When discussing genre-bending artists, Onoola-sama should be added to the conversation. This
Toronto-based Nigerian artist is making breakthroughs in music. Going through Onoola-sama’s discography, it’s clear that she draws inspiration from genres like: Rap, Trap, Alternative R&B, and Cyber/Electronic Rap. She is carving a lane for herself as an African artist, by blending sounds that none of her peers are doing. Onoola’s Spotify bio says “super cool fun hot sexy music…” and listening to her discography and her most recent EP, fujiBouyon+, one could not agree more.
A brief history lesson on Bouyon music for listeners. According to A Virtual Dominica, Bouyon
is “a unique blend of Dominica’s traditional dance and music, composed of Mazouk, Quadrille,
Jin Ping” and a couple of other styles. Bouyon is pronounced: Boo-Yah. The sound of Bouyon is a
blend of pumping, pounding, and banging drums mixed with versatile MIDI-sounds of prominent
keyboards.
fujiBouyon+ as an EP is everything Bouyon mixed with Onoola-sama’s unique sound and vocals
as an artist. The EP starts with the song “storyman*” which talks about what it’s like dealing with a
man who is all empty promises, lies, and untrustworthy. She says, “you lie say dat yuh pockets are
bounty wide, you’ll take me to Germany, you tell me a bunch of words, you better keep up with
this…” a totally relatable bar for Gen Z, and it fits the title of the song: storyman.
“fujiBouyon” and “fêteRock*” featuring DEELA are the two songs that come after “storyman*”, and these songs are dance-heavy and for dancing. DEELA’s feature on “fêteRock*” was a clean delivery that added flavor and contrast to the track, elevating it entirely. The two artists (Onoola-Sama and DEELA) on the track held their own, a genius collaboration.
Onoola-Sama closes out the EP with “#1ileshaBaby*.” Another dance-heavy song, in this song she
essentially speaks on how she’s the baddest and that she’s number one, not the two, but in an
electrifying, charismatic, percussive way. Ilesha is a city located in Osun State, in southwest
Nigeria, paying homage to her roots as a Yoruba woman. Towards the end of the song (0.35
seconds), she starts singing “You bad, you want it…(4x)” and a wave of nostalgia washed over
me, I’m not aware if this was intentional or not, but that part reminds me of the intro to “You Bad”
by Nigerian Artist Wande Coal. Curious to hear what a mix of both songs would sound like.
Overall, fujiBouyon+ by Onoola-Sama is a percussive masterpiece. Listeners will be amazed to
hear how her flow as an artist effortlessly blended with Bouyon-inspired beats. The whole EP
should be a party/dance/summer classic.
Onoola-sama
Instagram | Listen to fujiBouyon+ on Spotify
