Nazifi Asnanic: How God, strategy keep my songs relevant for over 20 years

Veteran Hausa singer Nazifi Abdussalam Yusuf, popularly known as Nazifi Asnanic, has attributed his long-standing relevance in the music industry to divine grace and his ability to adapt to his audience’s needs.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SolaceBase TV, the Kano-born artist said his strategy of observing societal trends and understanding what people want to hear has helped him remain one of the most respected names in Hausa music for nearly two decades.

“It’s just God. But again, I study the moment before I sing. I ask myself: What do people want to hear now? That’s what guides my creativity,” Asnanic said.

Widely known for songs that cut across political, wedding, and film themes, Asnanic began his journey as a songwriter around the year 2000. It wasn’t until 2003 that he began singing his own songs, following encouragement from friends and a boost in self-confidence.

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Born and raised in the Dirimin Iya area of Kano Municipal, Asnanic said he initially wrote songs for other Kannywood stars like Sadi Sidi Sharifai, Yakubu Muhammad, and Abubakar Sani before becoming a full-fledged singer.

“I remember my first studio recording. I kept playing it to myself to find points of improvement. That’s how I started growing,” he said.

Despite the rise of new-generation singers, Asnanic remains a household name. Even when younger artists try to take the spotlight, his presence is always felt again once he releases a song or two.

His body of work is vast, but “Dan Marayan Zaki” remains his most technically impressive piece, while “Soyayya in za ka so dan uwanka so shi tsakaninka da Allah”—featured in the Kannywood film “Fil Azal”—is the song that made him famous.

He draws inspiration from various artists, including the Arabian singer Sahmi Yusuf for his vocal style, Malian legend Barmana Choge for her musical depth, and Guinean singer Ummi Sangale, whom he once aspired to be like.

When it comes to songwriting, Asnanic says creativity often flows naturally. “Once I get the chorus, the rest comes easily. Sometimes, before I know it, the song is complete. I just go back later to refine it.”

However, not all projects come easy. He recounted the challenges he faced while recording “Asma’ullahil Husna”, a song featuring the 99 names of Allah, which he co-sang with Mahmud Nagudu.

“We thought it would be simple. But pronouncing those names correctly took almost an entire day,” he said.

Aside from singing, Asnanic is also a director and producer in the Kannywood industry. While he occasionally directs films from his company, he admits that music remains his primary focus.

Although he started by creating his own beats and instrumentals, Asnanic said he stopped that long ago to concentrate on songwriting and performance.

To young and upcoming artists, he offered this advice: “Stay focused. Don’t allow others to use you for their own selfish interests. Stick to your values and be true to your craft.”