Today we’d like to introduce you to Adeola.
Hi Adeola, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been singing since childhood, crafting melodies from poetry books I found in my great grandma’s house. I wasn’t always good at it, though. My family would tease me about my nasal tone. Saying I sounded like Squidward. Those words caused me to withdraw from singing as often and I kept to myself.
Eventually, I learned to switch from singing in my nose to my throat. My mom had overheard me singing and enrolled me in vocal training. My vocal trainer, Ms. Queen, was amazing! I wish I could go back in time to thank her for all of the techniques and confidence she instilled in me.
From there, I embraced every opportunity to perform, writing my own songs, although I hesitated to release them due to copyright concerns.
Later, in my early 20s, I had a short tenure as part of a small community that promoted the ideals of abstaining from anything secular. I may not have had the best experience as part of this community, but it did encourage me to take writing my own music more seriously to the extent that I was able to create music that could be enjoyed by the group and myself.
They hosted an event requesting me to perform, but this is where I met one of my best friends, Ilias, who was an artist himself. With Ilias’ help, I delved into music production, taking my craft seriously and immersing myself in the creative community. Thus, Adeola was born, marking the culmination of my musical evolution.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has definitely not been easy. I wasn’t prepared for all the things that come with releasing music, being an independent artist, and funding. I’ve noticed you have to balance being guarded but also open. There are people out there who will try to take advantage of you, so I think it’s important to have discernment and make sure you have a copy of everything. In the same breath, I learned I can’t completely block others out of my process. Closed mouths don’t get fed, and as an introvert, it can be hard to put myself out there and network with strangers. Networking really allows for so many opportunities and friendships to be built.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer-songwriter. I draw a lot of my inspiration from the sounds I grew up listening to, such as RnB, neo-soul, house, African music, and jazz. The stories I write in my songs involve vulnerability and empowerment. The biggest part of pursuing this journey is pushing my own self-discovery and healing. I hope that my audience is able to resonate with my message and it helps them along their journey as well. I’m really excited to finally drop my ep ‘Tomorrow.’ Ilias and I have worked endlessly on this project. The tracks are beautifully captivating and atmospheric. I’m very proud of the efforts, the melodies, and the courage I’ve built to start being open with my art.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There’s so much that goes into being an independent artist, it’s insane. Between funding yourself, the many nights spent in the studio, and networking so you’re connected to the community. I knew there was a lot of work that went into this career, but I’m learning firsthand all of the ins and outs. It requires a lot of drive and belief in yourself and your craft. It’s something I can find release and joy in, so it doesn’t really feel like work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shayter.tot
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/adeola-938699819
Image Credits
Ilias
