The “Naija Boy” superstar is talking up a new project after the success of his maiden Black Bird EP.
The EP was home to his hit single “Naija Boy” that has raked up over 1 million views accumulatively across different DSP’s.
The music video especially has recently toppled the million views mark and has enjoyed relative success.
Osa who moved to the US in 2014 due to economic exile has been making music since he first recorded his first song as a novice in 2007, but officially released his first project only in January, 2021.
“After Recording my first song in 2007 I met my best friend Brusky. At the time Brusky owned a home studio and we made music all day producing writing and performing music. Eventually my passion for the art of making music grew stronger and stronger. I found myself spending more time in the studio than anywhere else and ultimately becoming a musical artist was all I wanted to do,” he elaborated.
Currently, the Benin City-born star originally from the meteoric Nigerian rising music scene, is blending Afrobeats and Hip Hop, a sonic combination that is seeing a number of stars crossover to the US with. Whether it’s Amaarae with her viral TikTok anthem “Sad Girls Love Money” featuring Kali Uchis, Burna Boy playing a fully capacity MSG, or Wizkid’s Made In Lagos album that has dominated the airwaves, perhaps Davido, Fireboy DML, and CKay charting in the Billboard Top 100, it’s no surprise that Billboard recently introduced the Afrobeats Top 50 charts in cognizance of the Afrobeats wave seeping into The States as of recent developments.
“I love good music and I enjoy good lyrical content and some of the artists I love are Wizkid, 2face idibia, Burna boy, Drake, Saint Jhn, The weekend, Post malone, Swae Lee and so many other well polished artists” he nods in acceptance of the shift in culture while mentioning some of his muses.
In an exclusive interview with Remixd Mag, OSA reflects on his EP Black Bird, his upcoming album Masterpiece, and gives us the scoop on his process among more trivia. Check it out.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
Answer: I was born and raised In Benin City Edo State Nigeria I moved to the United States in 2014 I lived in New York until 2016 and moved to Dallas Texas where I currently live.
What is your Artist Name? What is your real name? How did you get your Artist name?
Answer: My Artist name is Osa my first name is Osamede and my last name Omorodion I got my Artist name from the first three letters of my first name.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
Answer: I started writing music in high school back in Benin city when I was a little boy around 2006 and I recorded my first song in 2007 ever since then I fell in love with the art of writing, performing and recording music.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Answer: My upbringing definitely played a part in shaping who I am today, growing up in Benin city in my grandma’s house we didn’t have much but we had family and discipline. My parents left Nigeria and moved to the United States when I was 7 years old to search for greener pasture and I grew up along side my siblings and my extended family all living under one roof and music was a way for me to express myself and also created my own path for me. music gave me the hunger to strive for success and opened my eyes to a much bigger world.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Answer: My sound is the definition of a Nigerian Immigrant with a strong American influence my family has been in the United States since the 80s and that has played a huge role in defining my sound.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
Answer: After Recording my first song in 2007 I met my best friend Brusky. At the time Brusky owed a home studio and we made music all day producing writing and performing music. Eventually my passion for the art of making music grew stronger and stronger. I found myself spending more time in the studio than anywhere else and ultimately becoming a musical artist was all I wanted to do.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
Answer: For me it’s the creative process I’m very passionate about the art of recording and one of my dreams in to own a professional music recording studio where people can get the highest quality of vocal recordings. I’m very passionate about what I do and my hunger for growing through the process and living the life I truly want for myself is my ultimate inspiration.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Answer: I love video games I’ve always had video games i love playing soccer I love hanging out and spending time with my family and friends when I can I love cooking and trying new food and also meeting new people with good intentions.
What were you doing before music?
Answer: Before music I was in high school trying to get good grades and make it to college but music showed me a different path.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Answer: I love good music and I enjoy good lyrical content and some of the artists I love are Wizkid, 2face idibia, Burner boy, Drake, Saint Jhn, The weekend, Post malone, Swae Lee and so many other well polished artists.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
Answer: I would love to work with some of the Artist I just mentioned in the previous question and I want to have a lot of music out my goal is really to keep making great music for my fans and supporters and also start my own record company helping other good underground artist looking to pursue a music career.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
Answer: In January of 2021 I released my first Afrobeat Ep called Black Bird and I’m currently promoting a song off the Ep called Naija boy produced by Calliemajik which means Nigeria boy. The inspiration behind the song is me introducing myself as a Nigerian boy with an American influence because that’s who I’ve always been and that’s why you can hear a mixture of both Afrobeat and a hiphop flow when you listen to the song.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
Answer: Black Bird Ep was released January 1st 2021 and I released the music video to “Naija Boy” August 27 2021 and I’m currently working on my new Album that is soon to be released called Masterpiece.
What is this project about in your own words?
Answer: Most people celebrate and adore colorful birds more but black birds actually rule the sky The EP was titled Black Bird because it was the first time I felt ready and strong enough to release a project before that I released singles the Black Bird EP really showed me that I’m strong enough to rule the skies with or without the support of other people.
Is there a specific song on this project that speaks to you most? If so, what’s It called and what’s it about?
Answer: I named the EP After the first song on the project called Black Bird. It’s the song that speaks to me the most and also most people as well. Black Bird is a song that gives you hope for the future and help you realize that there’s light at the end of the tunnel with also a a little touch of spirituality awareness wrapped in a tribal Afrobeat instrumental produced by Juwonmix
What’s one of your most proud moments of your music career so far?
Answer: The day I first crossed over 500 thousand views on my Naija Boy music video on YouTube I was very happy because that made me realize I could do millions of views as an independent artist without the help of no major record labels it made me want to go even harder. Naija boy music video was shot and edited by Mello and directed by Jonathan management.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
Answer: I’m working on a project called Masterpiece I just wrapped up the second music video off this project I don’t have a date set yet but it’s going to be out this year be on the look out.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
Answer: My music is all about spreading love and giving hope I want my fans to know that there’s always a way and the best days are ahead of us I want my fans to listen to my music and find the strength and the courage to keep going keep pushing and keep fighting the good fight.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Answer: My ig is @Callme_Osa same with my Twitter handle
Links are below to find my music
https://youtube.com/channel/UCLFGzAGvssMkXPYz9f1a9Ow
https://youtube.com/channel/UCuRztAjCW28GDZFS-ra_GQg
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfVcs0c6ihH9CXiwJETWV0G8skK-5ZTwE&feature=share
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/osa/1511758975
