Rising Star Omizzy Opens Up About His Afrobeats Journey and Working with Zlatan Ibile

Lagos-bred artist Omizzy is charting his own course in the Afrobeats scene, and he’s not afraid to share the real story behind his rise. Since dropping his debut single “One Life” in 2020, the Surulere native has been steadily building momentum with tracks like “Hard Work” and the football-inspired anthem “Osimhen,” released in 2023 and 2024 respectively. In a candid new interview, Omizzy pulls back the curtain on his creative process, the meaning behind his music, and what it took to pursue his dreams despite early family resistance.

The artist traces his musical awakening back to his childhood days in Surulere, where a single stage performance ignited a passion that would define his future. But it’s his recent work that’s really turning heads. Take his track “Osimhen,” named after Nigerian football sensation Victor Osimhen—Omizzy insists there’s deeper meaning beyond just being a fan of the Super Eagles striker. Then there’s “Danfo Driver,” his collaboration with street-hop heavyweight Zlatan Ibile, which Omizzy describes as one of the best studio sessions he’s ever experienced. The chemistry between the two artists was undeniable, with the song’s authentic street narratives making it natural for them to connect creatively.

Like many African artists before him, Omizzy faced pushback from his family when he first announced his musical ambitions. Rather than abandon his education or his passion, he chose a quieter path—continuing his studies while developing his sound away from the spotlight. Now, with several releases under his belt and meaningful collaborations to his name, Omizzy is looking ahead to the future of Afrobeats itself. He’s vocal about wanting his upcoming work to push the genre further onto the global stage, all while navigating the new frontier of artificial intelligence and its impact on music creation.

As Omizzy continues to refine his craft and build his catalog, he represents a new generation of Nigerian artists committed to both honoring the Afrobeats tradition and evolving it for the digital age. With his authentic Lagos perspective and willingness to take creative risks, he’s one to watch.

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