Drawn into the ever-charming world of music at age five, AthenaDME has blossomed into one of the most promising new voices in Nigeria’s music scene. Rooted in Afrobeats, R&B, and alté influences, her sound is deeply personal and shaped by her journey, cultural background, and lived experiences. With a flair for storytelling and an unmistakable presence, she delivers music that resonates, uplifts, and entertains, all while carrying the signature vibe of the self-declared “industry baby girl.”

From standout tracks like “Blessings” and “Baby Girl Lifestyle” featuring Slimcase, to the heartfelt and powerful “Away,” inspired by a close relative’s real-life experience, AthenaDME’s entrance into the music industry feels intentional and impactful. Even after setbacks like a stage fall and subsequent surgery that could’ve derailed her dreams, she’s emerged more defiant and empowered. Now signed to Flex Era Record and supported by a strong team and an even stronger sense of purpose, AthenaDME is gearing up to release her debut EP, D Main Event.

In an exclusive conversation with TurnTable, AthenaDME speaks candidly about her creative process, the healing power of music, and the future she envisions for herself and everyone who sees a piece of their own story in her sound.

TTC: Let’s start with your origin story. Who is AthenaDME, and what inspired your stage name as well as your journey into music?

AthenaDME: AthenaDME is a songwriter and performing artiste. The name AthenaDME was inspired a long time ago. Someone saw more than I saw about myself in my potential charisma and how I carried myself. He called me Athena and used the name to describe my energy and aura. Ever since then, I went by that and DME means ‘D Main Event’ because everywhere I go, there's always something about my energy. My journey into music started a long time ago when I was five years old. It's been a long time coming.

TTC: Your sound blends Afrobeats with R&B and alté influences. Where do you draw inspiration from, and how do you make these genres work together?

AthenaDME: I draw inspiration from different angles, real-life events, past occurrences, and movies. I could draw inspiration from just a conversation with you. I've had some mentors like Tiwa Savage, Beyoncé, Seyi Shay, and Rihanna majorly to mention some that I've drawn inspiration from. It has been a beautiful journey.

TTC: Let’s talk about your track “Baby Girl Lifestyle” featuring Slimcase. What sparked the creation of that record, and why did Slimcase feel like the right collaborator for it?

AthenaDME: While I was working on the song, it was supposed to be a solo long but the dream behind it wasn't a solo take. I reached out to my team that I needed a particular masculine energy that I couldn't give. Shoutout to my team. They did their thing and Slimcase was the perfect person for it. I needed his sound and vibe in the song.

TTC: When you had your appendectomy surgery, and you fell off a stage in the past…it felt like your career was about to be over when it was barely starting, and now, you carry a scar with you boldly and everywhere. How were you able to overcome that situation?

AthenaDME: A scar isn't a disease, it tells a story and journey and how far you've come. It tells what you've conquered and what was meant to break you but didn't. Despite the amount of backlash, it didn't stop me or do much to my confidence. I wear my scar proudly and remain proud that I conquered.

TTC: If you had to recommend just one of your songs to a new listener, which would it be and why?

AthenaDME: Just one? Why not all? I’ll recommend them all. “Baby Girl Lifestyle”, “Blessings”, and definitely “Away,” that's the song of the moment right now.

TTC: ⁠A real estate company gave you N1m and you used it to shoot a video for your song “Blessings”. How did you do that in this economy with 1m naira?

AthenaDME: All thanks to my label. I have a good team and proper management around me. Working with people who saw the vision in what I'm doing is a blessing. It was pretty much not all of my effort and that's the glory of Flex Era Record. I think we had about 30 naira change.

TTC: Your debut EP, D Main Event is dropping this year. Can you share the theme, any featured artistes, and what fans can expect from the project overall?

AthenaDME: Well, let’s keep this as a surprise for now. My EP, D Main Event is coming up and is going to be massive. Keep anticipating because the industry baby girl doesn't disappoint.

TTC: You released “Away” just a week ago. Walk us through the writing process, production, and rollout strategy behind the song.

AthenaDME: “Away” is more than a song to me because of where it is coming from. The story is a true life one and it happened to a close relative making it more emotional for me. This aunt of mine I grew up with was involved in a toxic marriage and at the time, it gathered a lot of attention from the family. She was encouraged to leave the marriage because it was really toxic but she couldn't. The situation was more of Stockholm Syndrome because she knew what was going on but wasn't strong enough to leave. It was traumatic and years later she was able to summon courage and leave. I released the song because then we used to call her aunty away if you no dey for me to lighten the mood. After all, she used to tell the man to go away if he couldn't be for her. She asked if I wrote it for her and I told her he's. The song is to celebrate her journey and how far she's come. It was really emotional. It’s not just my aunt, it’s my friend and many other women out there who aren't strong enough to leave yet. “Away” is for everyone mentally, physically and emotionally down. It is a sign that they have to leave and choose themselves.

TTC: What does making music feel like for you? Is it ever overwhelming, or is it something you'd keep doing over and over again?

AthenaDME: Music is all I live for. It's all I've always known to be. It's my identity so I can't quit it. It is challenging but it's an enjoyable moment for me anytime I create music. Having the right people around you could take you a long way.

TTC: What’s your long-term vision in the industry? Where do you see AthenaDME many years from now?

AthenaDME: It’s not just to be a brand or an artiste but to be global. I want to be pulling up on bigger platforms. Not only that, I want to touch and impact lives with my music. Five years from now, I want something big, to be called the industry baby girl. I need that name to represent itself. I want to be the main event everywhere.

TTC: Beyond the upcoming EP, what else can fans look forward to that captures who AthenaDME is as an artiste?

AthenaDME: They should listen to that EP first. Watch out for D Main Event Let’s enjoy it together!