Egbowon talks music, growth and the future of soul in Nigeria
By Godwin Okondo
OLA Egbowon, a Nigerian artiste known for his deep connection to soul and jazz, recently performed in Lagos and showcased songs written during the Covid-19 lockdown. He revealed that the period of isolation was a time of intense creativity, during which he composed between 75 and 100 songs. From that collection, he carefully selected tracks that resonated with the theme of his current project and audience.
“Many of these songs were written years ago, particularly during the lockdown—a period of deep reflection and creativity for me,” Egbowon reflected. “Each song captures different emotions, experiences and perspectives, and for this project, I selected the ones I felt would resonate the most.”
Looking ahead, Egbowon plans to release a few singles before embarking on a tour across Lagos. The tour is intended to build momentum, create awareness and allow him to connect with a wider audience through live performances.
“I plan to release a few singles first, building momentum before embarking on a tour across Lagos,” he explained. “The tour will serve as a platform to engage with fans, gain exposure and establish a strong presence in the Lagos music scene.”
While soul has been his strongest foundation, Egbowon is also embracing Afro-fusion, which blends African rhythms with contemporary influences. He described himself as a multifaceted artists who is constantly evolving, seeking new ways to express deep emotions and connect with listeners.
Ola Egbowon live performance
“Soul music has been my strongest foundation for a while, allowing me to express deep emotions and connect with listeners on a profound level,” he said. “However, as an evolving artist, I am constantly exploring new sounds, and Afro-fusion excites me because it blends rich African rhythms with contemporary elements.”
Speaking on rave Afrobeats is currently enjoying, Egbowon acknowledged its global impact and praised its role in bringing Nigerian music to the world stage, adding, “Afrobeats has played a pivotal role in bringing Nigeria—and Africa as a whole—into the global spotlight. It has evolved into a dominant force in the music industry, influencing international sounds, collaborations, and mainstream culture.”
He added that beyond music, the Afrobeats genre has also amplified Nigerian creative industries, including fashion, dance and film. His decision to focus on soul and jazz, according to him, is not a rejection of Afrobeats but a reflection of his musical roots.
“I wouldn’t call it a departure; rather, it’s a deeper connection to my roots and the music that shaped me,” he explained. “Growing up in Lagos, I was heavily influenced by soul music—it was the sound that resonated with me the most.”
He noted that Afrobeats was not as prominent when he first left the country, and upon returning, he realized that there was still an audience that appreciates soul and jazz, saying, “I saw an opportunity to carve out my own space, not by rejecting Afrobeats, but by expanding the conversation around what Nigerian music can be.”
His musical growth has been shaped by years of exposure, practice and dedication to mastering his craft. He credited live performances, collaborations and mentorship as key factors in his development.
“Mastery didn’t happen overnight—it has been a journey of continuous learning,” he said. “I spent years listening to legendary soul and jazz artistes, studying their vocal techniques, instrumentation and delivery,” and also highlighted the role of live performances in helping him connect with audiences and refine his musical expression.
Among the songs on his upcoming album Higher stands out as one of the most thrilling to compose. He described it as one of his most personal songs, born out of deep self-reflection.
“Higher came from a place of deep self-reflection,” he reflected. “At the time, I was processing my personal growth, questioning my beliefs and coming to terms with the realities of life—truth, expectations and how they shape us.”
Egbowon said the composition process was almost therapeutic, noting, “Writing it felt like therapy. I was being completely honest with myself, acknowledging both my struggles and my progress.”
Another song, “Incomplete,” was written for his daughter and he said it pushed him to experiment with new sounds and arrangements. “This one challenged me because I wanted to blend my soul influences with a fresh, contemporary feel. I remember spending hours tweaking the instrumentation, making sure it captured exactly what I was feeling.”
Egbowon hopes to fill a gap in the Nigerian music industry by providing more introspective and emotionally rich music.
According to him, “I want to fill the gap for deeper, more introspective, and emotionally rich music in the Nigerian music industry. While Afrobeats dominates, I believe there’s still a strong need for alternative sounds—music that speaks to the soul, tells profound stories, and connects with listeners on a deeply personal level.”
Beyond his personal career, he is committed to mentoring emerging artistes who feel constrained by industry trends and wants to break free and be themselves musically from the prevailing norm.
“There are so many talented musicians in Nigeria who feel boxed in by industry trends, afraid to fully explore their unique sounds because they don’t fit the mainstream mold,” he said. “I want to be a voice that reassures them that authenticity matters and that there is room for diverse expressions of music.”
Egbowon remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of Nigerian music while staying true to his artistic identity. As he prepares for his upcoming releases and Lagos tour, he is focused on making a lasting impact on the industry and inspiring a new generation of artistes to embrace their own unique sounds wihout coventional inhibitions.
