Wonu Osikoya: A Force Unearthing Gems and Shaping the Future of Nigerian Music.
Fueled by a deep passion for music, she has carved a unique space for herself as the creator of the influential podcast, "Osikoya Speaks."
Wonu Osikoya is a name synonymous with passion, dedication, and a genuine love for Nigerian music. More than just a fan, Wonu is a powerful voice carving a unique path in the industry. As the creator and host of the highly-regarded podcast, "Osikoya Speaks," she's not just entertaining listeners with her infectious energy and insightful commentary – she's acting as a bridge. She connects fans to the heart of the Nigerian music scene, offering a glimpse into the workings behind the beats and sounds of Afrobeats.
She saw a gap – a space where the true essence of the Nigerian music industry, the tireless efforts and dedication of those crafting the magic, remained largely unseen and underappreciated. With a keen eye for spotting rising talent, she consistently champions the works of up-and-coming Nigerian artists. Fueled by her tireless pursuit of fresh sounds, she scours the landscape for the next wave of musical gems, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and reach a wider audience.
Can you tell us about your earliest memories of being drawn to Nigerian music?
Wonu: I think I've always been a fan of Afropop, Afrobeat. I've always been a fan of popular Nigerian music. I can't even remember. But, I think that would be around the time of Wande Coal’s Mushin to Mo Hits. I feel like that's the album that really made me want to be involved, to immerse myself in Nigerian music. But even before that, I've always been a music head and I've always loved music. I definitely used to listen to music long before Mushin to Mo Hits, but that album, for sure, changed my perspective on things.
What's the driving force behind Starting “Osikoya Speaks?”. Did you see a lack of representation for certain artists or styles?
Wonu: I really wanted to create a platform for myself where I can just be very expressive. I wanted to be able to express myself and speak about the things that I genuinely love. Music is such a part of me. It is super important to the person I am today. I live and breathe music. I saw that there was a gap in the industry and it was the perfect opportunity. I feel like what people think the music industry is about isn't exactly what it is. A lot of people didn’t understand and still don’t understand that there is a lot more than meets the eye. People don't really understand the impact and the importance of the behind the scenes, and that was the gap I was trying to fill. That's the gap that I'm still trying to fill. I’m trying my best to help people see that what you think it is isn't exactly what it is a lot of the time.
What role did you see the podcast playing in the Nigerian music industry?
Wonu: I definitely saw the podcast playing an entertaining role and also an informative role. I figured that the podcast was definitely going to be a show where people can come and listen, have laughs, and just enjoy, and also still learn about the industry and learn about the ropes, behind the scenes, what goes on, what goes into it and what goes out of it. So yeah, I definitely saw it playing those two roles, and I think it's doing pretty well so far.
How do you go about finding these newly discovered music creatives? Do you have a specific selection process?
Wonu: Honestly, I feel like I'm always just looking for the newest. I'm always just looking for new artists. I listen to a lot of music, as I said, and I believe the music just finds me, honestly. If one person isn't recommending this new artist, somebody is finding this new artist on a playlist or I'm finding this artist on Instagram. Social media is also very, very important. It helps me a lot. Especially TikTok I think. I feel like my eyes are just always on the ground in terms of new music and what's next.
There was a bit of backlash from season 2 of Osikoya Speaks. How were you able to navigate that?
Wonu: Yeah, there was a bit of backlash. I said some stuff that was a bit annoying to some people, I guess. You know how stans and fans can be. How did I navigate that?
Basically, I genuinely stepped away from the entire scene. I just stepped out of it and I just watched the whole thing unravel. I paid a lot of attention to what was going on, what people were saying, how people were responding to it, just so if something like this happens next time, I'm not too shocked. But it was a learning experience for me, for sure. Definitely learned that the internet is not a real place. I also learned that whatever you're saying, you have to be confident in those ideals and make sure that you can defend your points. It might not be right to other people, but as long as it makes sense to you, that's all that matters. What I was saying made sense to me at the time, and I felt like I was able to defend what I was saying. I don't think that should be such a fight.
In your opinion, what are some of the most exciting current trends in Nigerian music?
Wonu: Honestly, I haven't really seen any current trends that are exciting in Nigerian music. I've just been seeing a lot of new artists coming from new cities and things like that, and I find that very interesting. But in terms of current trends, I don't think I've seen anything crazy.
How do you see the industry evolving in the coming years?
Wonu: Oh, my God, Afrobeats, the music industry in Nigeria is going to be so big. As long as people can really come together and fight for what they're fighting for or what we should be fighting for. The music scene in Nigeria is going to be unbelievably big. Some people are not going to understand how much yet. I think now that people have seen what Afrobeats can do, how much it can generate, I think people are starting to do more. People are willing to deep their feet in and care. The question is, how much do you really care? So, yeah, we’ll see. But I think from observation, in the next four, five years, the industry is going to skyrocket. .
What are the long-term goals for Osikoya Speaks?
Wonu: Honestly, we just have to wait and see what Osikoya Speaks will become. But long term goals, I'm really trying to create a dynasty, a media company. A proper media company, different aspects, different channels. Hopefully I will be able to start an online radio. I can just do a bunch of things. I'm hoping to create a dynasty with Osikoya Speaks, that's for sure.
With so much music being created, how do you stay on top of new releases and emerging artists?
Wonu: I listen to what I love. I listen to what I enjoy. I don't try to stay on top of anything, I can't lie. And somehow, as I said earlier, the music finds me. For it to catch my ear, I have to be able to listen to it for more than one second.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians or music creatives looking to break into the Nigerian industry?
Wonu; First, I would say, whatever you want to do, make sure that you’re certain about that path and just start. That's one thing that I tell everybody that asks me. Just start. You need to start something. For you to be able to keep going with anything, you need to be able to have started. So starting is always the most important thing. That's what I would say.
