[FEATURE] VIPER PRESENTS: OLAKIRA

Multifaceted Afropop sensation, Olakira recently dropped a double A-side ‘Ileke’ and ‘Kisses’, we caught up with the Nigerian musician, producer and Maserati brand ambassador to get to familiar…

What five words define your sound?

Melodious. AfroRnB. Rich. Happy. Natural.

Tell me something unique about your creative process

As a producer and a player of most musical instruments, I begin the creative process by producing the beat or playing an instrument before writing.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

‘In My Maserati’! [Laughs] that song changed my life!

What inspired you to make that song?

My love for women and exotic cars.

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?

I was writing songs even in my depressed state, whilst undergoing therapy.

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

The best experience was performing at a private wedding in Kenya, the couple and I just connected on stage and danced all night. All the attendees sang my songs word for word. The worst experience would have to be performing on a church stage, but this was right before the fame.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘In My Maserati’ and ‘Hey lover’

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

Most definitely the legendary Styl-Plus and their body of work.

What’s the meaning behind your name?

It means ‘Shining star/Super Star’, in the Maasai Language.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Farming, I’ve got a love for Agriculture.

What’s success to you?

Success for me is to able to lift others up at will.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction? 

It was definitely my break, I had to take time off to deal with depression and addiction. I had to go through therapy. It was at that time I started contemplating giving up or actually coming out stronger. I chose to stay up; hence the redirection. 

Where can people keep in touch with you?

All my social media platforms, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok – @iamolakira.