Odunsi (The Engine), born Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi on June 7, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria, has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of the Nigerian alté music scene. His innovative fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and hip hop has garnered both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Beyond his musical releases, Odunsi has been active in engaging with his audience through social media, sharing insights into his creative process and personal reflections.
This December, on the 20th, Odunsi added another milestone to his career by releasing the first deluxe version of his album, Leather Park, titled Leather Park 1.5. The already standout album, featuring hits like Nigerian Boyfriend, now boasts a second disc with three new tracks that further showcase Odunsi’s creative brilliance.
As the year draws to a close, Odunsi is set to reunite with his roots by headlining his show in Ikeja, Lagos, on Christmas eve, titled YOU ARE NOT ALONE. This performance is not just a homecoming but also a celebration of his journey and growth as an artist.
In this exclusive interview with Deeds Magazine, Odunsi reveals his experiences throughout 2024, discussing personal revelations, the intricacies of his creative process, and his aspirations for the future. His reflections offer a deeper understanding of the man behind the music and his unwavering dedication to his craft—striving to be the greatest to ever do it!
Deeds Magazine: How has 2024 been for you?
Odunsi (The Engine): It’s been very revealing.
Deeds Magazine: Mmm, in what sense?
Odunsi (The Engine): In the sense that I’ve spent more time actually rediscovering myself compared to any other time in my life, well, consciously.
Deeds Magazine: Is that through music or just personally?
Odunsi (The Engine): Yeah, man. The music is always personal, so everything.
Deeds Magazine: What would you say are the key things you’ve learned about yourself?
Odunsi (The Engine): Man, it’s extremely… I feel ashamed of being, like, popular, kind of.
Deeds Magazine: Being popular makes you anxious?
Odunsi (The Engine): No, I feel ashamed.
Deeds Magazine: Ashamed, why?
Odunsi (The Engine): Oh no.
Deeds Magazine: I mean, if you go back and listen to some songs, I think your publicity is very well deserved, if you ask me. And I don’t just mean the songs, I mean your rollout, just being an artist and branding as a whole.
Odunsi (The Engine): Yeah, it definitely has a shameful side to it, for sure.
Deeds Magazine: Can you go into detail about that?
Odunsi (The Engine): I’d love to, but I don’t even know if I have the understanding of it to do that.
Deeds Magazine: Mmm, something you’re still processing?
Odunsi (The Engine): Yeah.
Deeds Magazine: I saw on your Twitter earlier, you said by 2025, you’ll try liking people who like you. Can you tell us what that means? Beyond the surface value, I mean.
Odunsi (The Engine): You know, it’s more like advice.
Deeds Magazine: Advice for just your followers or…?
Odunsi (The Engine): Yeah, just anyone out there. I know that’s something people struggle with. We always like things that don’t like us or want things that don’t want us. It’s just human nature.
Deeds Magazine: Yeah, I think it has a lot to do with people’s upbringing or maybe just psychology. Why do we struggle with wanting what we don’t have?
Odunsi (The Engine): Exactly, because we already have what we need.
Deeds Magazine: That’s deep.
Odunsi (The Engine): It’s part of some of the taboos we really enjoy.
Deeds Magazine: Let’s go into the music. Odunsi (The Engine) has always been someone who creates music without following traditional boundaries, while staying connected to Nigerian roots. Like the 5% rule—if you want to come up with something innovative yet familiar, you just change 5% of a particular idea. How do you approach making music with that in mind?
Odunsi (The Engine): I don’t know if I analyze it that way. I like to imagine it’s the result of everything I’ve experienced. I’m a big fan of Nigerian music and music in general. I’ve listened to so much, and I have a very large pool of influences. Most people who grew up the way I did probably have a similar approach to making music.
Deeds Magazine: What kind of sounds and genres were you exposed to growing up?
Odunsi (The Engine): A lot, and at a really young age. I was lucky to have that kind of access.
Deeds Magazine: Who exposed you to that? Parents, siblings?
Odunsi (The Engine): My older brother.
Deeds Magazine: He’s was much older and had already digested a variety of music?
Odunsi (The Engine): Yeah.
Deeds Magazine: For many people, the first introduction to Odunsi (The Engine) was in secondary school, SS1 or SS2, with songs like Young Stuff. What challenges or triumphs have shaped your path as an artist in the industry?
Odunsi (The Engine): It wasn’t really a challenge or transition because it always felt the same. Music and media tell stories, and back then, the story was told through a collective lens. Now, it’s developed into different individual stories.
Deeds Magazine: Let’s talk about visuals and aesthetics. Your recent rollout for Nigerian Boyfriend included a birthday cake and office-themed visuals. How important is visual storytelling to you?
Odunsi (The Engine): It could be anything, honestly. I don’t have a rigid perspective. Sometimes I have the image first, sometimes the music. Both are equally important.
Deeds Magazine: Can you walk me through the creative direction for Nigerian Boyfriend? Was it the music or the visuals that came first?
Odunsi (The Engine): I just thought Nigerian Boyfriend was a cool name. I don’t know why no one had done it before. It just felt fun.
Deeds Magazine: Your upcoming show on Tuesday is in Ikeja. Why the Mainland?
Odunsi (The Engine): It’s my roots. It’s where I grew up, started making music, and met most of my close collaborators. It’s like bringing it back home.
Deeds Magazine: In some sense, it’s a homecoming?
Odunsi (The Engine): You could say that, but it’s not that dramatic. It’s more about reconnecting with fans and the music.
Deeds Magazine: You’ve been independent for a while now. What’s it like being an independent artist in today’s global Nigerian music scene?
Odunsi (The Engine): I’ve experienced both being with a major label and being independent. They both have their perks. It’s not about striving to be independent or signed; it’s about making great music and doing what works for you.
Deeds Magazine: After Rare, you mentioned wanting to be the greatest, whatever that means. Do you still feel that way?
Odunsi (The Engine): I’m still learning and improving. I want to be a better performer, songwriter, producer, and communicator. It’s a journey, and I’m patient with it.
Deeds Magazine: 2025 is around the corner. What should we expect from Odunsi next year?
Odunsi (The Engine): I’m not sure yet, but it’ll be interesting. 2024 set the tone, and I think 2025 will be the most accurate manifestation of my vision so far.
Deeds Magazine: As a fan, I can’t wait to see what you have for us next year. Performances, music, visuals… we’ll be watching.
Odunsi (The Engine): Thank you. It’ll be exciting.
Odunsi (The Engine) embodies a rare blend of vulnerability and creative fearlessness. From rediscovering himself in 2024 to creating music that pushed boundaries, he has proven that artistry is as much about self-reflection as it is about innovation. As he takes the stage on Christmas Eve for YOU ARE NOT ALONE, he invites us into a shared experience of music, performance arts, emotion, and connection—a fitting crescendo to a year marked by milestones. With Leather Park 1.5 breathing fresh life into an already dynamic catalog, Odunsi reaffirms his position as a vanguard of the Nigerian alté scene.
As he sets his sights on 2025, the journey promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Odunsi’s unwavering dedication to his craft and his evolving vision leave us certain of one thing: this is still the beginning of a legacy redefining greatness.
