Odunsi the Engine

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Odunsi (The Engine)
Odunsi on Soulection Radio
Odunsi on Soulection Radio
Background information
Birth nameBowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi
Also known asOdunsi (The Engine), Odunsi, The Engine
Born (1996-06-07) June 7, 1996 (age 28)
Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
Years active2016-present

Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi (born June 7, 1996) known professionally as Odunsi the Engine stylized Odunsi (The Engine) is a Nigerian alternative singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.[1] Odunsi came into the music scene in 2018 with his full-length debut album "Rare" which earned him nominations at The Headies and SoundCity MVP Awards establishing him as a critical figure in the innovative Nigerian Alté music scene, he is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Alte music. In 2019 he was profiled by The New York Times as the new guard of Nigerian music.[2][3][4][5]

Early life

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Odunsi (The Engine) was born on June 7, 1996, in the former capital of Nigeria, Lagos State. He grew up with his family in Lagos. Growing up he listened to R&B music from artistes like Donell Jones, Sade, Prince and King Sunny Ade which he credits his older brother for introducing him to the genre.[6][7] Odunsi grew up alongside his siblings. He had a good relationship with them but at some point felt alone while he was still a teen because he felt his older siblings were too old for him and his younger brother was too young for him. Odunsi dropped out of school in 2015 because of his struggle with A.D.H.D which he describes as part of his inspiration.[8][9]

Career

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Odunsi started honing his skills musically in high school with his friends where they often made songs in class before he started going to studio but was unable to afford the studio time. He started music professionally in 2015 as a record producer and rapper before transitioning into a singer the same year.[10] His debut single, "Vibrate" was released in 2016, same year he released "Happy Hour" featuring Okuntakinte which caught the notice of Mobo Awards and was listed as an artist to watch in 2016.[11] Same year he released "Situationship" featuring Aylø.[12] His debut studio album "Time Of Our Lives" was released same year.[13] The following year he released "Desire" featuring Funbi and Tay Iwar. His collaborative Extended play "War" with Nonso Amadi was released the same year and "Alte cruise" with Zamir and Cruel Santino was released in 2018. After releasing multiple singles including "Better Days" featuring WANI and "Decided" featuring Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Tems,[14][15][16][17] his second studio album which he saw success with "Rare" was released and featured stars like Davido, Amaarae, duendita, Cruel Santino, Nasty C, Hamza, Zamir, Runtown,[18] Solis and Tay Iwar. His 3rd studio album "EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS TRUE" was released in 2020.[19][20][21]

References

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  1. ^ "Odunsi the Engine Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  2. ^ "Top-Ten-Nigerian-Artistes-To-Watch-In-2019". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  3. ^ "Nigeria's alté scene: 'It's not just about the music, it's about freedom'". Financial Times. 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  4. ^ Akan, Joey; Tayo, Stephen; Tudela, Alex (2019-08-29). "The New Guard of Nigerian Musicians". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  5. ^ Peter, Dennis Ade (2019-10-20). "Headies 2019: Teni, Burna Boy & Falz lead award winners". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  6. ^ "Odunsi The Engine: The Dark Prince of Afro-Pop". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  7. ^ "Could Nigerian Artist, Odunsi (The Engine), Be the Next Drake?". Teen Vogue. 2019-09-20. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  8. ^ "Odunsi The Engine and RAYE's "Tipsy" is an intoxicating rush". The FADER. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  9. ^ Omotayo, Joseph (2019-09-01). "Foreign media lists Teni, 4 others as artists changing music rules in Nigeria". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  10. ^ Online, Tribune (2018-02-17). "Why I chose 'The Engine' as my stage name —Musician Odunsi". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  11. ^ "The Evolution of Odunsi The Engine". MoreBranches. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  12. ^ Okare, Fisayo (2017-06-07). "Essentials: Here are five of the most definitive tracks by Odunsi". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  13. ^ "Odunsi the Engine: Representing the New Generation". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  14. ^ "Watch Odunsi (The Engine)'s New Video For 'Wetin Dey / Better Days' - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  15. ^ "The Ones: Odunsi's "Wetin Dey/Better Days" [ft. Wani]". Pitchfork. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  16. ^ "The 10 Best Nigerian Songs of the Month (April) - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  17. ^ Animashaun, Damilola (2020-04-07). "Best New Music: Odunsi The Engine & Tems' "Decided" is the perfect song for self-reflection". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  18. ^ "Watch Odunsi The Engine's stellar new video for the track 'Star Signs'". www.newwavemagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  19. ^ GQ. "Odunsi The Engine: 'We Are All Connected'".
  20. ^ "Odunsi (The Engine): EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS TRUE". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  21. ^ "Listen to Odunsi The Engine's superb new EP, Everything You Heard Is True". The FADER. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
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