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First Of His Kind

Interview with UK afro sensation oSHAMO

In his debut, UK-based afrobeats artist embarks on a groundbreaking sonic journey that fuses his Nigerian roots with his experiences in the UK. Known for his viral hit ‘Life of the Party’ and the genre-bending single ‘oSha-Piano,’ oSHAMO captures the pulse of Lagos’ Agege district, weaving fuji, hip-hop, and amapiano into a sound that is both raw and refined. Since migrating to the UK in 2019, the artist has used different platforms to grow a dedicated following, where his heartfelt lyrics and innovative beats resonate globally. The EP is a testament to his evolving identity, delivering a narrative that is as much about embracing his heritage as it is about exploring new dimensions of afrobeats. Having already garnered attention from major outlets, ‘First of My Kind’ marks a pivotal moment for oSHAMO. The EP delves into themes of love, ambition, and cultural resilience, showcasing his unique blend of storytelling and musical experimentation. Tracks like ‘I Do’ and ‘Alaska’ underscore his commitment to authenticity, with ‘I Do’ portraying a tender exploration of love, while ‘Alaska’ confronts stereotypes about Nigerian migrants. Each track is imbued with oSHAMO’s dedication to bridging cultures and challenging musical boundaries, solidifying him as an artist poised to leave an indelible mark on the global music scene.

Your debut EP ‘First of My Kind’ has been described as a blend of fuji, hip-hop, and amapiano. What drew you to these genres, and how do they reflect your personal journey from Nigeria to the UK?

This album truly reflects my life experiences and the vibrant places that have shaped who I am. Moving to the UK was my first big step away from Nigeria, and it really opened my eyes to the amazing sounds of my homeland. At first, I felt a bit shy and worried that my unique style wouldn’t really fit in here. But after receiving so much love for tracks like ‘Life of the Party’, I started to embrace my role as a cultural bridge between Nigeria and the rest of the world, starting with the UK. With inspiring artists like Burna Boy and Asake leading the way, I’m excited to proudly call myself ‘the first of my kind.’ I invite all of you to take a journey with me into our rich African roots through this EP!

Your latest single ‘oSha-Piano’ has a genre-bending quality that’s earned a lot of attention. How did you approach the creation of this track, and what message were you hoping to convey with it?

This song, “Osha-Piano,” was crafted in March 2024 in collaboration with the same talented producer behind the hit “Life of the Party.” Once that track went viral, he sent over a beat pack, and “Osha-Piano” immediately grabbed my attention. The vibe of the beat mirrored the joy I felt when I first heard “Life of the Party.” While my producer is based in Nigeria, we finalized some of the stems over video call, and I recorded the vocals in West London with my vocal engineer, Dobromirs Vasilev. I genuinely believe “Osha-Piano” will resonate with my rapidly growing audience and clearly convey what I want my sound to represent in the music scene. This song showcases my deep-rooted love for Fuji, Hip-Hop, and Amapiano, as I explore a unique combination of these genres. The lyrics reflect my journey as an artist, highlighting the confusion I faced while trying to find my purpose. I used to follow what my friends were doing, thinking it could be my path as well. The first line
captures this sentiment perfectly: “BACK IN THE DAYS, I WAS YOUNG AND I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A MAZE, VISION BLUR LIKE A BAT IN THE DAY.”

“I wanted to share my cultural narrative and identity with the world”

Growing up in the vibrant Agege area of Lagos clearly had a big influence on your sound. How do the cultural and musical traditions from Agege manifest themselves in this EP?

Absolutely! Each morning, I awaken to the rich, vibrant sounds of Fuji and Islamic music filling the air, creating an atmosphere that inspires my creativity and sets the tone for my day. This melodic backdrop has not only enhanced my artistic expression but also instilled a profound sense of purpose in my work. As I sing each note, I feel deeply connected to the voices of the legendary pioneers who came before me, whose innovative contributions have paved the way for artists like myself. Their spirit resonates in my music, fueling my passion and guiding my journey as I strive to honor their legacy through my own unique artistry.

‘First of My Kind’ highlights themes like personal growth, ambition, and love. What message do you hope listeners take away from the EP, particularly tracks like ‘Notorious’ and ‘I Do’?

My EP is a thrilling blend of fuji, hip-hop, and amapiano! Growing up in an Islamic setting where fuji is at the heart, I knew that whatever genre I explored, I wanted to share my cultural narrative and identity with the world. But for songs like ‘Notorious’, i’ll say it is a powerful anthem, blending energetic beats with lyrics that resonate deeply, inspiring growth, passion, and the power of manifestation.
Whilst I Do reflects what you typically expect from a love song on an amapiano beat! As people want the lover boy oshamo era back, haha.

“I feel deeply connected to the voices of the legendary pioneers who came before me”

In ‘Alaska,’ you address the issue of Nigerian migrants in the UK and challenge damaging stereotypes. Why was it important for you to highlight this theme in your music?

Absolutely! ‘Alaska’ stands as a heartfelt reminder of the challenges faced by myself and my fellow Nigerians. This track gently addresses the misconceptions surrounding migration, emphasising that for many, it’s not merely about escaping difficult circumstances, but about showing resilience and strength. My message with *Alaska* is one of hope: despite the hardships along the way, I encourage everyone to keep moving forward. One day, you’ll reflect on your journey and realize just how far you’ve truly come.

With over 10 million plays online and a rapidly growing fanbase, how do you balance staying authentic to your roots while appealing to a global audience?

It is by the grace of God and the support of my team that keeps me grounded.

Collaborating with other producers and artists must have brought new ideas into your creative process. Can you share how your work with others has shaped the sound of this EP?

Even though most of my collaborative songs aren’t released yet and aren’t included in the EP, they have really helped shape my style and sound. These collaborations have also taught me that there are no limits to how music can be received. Whether it’s in Yoruba, French, or Chinese, good music is truly food for the soul. I can’t quite explain it, but it’s incredible. When two creatives come together, there’s a special chemistry that can spark the creation of great music.

You’ve been influenced by afrobeat pioneers like Fela Kuti and fuji legends like Ayinde Barrister. How have these influences shaped your sound, and how do they resonate in your debut project?

Listening to these legends while growing up has shaped my sound and deepened my understanding of its foundation, as well as the essence of Afro music. My debut project showcases how this sound is not easily replicable. In other words, if you didn’t grow up in an African community, this EP highlights how rich the culture is and how deeply rooted the sound is within us.

‘Life of The Party’ has been a massive viral hit. What do you think it is about this track that connects so deeply with your audience?

Hmm, I’ll say a number of things actually… The beat, the catchy hook, the interlude before the “kashatima e”, and also maybe because people kind of compare my sound to Burna Boy. That’s about it, I’ll say!

As an emerging afrobeats artist, what do you see as your role in pushing the genre forward, and where do you envision afrobeats evolving in the next few years?

Before 5- 10 years time, I want the most distant cities, more distant people, the whole world to understand how important afro music is to the black people and also how the whole world will by then be enlightened by our language and culture. And I mean, we see that happening already, we have ambassadors like Burna, Rema and Asake taking the music to the most distant countries whilst the people sing a native language like their own. These are the things I’ll also want to have my name oSHAMO known for.

First Of His Kind

Credits:

Artist: Oshamo / @official_oshamo
Interview: We Plug Good Music / @wepluggoodmusic
Album streaming : https://empawaafrica.lnk.to/oSHAMOFOMK

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