Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Debra Can

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, during the vibrant 1980s, Debra Can found her earliest inspiration in the soulful sounds of Brandy and Toni Braxton. Their music sparked a passion within her that would shape her life’s path. From singing in her church choir to representing her school in music competitions, Debra’s talent and dedication quickly became evident.

After earning a degree in Mass Communications, she explored several creative avenues — from television presenting and radio hosting to entrepreneurship — yet her heart always led her back to music, her true calling.

Today, Debra Can is ready to share her unique sound with the world: a vibrant fusion of Afrobeats, pop, and soul, deeply rooted in her personal experiences, dreams, and determination. Her songs reflect her resilience, passion, and devotion to her art.

As she continues her musical journey, Debra hopes to inspire and uplift listeners around the world, connecting with them through her voice, her story, and her unwavering love for music.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music was when I used to sneak out of school to go record songs in the studio, and I would spend days working and sleeping in the studios before going back to school.

How did your passion for creating music begin?
My passion for creating music began when I was in high school.
I used to listen to a lot of songs, especially Brandy’s, Toni Braxton’s, and Mary J. Blige’s songs.
These great songs inspired me to begin creating my own music.

What’s the story behind your current music project?
Talking about my current music project, it’s actually a song I had recorded some years back but I wasn’t satisfied enough to release it.
I decided to recreate it, changed some of the lyrics and rhythm, and featured another artist on it.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My sound is a fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and contemporary styles, with lyrics that focus on storytelling, empowerment, and self-love.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I learned to embrace imperfections when making music — that I should focus more on capturing the vibe and emotions rather than chasing perfection.
The goal now is to connect with my listeners on a deeper level.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
The tools or instruments essential in my creative process are guitar, piano, and sometimes percussion.
To be honest, the most essential tool is my notepad and pen.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I love a lot of artists and songs at the moment, but Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Tems, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr are the ones I love most.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences always reflect in my music.
For example, I wrote “SSS (E go pay)” after I looked back at my musical history. It’s been a long time coming, and I am yet to get to the point where I can say that I am a successful artist. So it’s a motivation for me and my listeners.
Also, growing up in Lagos, navigating love, loss, street life, and spiritual awakenings influences my music and artistic vision.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I am super intentional about what my listeners take from my work.
I want my listeners to be motivated to pursue their dreams and never give up, no matter how difficult it seems.
I want to be able to connect with them through my music and impact their lives in a positive way.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music taught and showed me that raw emotions aren’t a weakness; it taught me to stay true to myself and not be afraid of anything happening in my life.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to perform at the Grammys and also at the O2 Arena in London.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be Brandy, because her music inspired me to become an artist.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, IG, links)
Your listeners can follow me on all social media platforms @debracanmusic and Debra Can on all streaming platforms and YouTube.

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My dream for the next chapter of my musical journey is to become a global superstar in the world of music.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope listeners will discover how talented, creative, passionate, and resilient I am in my career.