Today we’d like to introduce you to Oladipo Oyediran.
Oladipo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always created art. From childhood through drawing to playing guitar starting in 2007. Ultimately it never accumulated into a tangible product until 2017 when I recorded my first short E.P. with Alex Danforth. But even then, I was still on a path to teaching and being an educator. I had finished College at U.T.A. in 2015, then gone to teach in Dallas I.S.D at David W Carter, then to Nepal all between 2015 and 2018. I started focusing most of my energy into my art around 2018 when I came back from Teaching Math and science in Kathmandu, Nepal. Living there for about a year changed my entire life and the direction it was going towards.
The second half of my teaching career in Kathmandu gave way to creating music on a serious basis with my Partner and Love – Kayla Scales – We formed Igimeji. When I came back to DFW in July 2018, I reconnected with my other life long musical friends – Marcus Alexander. That led to the creation of the Famous Exchange.
The culmination of my efforts into making music through these two separate bands led to much more. It led to connecting and collaborating with several other artists around DFW including Danielle Grubb, Dali Starr, Kifo Doorwaze, Sallie Mood, Chef Dee, Ravs, CJ Battle, Rei Altru, Saba Godis, Garlen Smith, Tyra+Tiara, Ali Mozart, Shay Raziel, Vyse, Simone Nicole, Carlos Cabrera (Seshun) and so much more.
This also led to me working with the owners and operators of several venues, including The Haltom Theater, The Wine Therapist and Truth Vinyl. With their support and business, I have been able to use their spaces to put together shows under the name SYLA Media – [ S – Support / Y – Your / L – Local / A – Artist ]. Lastly, I have also generated and operated a podcast intended to share the works of several of my contemporary artists here in DFW through my own platform and lens. It is currently in a different building phase and it is sure to be a long lasting Journalistic venture intended to tell the story of what others and myself are a part of in this wonderful artistic community.
I believe this community is the bedrock of some amazing talent and i’m fully intent on making that clearly known to the rest of the world. The connections and blessings we make for ourselves first is the most important piece of that. I will forever support that local artist scene in whatever capacity I can. This is my promise to myself. This is my Voyage.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been far from smooth. It has been challenging and life changing, but also wondrous and surprising. The biggest struggle and change came from Nepal. Nepal turned me into an artist when I lost my Job at Lincoln School in Kathmandu. I was stranded there homeless depending on help from people who believed in my music and my art. At the same time, I faced charges from the state attorney general and wound up spending time in Jail, Prison and Immigration Custody. The struggle to survive and thrive in that environment while still going through those experiences shaped the outlook of my art and music. When I finally got deported to DFW, it only made sense to hit the ground running in a new direction, I’m off to a very strong start given what I’ve managed to accomplish in the last two years.
Since then I’ve managed shows, booked shows for myself and other artists, put out a lot of content in music and video, helped connect other artists, played dozens of shows for each of my bands, played dozens of shows as a band member for other artists and helped generate content for them as well. The biggest struggle is inefficiency. I’m not the most organized. My team and my band help with that, and we’re going for greatness in the midst of struggle. We welcome it, in fact.
Please tell us about your music.
We create. We create music, videos, podcast episodes. We play, we book shows, Play in shows, find other artists to play in shows etc. Lastly, we support the community and try to develop its strengths from the inside out.
I myself am probably most known for my heavy involvement in the artistic community I’m in. SYLA Media, The U.T.A. Football Team, The Speakeasy, RVC, APTHOYCE and Open E.Y. E are my contemporaries in this venture and we work cooperatively to bring greatness from the talent pool that exists and thrives here.
While I specialize in singing, rapping, playing drums, playing guitar and writing songs, I utilize my best efforts to help others develop their talents in an environment that supports their ambition in a healthy way. That’s what I’d ultimately like to specialize in – Supporting My Local Artists.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Marcus Alexander – I’ve made music with him in some form or fashion forever a decade. I wouldn’t have the discipline to pursue my music seriously without him. I wouldn’t have worked on it for so long without him and others working with me side by side.
My Father – Olufemi Oyediran – The most reasonable man I know. He supported me the most mentally when I went through my Trials in Kathmandu.
My Partner – Kayla Scales – For staying by my side through my trials in Kathmandu.
Chaz Buchanan (Haltom Theater), Gretchen (The wine Therapist), Rick (truth Vinyl) – Forgiving several other artists and me the chance to shine at their venues.
ALL other local artists and organizers putting their music and content out there to be loved or hated or at least appreciated. You all give me the strength and faith to continue what I started and strive for success for all of us.
Pricing:
- $100 Minimum – Per Show Performance – Negotiable
- $30/Hr for studio work – Vox, Drums, Guitar
- $35/Hr – Mathematics tutoring [From Basic up to Calculus II]
Contact Info:
- Phone: 682-313-4728
- Email: requeim181@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/Ladi_themusician
- Facebook: facebook.com/Ladithemusician
Image Credit:
Shots By Baleigh Kehoe (@baleighkathryn) – Of Famous Exchange
Shotys by Trang Vu (@dreamwaves.productions) – of @Igimeji @Main at southside
Shots by Rick Laredo (@rickjr) – Of Emocean recording @all access studios
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