Veteran highlife legend Bright Chimezie has dismissed the belief that smoking or drinking makes artists more creative.
Speaking on the CreativTea Podcast, the “Because English” singer said many artists only engage in such habits for fun, not for inspiration.
“The claims that you need to drink or smoke to get music inspiration is false. If you are drinking or smoking, you are just having fun. That doesn’t mean it will boost your creativity,” Chimezie said.
Chimezie, who pioneered the Zigma sound, explained that true music inspiration comes naturally and should not be linked to substances.
The veteran musician has been enjoying a resurgence in his career since signing a landmark deal with Sony Music Publishing West Africa in June 2025. The deal is aimed at digitally preserving and promoting his music catalog to a global audience, allowing younger generations to experience his unique blend of traditional Igbo rhythms, highlife, funk, and satirical social commentary.
His renewed fame was further fueled by a meeting with Afrobeats superstar Davido, which sparked talks of possible collaboration. Davido has openly praised Chimezie’s artistry and even sampled his 1984 hit “Because of English” in his 2025 track “With You,” a move that has reintroduced Chimezie’s sound to today’s music lovers.
