Majesty Eric 'STIQUES' StiQler is a Nigerian musician. Born in Kaduna, originating from Imo state, his life has always been an interesting blend of cultures. His musical aspiration spurred out of the love and commitment he has always felt for music as an art. As a young lad he was taught to play classical piano pieces, was a boys' brigade drummer and was always backstage in orchestral, opera and traditional concerts.
STIQUES is a rapper, singer, producer, audio engineer and music composer. His musical journey officially kicked off in 2003, starting with a performance at church, then birthday parties, little events here and there, and the big stages at University campus shows. He started professionally making music in 2006, as a full-time vocalist, music producer and studio engineer, since then it's been microphones, pianos, emotions, adrenaline rush, studios and live music.
STIQUES is the self-proclaimed salt of the northern Nigeria 'Gishirin Arewa' as people from the north will say.
With influences from Dan-Marayan Jos, Frank Sinatra, Beethoven, Miles Davis, Fela, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin, he has developed a taste for timeless music. His music infuses African rhythm with organic instruments, English orchestration and a pinch of deep cultural percussions to form a musical imperfection he likes to call Afro Neo-Soul. This music genre is pretty much grounded in deep emotions, northerness and the expressions of life from a highly artistic viewpoint (too much right???).
In recent times, STIQUES has run into a dilemma, the option of delving into popular Nigerian mainstream music (Afro-pop), in a bid to get discovered and instantly succeed or sticking with the kind of music he has grown to love and craft in the hope that in the long run, originality will outshine trend.
This year 2017, Stiques teamed up with one of Solange's multiple Grammy Award winning audio engineers; Nino Villanueva, on his first single for the year (released May 29th 2017). The single is off his summer mixtape (Summer Vibe god), which is out this fall.
Welcome to the generation of hybrid music, classic, traditional without a doubt and purely northern Nigerian. Unlock your inner northerner!
