Odunsi the Engine
Nigerian Alté pioneer and alternative music artist.
Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi, known professionally as Odunsi the Engine, is a Nigerian alternative singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer. He emerged in 2018 with his debut album "Rare," earning nominations at The Headies and SoundCity MVP Awards. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Nigerian Alté music scene and was profiled by The New York Times as the new guard of Nigerian music.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Bowofoluwa Olufisayo Odunsi
- Alias
- Odunsi (The Engine)
- Odunsi
- The Engine
- Born
- 7 June 1996
- Birthplace
- Lagos State, Nigeria
- Genre
- Alté
- Hip hop
- Contemporary R&B
- Afrobeats
- Occupation
- Singer-Songwriter
- Rapper
- Record Producer
- Years active
- 2016-present
Facts from the source article.
Early life
Odunsi was born on June 7, 1996, in Lagos State and grew up there with his family. He listened to R&B artists such as Donell Jones, Sade, Prince and King Sunny Ade, introduced by his older brother. He felt alone as a teen because his older siblings seemed too old and his younger brother too young. He dropped out of school in 2015 due to his struggle with ADHD, which he describes as part of his inspiration.
Career
Odunsi first got into music during high school, making songs with classmates in class, though he couldn't pay for studio sessions. He turned professional in 2015, starting as a producer and rapper before shifting to singing that same year. His first single, "Vibrate," dropped in 2016, followed by "Happy Hour" with Okuntakinte, which earned him a spot on the MOBO Awards' artists to watch list for 2016. Also in 2016, he released "Situationship" featuring Aylø and his debut album "Time Of Our Lives." The collaborative EP "Alte cruise" with Zamir and Cruel Santino came out in 2018. After putting out singles like "Better Days" with WANI and "Decided" with Tems, his second album "Rare" arrived, featuring Davido, Amaarae, duendita, Cruel Santino, Nasty C, Hamza, Zamir, Runtown, Solis, and Tay Iwar. His third album, "EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS TRUE," was released in 2020.
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