From The Studio To The Spotlight with Owan & Larbi
Issue 5.0 (May. 2025)
Interview conducted by Ayo Fabiyi
Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu
Ghanaian duo Owan&Larbi have been making waves with their unique blend of sound and heartfelt lyrics. After dropping their EP Here’s to New Beginnings in 2024, they’ve continued to captivate audiences with their journey and artistry. With their latest single “She Bad” marking a new chapter, Solid Guy Magazine caught up with the duo to discuss their creative process, the lessons they’ve learned, and what the future holds.
Q. You’ve been together for a while now. How did Owan&Larbi come to be, and what brought you together as a duo?
A. It all started with us free styling to beats during one of our vacation days. This is around the time we were in the university.
Q. Here’s to New Beginnings was a turning point for many fans discovering your sound. What message or feeling did you want to convey through that project?
A. The sense of a new beginning. Also, we had just started making music professionally, so the tape served as a rite of passage to our target audience.
Q. How do you feel you’ve grown as artists since the release of that EP last year? Has your approach to music changed in any way?
A. We have been more consciously involved in the curation of the sound for this phase of ours. With the EP we had the beats that spoke to us sonically and as a result we came up with the befitting lyrics.
Q. “She Bad” has a different vibe compared to some of your previous songs. What does this track represent for you both, personally and as artists?
A. Our very first attempt at being more hands on with the production together with our producer friend ‘Probenny’ and this how it turned out. We had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback on the resonance of the sound. This represents growth and the potential for more exploration in the future. Our next single has that similar potential, wait on it.
Q. Every artist faces challenges in the industry. What would you say has been the hardest part of navigating the music scene, especially in Ghana?
A. There aren’t enough opportunities and avenues for Artists like us, especially on the come up. Almost everything too hinges on a transactional relationship which usually doesn’t yield the desired outcome because not all the stakeholders truly see the industry for how it actually operates.
Q. Your sound is very distinct. How do you stay true to that while also experimenting with new genres or styles, like with “She Bad”?
A. There is a versatility gene in us. We explore a lot but there is one that is for sure, whenever you hear an Owan & Larbi song, you would just feel it.
Q. As a duo, how do you manage creative differences? Do you both have specific roles when working on a song?
A. First of all we are more like brothers. The synergy between us is always great. It sometimes feels magical when we realize that we have just birthed a song without even going about it to the stringent standards. Music creation isn’t formulaic.
Q. A lot of your music feels like it’s a conversation with your audience. What’s the core message you want listeners to take away from your songs?
A. The message is that they have this duo in their corner that they can always listen to.
Q. Onnine seems to be a significant part of your journey. How did your collaboration with them come about, and how has that partnership influenced your sound and career?
A. Another brother who has been around since this whole thing started. He is such an amazing artist that everyone should check him out. There is so much coming from respective camps. You guys would love it.
Q. Looking ahead, what does 2025 have in store for Owan & Larbi? Should fans expect more singles like “She Bad,” or is there a larger project coming soon?
A. They should expect more music. Owan & Larbi season is here!
Q. In such a fast-paced industry, how do you stay grounded and focused on your personal and artistic growth?
A. We feel like there is so much work to do and so many amazing songs that we want to share. These help keep us focused. The eye is on a bigger prize, just watch and support us.
Q. Ghana’s music scene is really having a moment globally. How do you see yourselves contributing to this international recognition of African music?
A. This is the reason why we are so much concerned with the sound now. We want to bring something extremely distinct to this table. Good enough, She bad, our debut single of the year is there to prove it.
Q. What has working with Onnine taught you about the business side of music, and how do you balance that with your artistic vision?
A. We have all been teaching each other a thing or two about the business side of the music. With this particular release being She bad, we made sure that the metadata captured everyone and their involvement in its creation.
Q. Has there been a moment in your career so far that really made you feel like you’ve found your sound, or is that still a work in progress?
A. We have the sound but we are also being creative, working and exploring everyday is our goal.
Q. What’s been the most rewarding part of being in a duo creatively and personally?
A. We get to create art as real brothers. There is nothing more beautiful than this. It’s rewarding because it has given us the chance to share our stories with others. On our own, we don’t think we would’ve even had that zeal to go about it like this.
Q. Looking back at the start of your journey, if you could give yourselves one piece of advice, what would it be?
A. Don’t rush. Take it slow and learn.
Q. Finally, what do you want to be remembered for in the music industry? What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
A. Our shows. The experience we want to share is similar to a crusade that leaves an everlasting impact for everyone that gets to see us live. Songs that touch hearts and make you extremely happy.
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