Odunsi the Engine: Representing the New Generation

Odunsi the Engine is a fast rising star of the Lagos alté scene. Born Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi, he has created global buzz around his synth-pop-meets-R&B music that smoothly infuses afrobeats production. Establishing this unique sound on his debut album, Time Of Our Lives (2016), Odunsi followed up with a second album, rare, in 2018. As an artist, Odunsi flies a flag for a new wave of Nigerian creativity - often flying in the face of traditional gatekeepers at a time when Nigerian culture is undergoing big shifts, spearheaded by the younger generation.

Here Odunsi tells us his thoughts on the changes currently being experienced in Nigerian pop culture.

As an artist, do you think you are a voice for your fellow Nigerians?
I feel like I represent a newer generation of young africans. Nigerians who are older may not understand. For them it’s just like ‘why are you doing this? This is not Nigerian’.

Why do you think there is a generational shift in thinking?
Theres so much money being made from a particular narrative. But for us it’s like ‘what do you mean?’ We grew up watching cable TV, things from Asia, the US, the UK, we have way more access so it’s harder for us to be one thing.

Do you think that Nigeria is becoming more diverse and open minded in it’s thinking, from a culture perspective?
The message of diversity just means when we don’t see enough representation in different ways, we only have a perception in place. The culture is what you grew up with, but it’s always changing. So when people say ‘this isn’t our culture’ because it was done fifty years ago, they always get that wrong. Because culture always changes.

So what does culture mean to you?
It’s more about self-realisation. Who you are. What you could be. That for me is more important because I feel like eventually, because of the internet, we’re all going to be global citizens. What do you bring to wherever you’re going?