Once anyone listens to Olumayowa Morenike Sobamowo, better known as Myoa’s songs for the first time, there is always a quick comparison with Sade Adu and Asa. She actually shares similarities with the duo; they do the same kind of music.
But the American-based singer feels that her sound is quite different. She told The Point, that she does not feel bad when compared with Sade Adu or any other person.
She said, “If you go to iTunes, they would say I sound like certain people. But I have to be confident in myself. No one has my tone. Sade does not have my tone and I do not have hers too or any other person’s tone.
I get inspirations from many people, including Sade because she is evergreen.” The soul pop singer ended her tour of Nigeria last Thursday with a listening session in Ikoyi, Lagos, before leaving to attend the 59th Grammy awards. Though she was born in Nigeria, she has lived a large part of her years in the United Kingdom and America.
As a matter of fact, she has a band in America and she is doing quite well. The singer, however, explained that she loved to be more involved in Nigeria and Africa, and had prepared herself for the terrain.
She stated, “Here in Nigeria, the likes of Asa, Aramide and Omawumi do not release all the time, but people appreciate them when they release materials. I am not saying others are not deep; they are great artistes too and I listen to them. “Soul music is just different.
I do not feel threatened because I know my lane. As a song writer, it is about being able to write the right song. I am not the type who rushes and puts out songs.” While admitting that her style of music could never be as popular as Beyoncé’s pop, the graduate of University of Plymouth said she was not interested in numbers.
“My music would appeal to a group of people and I am satisfied do music for such people alone,” she said. “In America or Nigeria, soul is not the most popular music. But I cannot focus on that, because I have to be me and do what I feel is right. It is not about how many people my music appeals to; I know I have my audience.
“Nigerians are very passionate people and the music that lives in us is soulful. Even for popular songs, they have great melody,” Myoa added.
Her EP, ‘My Beautiful Journey,’ comprises five tracks produced by Cobhams. Myoa hinted that she was willing to work with more Nigerian producers and probably released her album in September.
She said, “People are getting to know the EP right now. I plan to release my debut album in September, and there will be one or two collaborations. Songs on my EP would be part of my album.”
