Meet O. Ewola

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful O. Ewola. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with O. below.

O., thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.

My generosity comes from knowing that I am connected to God. He’s limitless, boundless and an unlimited source. As long as I’m connected to Him, I’m good forever.

My generosity also comes from realizing that everything I have isn’t truly “mine”. My gifts and talents are to be shared and gifted with others who will eventually be inspired to do the same with their own gifts and talents.

Growing up, I’d always hear the phrase, “Givers never lack.” I thought it was just a way to finesse me into sharing until I started sharing my time, my creativity and my resources with those around me.

As I matured, I also realized that it’s great to be generous and simultaneously have boundaries in place not to spread myself thin.

For me, this means giving within my means and without expecting anything back.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a NYC-based Afrobeats music artist and a first-generation Nigerian-American with a deep love for my culture. Growing up immersed in the vibrant and unique NYC culture has been a profound experience, one that you truly have to be here to fully understand.

I always say music chose me, not the other way around. The music I create reflects my culture, experiences, and musical influences, sharing my story with the world through my personal lens. I began my creative journey by writing poetry but always found myself drawn to crafting songs and freestyling over YouTube beats. There was a deep desire to explore and expand, though it wasn’t the right time in hindsight.

Fast forward to the moment I released my first song, “Make You Mine,” I knew this journey would be both fun and pivotal. Along the way, I discovered a passion for the business side of being an independent artist. I enjoy learning the ins and outs of what it takes to sustain a solid foundation as an artist.

Currently, my focus is on expanding my reach and finding my target audience. My goal for the rest of the year is to refine my focus and find my tribe—my “True 1000 Fans,” as the great Kevin Kelly would say.

Excitingly, I have new music on the way for summertime, so expect to hear new chunes from me in the upcoming weeks. It’s a #nowahalajustvibes summer!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that I believe have been most impactful to my journey so far are faith, flexibility and persistence. My faith keeps me grounded, my flexibility keeps me adaptable to unforeseen circumstances and my persistence keeps me determined.

The best advice I can give anyone who is new on their music journey is to KEEP GOING! Keep God first. Always remember WHY you started; it’ll come in handy when you least expect it. Find ways to write/record as often as possible and do one thing daily to progress forward, even if that means resting. It’s okay to grow from where you are, use what you have, and work together with those in your corner. Grow and water your network. Learn and be knowledgeable on the business side. Surround yourself with likeminded people and people who are where you desire to be. I can go on forever, but these are some gems that came to mind.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was bet on themselves. It may sound “cliche,” but hear me out— They both took individual leaps of faith and migrated to America, embarking on what may have seemed to be their wildest decision at that point in time. As a child of immigrant parents, I often reflect on the fact that without them, I would not be here right now with this wild desire and courage to pursue my dreams. My parents worked hard so my sister and I can live a life with access to better resources, opportunities and be able to thrive beyond compare. Even with my own set of experiences from Naija, I always hold on dearly to the memories and stories they share with me from growing up back home. They are part of my ‘why,’ and I pray that God allows them to see long life and enjoy the fruits of their labor and sacrifices.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Chris Yang (@yangshitt)
Wasiu Saba (@siusview_)
Zah Lauren (@polarbear_laflare)
Nnamdi Simon (@monsieur_nnamdi)

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