Amid an alarming era of dwindling artistic merit and dubious vocalists, Nigerian songstress Ogi Ifediora, better known as simply “Ogi,” is the silver lining we never knew we needed.
Vindicated by her outstanding, neo-soul vocal acumen coupled with her affinity for hard-hitting, touch-your-soul lyricism, Ogi rises as a salient outlier among today’s R&B landscape.
Through an organic discovery of her passion for singing, Ogi started off in her college acapella choir and eventually started curating vocal covers of songs from some of her favorite artists on Instagram.
One particular song she covered was “Alright” by PJ Morton, which led to a series of life-altering situations for the rising talent.
In a moment of major serendipity, PJ Morton reposted her cover, which caught the attention of legendary producer No I.D. Since then, he collaborated with her for her single: “I Got It” and has signed her to his label: ARTium Recordings.
Fresh off the heels of her critically-acclaimed, 6-track EP: “Monologues,” which dropped in 2022, Ogi has been keeping busy and expanding her optics more and more.
Teaming up with Silk Almondmilk, Ogi is a premier participant in their new “Tiny Kitchen Concert” series, which functions as a backdrop for intimate, acoustic performances from the next generation of up-and-coming artists. Alongside other rising artists Daniel Seavey, Brittney Spencer, and JORDY, Ogi is also showcasing her favorite ways to enjoy her breakfast with Silk Almondmilk.
“Adding more plant-based options into my diet helps me feel the best, especially when I’m touring and performing,” said Ogi. “Silk Almondmilk provides a seriously smooth delicious plant-based start to my morning.”
Starting March 28th, consumers can tap into the Silk YouTube, TikTok, Instagram channels and each artist’s TikTok channel to enjoy the Silk Almondmilk Tiny Kitchen Concerts. Fans can join in on the fun by showing us how they remix their favorite breakfast recipes with Silk Almondmilk on TikTok or Instagram for a chance to win Silk Almondmilk for the year and a 12-month membership to your favorite music streaming platform.
Currently opening up for Masego on his “You Never Visit Me” tour, JaJuan Malachi of The Knockturnal was able to snag some of her time to discuss a healthy plethora of relevant matters: her vocal aptitude, how she got into professionally making music, being on tour with Masego, new music, her recent partnership with Silk Almondmilk, her musical influences and more.
Here is the how the conversation went:
JaJuan: When did you first realize you could sing exceptionally well?
Ogi: I always loved singing, but I didn’t really know that I was particularly good until I got into an a cappella group in college. Up until that point, singing had never been a strong part of my identity; it was never more than a hobby. But it was during that time when some of the best instrumentalists that I’ve ever met started to believe in me as well. Their validation changed a lot of things within me.
JaJuan: How’d you get into producing your own music?
Ogi: I think I have to get a little more experience before I get to call myself a producer, but I think I started getting more into vocal production once I recorded little a cappella songs on GarageBand. That was just for fun, but those little songs became the demos for half of the songs on my EP, which is wild to think about. And watching how No I.D. does it has been so important to my development as an artist/producer; I think I’ll be making my own stuff soon enough.
JaJuan: To my knowledge, you’re opening up for Masego on his current “You Never Visit Me” tour. How does that feel? I know it has to feel great!
Ogi: Yeah it’s felt really good! It’s funny, as soon as I started releasing stuff, I was seeing comments saying “you and Masego would sound so good together” or “Masego would be sooo good on this song” so it’s cool to see it all come together. The tour is essentially sold out, Masego and his team have been nothing but great to us, and the crowds have been so accepting of me. So I’m having a lovely lovely time. No complaints.
JaJuan: I heard that legendary producer No I.D. discovered you after seeing your cover songs of other artists. Would you describe that experience as surreal?
Ogi: It changed my whole life. Like actually actually actually changed my life. I did a cover of a song called “Alright” by PJ Morton and PJ was nice enough to post it on his page. From there, I found out that No I.D. wanted to work. I was a senior in college at the time, getting ready to apply to law schools, so obviously, that call changed everythiiiing. So glad I decided to do this instead. Like oh my God.
JaJuan: So we know your debut EP: “Monologues” was a major smash. Have you been working on any music and if so, how do you plan on evolving from your first project?
Ogi: Always working on new music! For me, Monologues was kind of a starter platter. These are the appetizers to hold you off before I really cook.
JaJuan: Outside of music, I’ve heard that you’re an avid fan of cooking. What do you enjoy cooking?
Ogi: I’m becoming a fan more and more. It calms me down after a long day. Especially when you’re on the road for long stretches at a time, it just makes you really miss your kitchen. I’m not going too crazy yet. I’m trying to get into the stuff that my mom made when we were younger, a lot of tilapia, and a lot of shrimp. But I’m also getting some cookbooks to give me some new recipes to try out.
JaJuan: What’s your favorite way to remix breakfast with Silk Almondmilk?
Ogi: One of my favorite ways to remix breakfast with Silk Almondmilk is with pancakes! Using Silk Vanilla Almondmilk in my pancake batter makes it fluffy and gives the batter this delicious hint of vanilla flavor. I also like to switch up by throwing a handful of berries into the batter, but even without the berries, Silk Vanilla Almondmilk in your pancake batter really elevates the taste!
JaJuan: How was it working on the Silk Tiny Kitchen Concerts? Is it like your live tour performances or is it different?
Ogi: It’s similar in the way that I always look for ways to switch it up when I perform live. I try to add a little something different to each of my performances, so the Silk Tiny Kitchen Concerts gave me a chance to strip back my song “I Got It” with just guitar – I really hope listeners can connect with the lyrics and my voice. Plus, it’s good to perform in a new setting – and whip up some PANCAKES?? AND I got to perform in pajamas. I’ve never been more comfortable performing.
JaJuan: What’s the best advice you’ve received and from whom?
Ogi: I’m paraphrasing, but it’s not a sin to be nice, but it’s a sin to be foolish. My mom and I would talk about it because I have a tendency to give more than what I get back.
JaJuan: What do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
Ogi: Right now, fans can catch me on tour with Masego, supporting the “You Never Visit” tour, and look out for my Silk Almondmilk Tiny Kitchen Concert on my TikTok and the Silk YouTube channel!
JaJuan: Where do you envision Ogi five years from now?
Ogi: Oooh… I’ll be a few projects into my career, and hopefully, I’ll be happy. I don’t want to put too much expectation on the future but just know I’ll try to be happy.
