Meet Adaobi Chiemelụ | Poet & Multifaceted Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adaobi Chiemelụ and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adaobi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Art makes me happy. Growing up, I found that engaging with other school kids in creative projects, rehearsing songs and plays, poetry recitals, dance and stage performances brought me a sense of purpose. Storytelling and music engulfed me. I enjoyed so much of the art that surrounded me, the storybooks, folktales and my father’s music collections. Soon I began to dabble in creation myself. First thing I ever declared I wanted to be when I grow up is an actress and musician. I soon started writing creative fiction and songs. I remember sitting in class during free periods and we would trade our stories. Some of us that drew too would share our art. It was a wondrous kind of feeling being inspired by each other’s art.

When it was time to choose a career path however, it became a question of what was practical given the economical situation of the society I find myself in. Being an artist seemed all fun and games until it was time to pay the bills. How does one pursue one’s curiosities when basic needs are not met? With my art I didn’t start out in pursuit of a career. It was a freeing act. Knowing that I couldn’t live my life at peace without it, I took my chances. I noticed a growing wave of youthful creatives and the rising courage to pursue one’s dreams. That encouraged me. It hasn’t been a smooth one, but the influence of those before me and around me strengthens me as I walk this path.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If I have learnt anything so far, it is to keep moving. That’s how we build. I started out writing and performing for school plays. I became known mainly as a (spoken word performance) poet while in the university. It was hard juggling that with my course of study, Mathematics. I messed it up some of the time but I got to understand the holistic nature of it all and didn’t feel so lost in the end. I started my YouTube channel in 2020 during the lockdown, because I had been performing on a lot of stages prior to that period and missed the art. I had hoped my channel would also provide a sort of visual timeline for me to read my progress and it did. Now it has become a means to expand my creative prowess and eventually earn. I think that when you love your art, it brings incredible joy to watch it grow. That is what I envisioned for myself, but I’ve also got to learn that we register the pains alongside too. We’ve got to take it all. I model some of the time, act for screen, stage and voice. I also take songwriting and creative writing gigs. I still have a long way to go working on my craft and building my brand as a whole. I’m excited for all I’ll learn and who I’ll become in the process. A great part of my joy in writing, storytelling, performing, making music and poetry is seeing people touched by my art.

When I feel down, I turn to art to lift my spirits and I’m committed to doing the same for others as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, I would take them to a karaoke night at any of the bars in my area, say Vintage. They have a really nice set up for a fun, chill time. I would also take them to the lake at the Nike resort, and we’re sure to have a refreshing time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It really takes a village to raise a person. Similarly, my growth as a writer and performer has taken the effort of communities. Right now, I would like to dedicate this shout-out to my mum, Chioma, founder of Chomy’s kitchen and Chomy’s Dreadlocks. She’s been such an example in the ways we can show up for ourselves and in effect show up for others. And a big shout-out to my sisters, my kinfolk artists, Ezinwa, Nwele Stone, a creative director extraordinaire, and Chidimma Okoroafor, an exceptional talent manager, who remind me of who I am.

I’d also like to shout out to Nnamdi Arinze, founder of Personal Advisory and Vegan Wangs Atlanta. His contributions to the community and support for artists is inspiring and makes this journey a worthy one. Dedicated authors of incredible books such as John Umeh, After God is Dibia, will always have my heart for how much they’re doing for humanity. I am so honoured to be a part of the movement, to understand that the art chooses us. And of course to my dad, Ezechukwu, who has been a backbone through the times and whose influence will never leave me. For all this and more I’m deeply thankful.

Website: https://linktr.ee/A.db.i

Instagram: https://instagram.com/adaolilies?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ==

Linkedin: https://ng.linkedin.com/in/adaobi-chiemelu-4379ab111

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adaolilies?t=VmcnaLP-Dlm4F0n40gZpfQ&s=09

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adaolilii?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@adaolilies

Other: https://bottlecap.press/products/purple

Image Credits
Nwele Stone, Slim lens, Loxy Visuals, Sam Alenu, Jamari Lior.