CREATIVE CURRENTS WITH UWA

CREATIVE CURRENTS WITH UWA 

Issue 3.0 July 2025

Interview conducted by Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa 

Design: Chiagozie Tochukwu Mbuba 

Q. Let’s start at the roots — what sparked your journey into music, and how has it evolved from when you started to where you are now ?

A. Funny enough my journey with music started very young , I was always surrounded by music but it actually started cause I had a crush on a girl when I was younger and I was lowkey too shy to tell her so I used to write songs for her and ever since then it’s just been my outlet and the best way I could express myself . Overtime it became my therapy in a sense . My sound has evolved in so many different ways and the beautiful thing is that it’s still evolving , I first started off rapping and just generally experimenting different sounds but when I found afrofusion I knew it was the perfect sound for me to express my thoughts with.

Q. Afro-fusion is such a broad and dynamic genre. Describe your sound — and tell us what makes it uniquely “UWA”

A. Afro fusion is really home for me because it gives me the freedom to explore so many different sounds while still retaining my African roots . I don’t like to box myself to one particular sound but I always aim to retain my identity as an african artist because it’s my reality and Afro fusion allows me do that .  My sound blends different genres such as R&B , dancehall , Afrobeats and alternative music but what makes it unique to me is rawness in the delivery  . Whether I’m talking about love , ambition or loss I always like to make music that can be felt .

Q. Your lyrics feel deeply intentional — raw, reflective, sometimes romantic. Walk us through your creative process from the first idea to final track.

A. Honestly speaking whenever I’m creating I just go based off how I’m feeling at that moment or what’s on my mind and just express it in the best way I can . I don’t try to force or complicate it , I let my emotions and the music take control . I like my creative process as spontaneous as possible , It may seem wild but I believe there’s beauty in the madness.

Q. Balancing a finance degree with an active music career isn’t an easy feat. How do you manage that dual identity and does one ever influence the other?

A. It’s definitely been a juggle, but it keeps me grounded and makes the journey more intriguing . Studying finance gives me a different perspective of the industry. It’s helped me approach my music career with a business mindset. I’m not just creating art; I’m building a brand and identity . But music is where my heart is, and that passion fuels everything I do. So even when the days get hectic and I feel demotivated , I remind myself why I started this in the first place to keep me level headed .

Q. What are some of the real challenges you’ve faced as an emerging artist, and how have you navigated them?

A. Honestly I would say juggling school and work with music is one of the biggest challenges but as each day passes I’m learning to handle it better and getting better with time management . Also being an independent artist has been one of the challenges but I’ve learnt to believe in patience and consistency. Creating quality music without major label support and complete personal funding takes sacrifice , but I believe strongly  in  my long-term vision. I’d rather build slow and solid to establish a core community of people that are willing to grow with me than rush and fade.

Q. Let’s talk environment — how has living between Lagos and Toronto shaped the kind of music you make and the way you connect with audiences?

A. Lagos is known to be a very busy city , it gave me that hustle and “get it by any means “ mindset . Living in Lagos helped me cultivate the attitude of a dreamchaser. Toronto offered me a new perspective to my sound by virtue of me being an African in diaspora . Living in the 6ix helped me bring a more smooth and chill vibe to my music thereby creating a balance . My music is a blend of my experiences in both cities ; it has that groovy bounce of living in lasgidi and the chill of the 6ix.

Q. The Genesis Showcase Tour took you through Toronto and Lagos. What was your favorite place to perform, and which song do you love performing most ?

A. Both cities hold a special place in my heart, being able to perform in cities home and abroad at this point in my career is a blessing . There’s nothing like the energy of a home crowd in Lagos  but I would say Toronto was more intimate — people really listened. My favorite songs to perform right now are “belly dancer “ and “Bad Girl Riri “ . “Belly dancer “ has that bounce that gets people moving, When the beat drops and the crowd starts singing along — that’s a feeling I can’t explain. Whenever I perform “Bad Girl Riri “ it’s always this infectious energy that the crowd gives , it’s a lovely thing to experience.

Q. What’s been the most unforgettable experience so far on this musical journey?

A. I’ve had a couple unforgettable experiences but one that really stuck with me and felt surreal was probably my first radio interview and my song being played on radio for the first time . It made all the work that I’ve been putting in feel worth it . Also, seeing strangers sing my lyrics at shows — that’s always an experience I’ll never take for granted.

Q. You’ve been able to perform on the same stage with superstars like Joeboy and Len at such an early stage in your career how has that impacted and motivated you on your journey?

A. It’s an unreal feeling . Sharing the same space with artists I admire reminded me that I belong in this industry — that Its no longer a dream , It’s now my reality .Those experiences inspire me to move with more intention . Being in these environments gave me the push I needed to level up.

Q. The public has started paying attention — and for good reason. What else can fans expect from you for the rest of 2025? Any new drops, visuals, collabs?

A. Most definitely ! 2025 isn’t done I’m still warming up . I have a couple collaborations in the works and I’m also working on my first project at the moment and I promise you it’s worth looking forward to. We are only just getting started.

Q. Looking ahead, where do you see UWA — the artist and the brand — in the next five years? What legacy are you building, both sonically and personally?

A. In five years, I see UWA as a global superstar , I know  I’m destined to be one — but more than that, I want to be known for pushing the culture to greater heights . I mean no one lives forever but my aim is to create something that outlives me . Sonically, I want to keep pushing Afro-fusion forward and spread the beauty that lies in the sound . Personally, I just want to live life to inspire people and put my people on . I want to be a living testimony that with hard work and consistency you can accomplish your dreams and I’m on currently on that journey  , that’s the legacy I’m building - one of greatness.