Pay attention, Olú's music has a message for you

Olú, a Human resources graduate of a Nigerian university has always had music as a part of her.

As most kids growing up, music had always surrounded her, and she didn't shy away from it, engaging in several music related activities.

With time, Olú now has found her purpose in music and uses it as a tool to pass across content stemming from her life experiences which are meant to touch the soul that listens to her music.

She tells Pulse about her growing up, and how music eventually became a part of her going forward.

A brief background of yourself? Any other family member that runs with music professionally?

I’m Olúwatosin Agunbiade, I was born on July 10, 1993 in Lagos. I went to Covenant University to study Human Resources. I am now currently based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. My family is very loving and supportive of the creative arts, especially music.

As for my background in music, I used to dance a lot in Primary School when I was younger. I was also in all the choirs available in school. I participated in all the talent shows, end of year parties, things like that. I have always sung for as long as I can remember. My family is full of singers, my parents, my siblings, everyone sings; not professionally but I come from a family of exceptional singers. I have some cousins that do music professionally as well.

Why are you taking on the path of music? 

I mean, since I’ve always been singing, it was always an option. Ultimately, I’d always had an idea of what it would be like to do music seriously but there was nothing for me to do music for; there was no content to my desire to sing, but with life, growth and experiences, content came, and I need to share that content with whoever wants to listen.  In fact, at this point, I feel like I don’t even have a choice at this point, I am just a channel, the music must come out of me one way or another.

What's your first single about?

It’s literally in the title, “The Cry.” When everything has been pushed to a point and you just…STOP… and the only thing you can do is cry; whether it’s a happy cry or sad cry, either way whatever feeling you have comes out as a cry.

The lyrics are self explanatory as well; “Life is a cycle…” You are born, you go to school, get a job, get married, have children, and so on, it can feel like a pre-recorded tape, but then you can “Wake Up!” and live life on your own terms, with your own vibe and energy and at your own pace. You don’t have to feel trapped in the illusion of life.

“The grandeur of the illusion is not enough for my soul.”

“The message is clear to the receiver.”

How do you plan to be different in the competitive industry?

I am already different, everything I do is different because I feel like as individuals, we are an infinite universe of exponential bliss. Nobody is the same person and no one sounds alike. If someone else sang “The Cry,” it would not sound the same way this one sounds.

We all have our roles on earth and in the competitive industry and what makes us all different is something inside of us that we can’t always explain. At the end of the day, I can’t be defined or put in a box and that makes me different because everybody else strives to define themselves.

Any real-life situation or muse that inspires you to make music?

I met a woman one time the airport in Ethiopia, she was crying about her daughter, you know, I’ve met many luxurious people. I’m trying to make the point that ultimately, I’m inspired by every sight, every glare, every corner, every breath. I guess, the balance is more of the muse, the balance of life, the glory… it’s watching the rhythm of life just flow.

I am also inspired by Wizkid. There’s no word to really describe his inspiration, it’s just there, it’s like I just relate to him on a spiritual level, there is a connection that I have with his music.

What part of the music creation process do you find most enjoyable and most challenging?

For me, the creative process is almost thoroughly enjoyable, going through the ride, the experience. Apart from rare situations when the connection is missing maybe with the producer(s) and the fellow creatives, but that is normal and I embrace that.

The real challenge for me is having to talk about my music and explain what it means or what I want it to mean. If I just had to write and create music all day, I’d be very happy, it’s the other parts of being an artist that are a bit challenging to deal with.

What do you foresee and hope to accomplish as a musician in the long term?

I just want to enjoy the whole experience. I want my music to bring back sanity and I want my music to individually inspire people to be what they want to be and live life how they want to live; to find joy and peace and to enjoy the experience of life.

Check out her music 'The cry' and lyric video: