Lindiwe Edet, known professionally as Iniorlindi, is not only an emerging musical talent but also an established runway model. She has shared the stage with industry icons like Naomi Campbell and Ojinika Okpe from Arise TV’s “What’s Trending.” Born to movie director Justin Edet, Iniorlindi discovered her passion for music early on, penning her first song at the age of six. She now introduces her musical prowess with her debut EP, “Poison Ivy.”
In the recent African Spotlight Series by Biografrica, Iniorlindi delved into an intriguing conversation about balancing her dual careers in music and modeling. She also discussed her decision to pursue music over her father’s film career path. Enjoy the read!
Despite Her Dad Being a Movie Director, Iniorlindi Shares the Inspiration Behind Her Musical Journey
Iniorlindi confided in Biografrica that, although her father is in the film industry, her true calling is music. That said, she wouldn’t shy away from a film role, confidently stating she can “definitely act.”
The Heartwarming Video with Her Great Grandma Grooving to “Vybez”
Iniorlindi discovered from her mother that her great grandmother used to perform music locally. This revelation prompted a visit to her village to connect and share a moment with her great grandma. The video [⬅️ please insert the video link] captures the pure joy as they both revel in the rhythm of ‘Vybez’.
The Connections with Songs from Her “Poison Ivy” EP
While Iniorlindi holds all her songs close to her heart, each track has its own unique inspiration drawn from her experiences. When probed about the origins of some of her song titles, she shared that “Vybez” was the result of a particularly joyful day. Meanwhile, “Baby Bird” has a more poignant story behind it: the song was inspired by a baby bird that fell from a tree, a gift from her karate instructor. Sadly, the bird’s passing left the entire family heartbroken, prompting Iniorlindi to immortalize the memory in a song.
The Major Influences Behind Her Unique Sound
Iniorlindi draws significant inspiration from diverse artists. She admires Rihanna for her multifaceted talents, remarking that “she can do different things at the same time.” Another major influence is Sia, whose voice she finds incomparably powerful. “Sia has a very powerful voice; you can’t sing her song more than she can,” Iniorlindi observes.
As for afrobeats, legendary figures like Fela Kuti have made an indelible mark on her. Recalling the first time she heard his music, she said her dad played a Fela Kuti track in the car, and it felt like she was immersed in a vivid story. After hearing multiple songs, each with its own narrative, she concluded, “you can deduce this is truly a legend.”
What Fuels Her Passion as an Artist Every Day
Iniorlindi is fueled by the authenticity and emotion in her songs. Their originality, coupled with the joy of sharing them with an audience that resonates with her sentiments, keeps her inspired. Ultimately, she wishes for the world to hear and derive as much pleasure from her music as she does.
Quickfire with Iniorlindi:
- Heels or Sneakers? Heels
- Runway or Recording Studio? Both
- Traditional Nigerian dish or Fast Food? Traditional (she has a fondness for pounded yam)
- Arya Starr or Tems? Couldn’t choose
- Tuface or Dbanj? Tuface
Life in Song Titles (Outside of Her EP):
- “Unstoppable” by Sia
- “Cheap Thrills” by Sia
- “Home” by Rihanna
If She Could Embody a Superhero Trait for a Day?
- Superspeed
“Vybez” as a Movie Soundtrack?
- “It could fit perfectly in a house party scene, a family movie, or a happiness montage. Really, it can be in any movie,” she elaborates.
Desert Island Essentials
- “A router” (provided there’s Wi-Fi!), and humorously, “my entire house” – because why limit oneself?
Iconic Personalities She’d Love to Hang Out With
- Rihanna: For her magnetic personality and legendary status in music.
- Timothée Chalamet: Because he’s a fantastic actor with a cool vibe.
Nurturing Her Artistic Voice
Iniorlindi specializes in pop music and is diligent about her daily vocal workout. “There’s always room for improvement. If you do daily vocal workout, you will get better everyday,” she says.
The Symbiotic Relationship between Fashion and Music in Her Career
Iniorlindi believes that music and fashion go hand in hand. “Fashion and music are intertwined, they are together, you can’t exactly separate them,” she opines. For her, the common ground lies in the allure of wearing stylish outfits in both industries. Probed further about lessons from her modelling days that she has carried into her music, she shares that modelling instilled punctuality, good character, and humility in her. These virtues, she believes, make her more likable and minimize conflicts.
Challenges and Triumphs in Her Dual Careers
In her musical journey, Iniorlindi doesn’t pinpoint any significant challenges. However, the fashion world presents its own set of obstacles. One recurring dilemma she faces is maintaining the “right” weight for a gig, often grappling with whether to gain or lose weight. As for her strategy to overcome these hurdles, she believes in authenticity. “You just need to be yourself and be ready to take ‘no’ for an answer,” she advises.
Her Visit to MTV
Iniorlindi had an interview session with MTV Base. However, as of our discussion, she was uncertain whether the interview had been aired or published.
Her Musical Beginnings
Iniorlindi began her musical journey at a tender age, penning her first song when she was just 6 years old. She took her time to nurture the song, recording it at 13 and then shooting a music video for it at 14. It was her mother who encouraged this early passion, suggesting she write a song and share it with others. The first performance of this song saw Lindiwe take the stage, with her mother accompanying her on the guitar.
Her Musical Evolution from Age 6 to 16
From penning her first song at 6 to launching her EP a decade later, Iniorlindi has seen considerable growth in her songwriting skills and vocal prowess. While she acknowledges occasional mistakes, she’s always driven to improve and deliver even better the next time.
Her Vision for the Future and Thoughts on Song Covers
Iniorlindi feels she’s continually evolving and pushing her boundaries. As a result, she finds it hard to predict her exact position in the coming years. When queried about other artists covering her songs, she expressed excitement, mentioning that she has already come across one such cover.
Dream Collaborations and Shared Love for Animation
From her childhood, cartoons were a major source of inspiration for Iniorlindi. Consequently, she dreams of collaborating with renowned animation studios like Disney and DreamWorks. Her goal is to reignite the same excitement she felt as a child in today’s younger generation. Interestingly, the interviewer pointed out that Rihanna is set to feature in a Shrek movie, suggesting that Iniorlindi’s love for animations might be yet another thing she shares with the music icon.
Her Sage Advice for Budding Music Stars
“Just be original, don’t try to sound like a specific person. People will recognize and appreciate you for you and won’t see you in the shadow of another person,” Iniorlindi counsels.
As a parting gesture during the interview, she showcased her talent with a 20-second freestyle from “Boogy,” a track from her new EP “Poison Ivy.”
Stay updated with Iniorlindi’s journey by following her on Instagram @iniorlindi.