very involved.
PK: How important is storytelling in your releases?
EGER: It’s very important because I can tell a story through the music alone, but everything still has to flow with the sound. That’s why the visuals matter, even down to the outfits and my tattoos. Everything comes together to tell one story.
PK: Speaking of tattoos, how many do you have?
EGER: Right now I don’t have much, just 3. I don’t have no small tattoos and they’re all in specific place, my rib.
PK: If your brand or style was a planet, which would it be?
EGER: It’s easy for me to just say Pluto but I would say Mercury…
PK: You just released a 2pack track, EGER, how has the reception been so far?
EGER: It’s been good. Its a crazy 2pack because it’s two different sounds, ‘Obokhian’ & ‘16 missed calls’ are like opposite or each other but it’s been good so far, we thank God.
PK: If you were to put an artiste on the Remix of 16 Missed Calls or Obokhian, which artiste are you putting on and why?
EGER: For ‘Obokhian’ I’d say Shallipopi & Rema & for ‘16 Missed Calls’ I’d say… it’s very unrealistic but let’s say The Weeknd.
PK: What are you currently working on? What should fans be expecting?
EGER: I’m working on my album, a project that should’ve dropped since but hopefully this summer. I don’t want say the name now but off set I’ll get to play you the project.
PK: I feel many music creatives don’t get to talk about this aspect of their journey as much but how do you handle pressure, Do you feel pressure to follow trends, or do you block that out?
EGER: Zero pressure. When I do my stuff I don’t worry about what the next person is doing. Other than that, certain things like me been a model and doing adverts since I was like 6 years old, I’ve gotten used to been on camera and just the whole thing in general so I don’t feel no pressure.
PK: Hit songs or classic album?
EGER: Classic album
PK: What’s success to you?
EGER: Been able to have the influence that you dream to have on your culture, sound, environment, life and obviously having the guap on the side but influence the main thing.
PK: 3 words that describe you best?
EGER: Chill, Crazy & Dark
PK: Hmm… Dark
*everyone laughs…*
PK: Dream collaboration (one local & one international)?
EGER: BTS internationally & local, there’s a whole lot but the one person everyone keeps wishing and me too is Rema.
(background…. AARON: Is it because of the Benin heritage?)
EGER: Not just that, I’ve generally been listening to Rema for the longest time because I wasn’t really tapped into African acts back then, apart from the usual Burna Boy, Davido, and Wiz. I remember when someone first put me on Rema, I tapped in and later found out he’s a Benin boy, and where he’s from isn’t far from where I stay. But it’s not even about that. These days, I just listen to music that wows me, if it’s not wowing me, I don’t really connect. And if you listen to Rema, you can tell he’s very intentional about his craft. He definitely has a hand in everything he’s got going on, and that’s really inspiring.
PK: What’s one false story you’ve seen on the internet that shocked you?
EGER: I have heard a lot of things about myself, I’ve heard I’m Gay and that’s probably that craziest thing.
PK: What do you want people to feel when they listen to Egertton?
EGER: Just a deeper connection to music than the normal surface level.
PK: Where do you see yourself in the next 2–3 years?
EGER: I just hope I’ve made all the moves I want to make, sound-wise. I’m not really thinking about success like being a bigger artist, that’ll come naturally. I care more about the music I’m making, that’s always been my focus. Like, I even want to move to Tokyo.
(background…AARON again: Moving to Asia because of BTS?)
EGER: Laughs… No, but I love anime and stuff, and Tokyo is somewhere I’ve always wanted to be. So it’s like, imagine I’m in Tokyo, living and absorbing their culture while still being a Benin boy, think about the kind of music I’d be making. That’s what I’m more concerned about.
PK: This is random, but do you study in school?
EGER: I study computer science.
PK: What’s a value you’ve always lived by?
EGER: Don’t treat people badly. Just have a pure heart. I always tell people, as long as I have a good heart, I can’t be punished by God, that’s a value I live by.
PK: Before we wrap up, do you have any questions for me?
EGER: Mhmm. Not really.
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