Hiya thandiwe, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been deeply connected to music. As a young child, I used to come home from elementary and middle school and watch VH1 Soul and MTV Jams, planning and manifesting my future in the music industry. By the time I was in high school I channeled my love for music into DJ’ing at my friends parties and producing my own beats. Once I reached college I pretty much instantly jumped into my career, starting the duo OSHUN with my sis Niambi.
What’s the live music scene like in the DMV right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)? The music scene is as vibrant as it’s always been. The DMV music scene has a lot diversity, still rooted deeply in a collective culture. Right now my favorite artist in the area is Precious Jewel.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this? I have mixed emotions to be honest, lol. As an artist my biggest priority is to remain authentic — to not force myself to create fluff or put pressures on myself that I’m not comfortable with when it comes to content curation. At the same time, social media is fun if you make it fun, and I’m learning to not overthink it, just be myself and share my world with the people who are interested.
How do you manage engagement on your socials? I do the best that I can on a given day. I try to engage as much as possible with comments, feedback, and give the people what they want, but I’m a very laid back person, doing everything on my own. Some days I’m more engaged than others.
What’s your view on the Music industry today? We’re truly in interesting times. I started my career in 2013, and so much has changed since then. I think there is a lot of oversaturation and therefore a lot of space for innovation. As both an artist and music enthusiast, I’m excited to create art that hasn’t been created before, and develop new approaches to getting music out in the world. Music is the most accessible that it’s ever been, which can be a blessing or a curse, it just depends on what the artist is bringing to the table.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry? I think I’m very much in a calm before the storm when it comes to my career. I’ve seen a lot of success with OSHUN, but my solo career is still very new and fresh. I’m in the humble beginning, steadily but surely gaining more listeners and introducing my sound and brand. I know there are eyes on me, but I’m still at the part where I’m proving what I can do as a solo artist.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music? Patience is everything. I’ve really had to start over from scratch when it comes to my solo pursuit, and I’m doing everything on my own. Although I’m extremely blessed to have a core fan base, I know that I’m on a journey toward the success I know my music deserves, and I’ve been learning that it won’t and shouldn’t come overnight. I’m enjoying the process and natural trend of growth when it comes to support, opportunities, and making connections.
What was your best experience on stage? My best experience on stage is a phenomenon that happens often when I perform, when I go into a sonic trance, the space becomes only me the microphone and my soul emerges pure and unadulterated. I feel like my most authentic and empowered self and start to lose myself in the music. Audience can tell, because it’s when my vocals really start to become limitless. I usually have to warm up to it, but it’s a special moment every time.
What was your worst experience on stage? my worst experience was definitely in my early touring years, when I dropped the mic at a major summer festival In Norway, lol.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about. I spend half the year in Nigeria! I’m an international artist 🙂 My husband and I have a beautiful, spiritual home in Osogbo, Osun State.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it? My newest release is “advice” , which just dropped this past Friday 8/1. I really love this song, it’s a soulful reminder to myself and a bit of medicine for everyone listening.
What was the recording process like? I recorded this song 100% by myself. I recorded some of it in Pirate Studios in Brooklyn, but also did most of the work in my bedroom closet. I even did the mix and master. I’m pretty proud of myself!
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes? My biggest learning curve with “advice” was trusting the process. I’m usually a fast creative — I like to write, record, and release music as soon as possible. But this song took almost a year between writer’s block, branding concepts, and overall confidence. I allowed time to pass until I truly thought it was ready and I didn’t give up on it.
Would you change anything now it’s finished? There are a few minute mixing details that I hear, but at this point I think those notes are just me overthinking. I genuinely love this song.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world? I’m only getting started with this solo journey. I’m taking my own “advice” (pun intended, lol) when I say that I’m remaining patient with my career. I will continue to feed the streets with soul nurturing music and I’m hoping to share a mixtape in the next year or so!
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