Check Out Ebenezer Eferobor’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebenezer Eferobor.

Hi Ebenezer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Nigerian, born and raised. I grew up in a waterside community on Osime Street, nestled in the district of Iganmu in Orile, within the bustling city of Lagos. Our family later relocated to the neighborhood of Ajegunle, where my childhood experiences shaped my understanding of life. It was a place where resilience became second nature to me. To stretch our limited finances, my brothers and I walked six to seven miles daily to and from school, mastering the art of budgeting from a tender age. In an interesting twist, we coined our collective savings as the “Consumers Discount Market” (CDM), an amusing title that held significance for us.

Our determination to improve and embrace responsibility fueled our journey. At the age of nine, I opened my first bank account. During my daily commute, I’d make occasional stops to deposit whatever spare change I had, and those savings eventually covered my high school textbooks and exam fees. Resourcefulness became a way of life; I sewed my own clothes and wore shoes until the soles had sizable holes. I knew where to find the most affordable quarter slice of bread, a single akara (fried bean cake), and an ample amount of crumbs for dinner, ensuring I never went to bed hungry.

Today, I see myself as a staunch representative of that determined child unwilling to settle for less. Every decision made back then contributes to who I am now, a person ready to take ownership of their goals.

I got into music and sound work through the church. I started working in the sound booth with a huge Allen and Heath console. While I was doing that, I started learning how to play the keyboard so I could help out in Teens church and that was the moment I knew I would love to do this for a living. I went out to seek opportunities in local studios, and I remember having to pay this guy some money to intern at his studio; crazy now that I think about it. But such was the landscape of the business, you get taken advantage of especially when you are so young and making your way with nobody to guide you. Eventually, I got an opportunity to go to the United States to study music and music technology on a full-ride scholarship, and ever since then all I’ve done is follow my curiosity. My curiosity led me into music composition and post-production sound for film.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
On a personal level, the challenges I’ve encountered extend beyond mere skill sets; they are deeply rooted in access to resources and information. While the notion that one can learn anything on YouTube is prevalent, I find it limited. YouTube offers a wealth of knowledge, but there exists a vast reservoir of insights confined within the walls of institutions and studios. As someone whose father never possessed more than a bicycle, my prospects in fields like music or post-production audio seemed nearly insurmountable.

I envision a world where passports and nationalities cease to be barriers to information or job opportunities. I yearn for genuine equality of opportunities accessible to both the individual with good education and those devoid of formal education. The challenge lies in fostering honest conversations that transcend bias or presumptions about an individual’s abilities and future potential.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a composer and sound designer engaged in crafting music and handling sound and dialogue editing for emerging film directors. Additionally, I contribute as a composer assistant at Moon Road Music, where my responsibilities include audio editing and studio library management. I take immense pride in the journey from being a dream-filled little boy to achieving international collaborations and recognition. Notably, my work on projects such as “Confessions” “Dragnet Girl”, and “The Biting Tree” stands out as significant accomplishments in my career. I have a deep-seated passion for creating solutions and paving the way for opportunities, placing considerable value on building and nurturing relationships.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am always open to projects that seek to advance the narrative function of sound and music in visual and interactive media. So, if you are reading and would love to reach out, do not hesitate. My IG is @iamebenezerkeys.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @iamebenezerkeys