African mainstream pop music is earning global recognition, driven by the rapid rise of Afrobeats, with new artists emerging to introduce fresh sonic elements that expand the genre’s boundaries.
One such artist is Kola The Ryder, who is carving out his own niche with a dynamic fusion of Afropop, Rock, Jazz, Alternative music, and Hip Hop.
Since launching his music career in 2020 during the creative surge sparked by COVID-19, Kola The Ryder has taken a bold and adventurous approach that distinguishes him from others.
His debut single, ‘Ghetto Bop,’ captured the attention of listeners, earning airplay on BBC UK Radio, where it received notable recognition.
According to the rising artist, his first attempt won him his biggest fan his mother who since then has always been at hand to cheer him on.
“I started music professionally in 2020 when I put out my first ever single ‘Ghetto Bop’ during Covid. it got recognized by BBC UK radio and ever since my mom has been my biggest fan,” he shares. While his professional journey started in 2020, Kola The Ryder’s journey to music started at a tender age where he was exposed to the works of iconic artists like the famous girl group Destiny Child and multi-platinum-selling rapper Nelly.
“Their music opened me up to a new world and I was able to tie those memories of hanging with them to the music,” he says about how spending time with his cousins listening to music at a tender age shaped his path to becoming a musician. Like several artists whose earliest interaction with music came with a heavy dose of hip-hop, Kola The Ryder had dreams of being a rapper.
“I wanted to be a rapper like most people,”he says “but then I discovered I had sick melodies so I started trapping. The first song I ever recorded was a trap song. When I fell in love with Afrobeats I still wanted to keep those rap elements,” he adds on his evolution.
Kola The Ryder’s journey has seen him constantly evolve his artistry into the Afro-fusion star he is today. He shares that his latest evolution was birthed out of finding a ray of hope in a bleak situation. And it’s this hope that drives his ambition.
“I’ve evolved greatly so far.. and in the space of months too honestly. Even though it took a tragic event to spark this evolution, I have zero regrets. You know they say when you pass through the fire you either come out charred or you come out a new man. And it is because of that evolution that I know, I still have a long way to go.”
While he walks with the air of a star draped in avant-garde fashion pieces and shiny accessories, Kola The Ryder’s journey hasn’t always been the easiest. He reveals that one of the challenges he faces aside from his difficulties with discipline is the perception people have of him.
“They see this young guy who never had to hustle once in his life. They don’t know about me coming up in Abule-egba. They don’t know about all the times I had to squat with friends, moving from studio to studio, just because I didn’t want to lose my drive or passion. I could have chosen comfort and stayed in my parent’s place working a 9 to 5 as a lawyer in my mum’s firm,” he explains how he has been a victim of the rich spoilt kid perception many have about Alte artists. Kola The Ryder says he has navigated these challenges by accepting them as a part of his fate while creatively channeling the anger and frustration with the belief that he would someday get the massive attention to wow the world with his art.
“The challenge of having these ideas that you know will wow the world but not having the attention on you yet, but I know it’s all about timing so challenge accepted.”
A youngster who is exploring a bold fusion of Afropop and Rock music, Ryder likes to describe his music as a raw and intentional experience. “My music is an experience. That’s how I would describe it. nostalgic. Afro-psychedelic. Everything is raw and intentional.”
On what shapes his sound, Kola The Ryder draws inspiration from diverse artistic sources including classic movies, Anime, and the works of notable musicians like Burna Boy and Damian Marley.
“I find my inspiration through life, the people around me, old movies like ‘Citizen Kane’, things GOD shows me. Anime. I’ve been having interesting experiences since I was really young and even when I wasn’t I always had really interesting people as friends. The artists that inspire me are Damian Marley, Burna Boy, A$AP Rocky, Wizkid, Asake, Donald Glover, Tems, and Simone Telease.”
On the artists he would like to work with, the genre-fusing star wishes to work with every artist who inspires him. “The artists I would love to work with are everyone that inspires me, Olamide, Fireboy, Rema, Davido, Wande Coal, Santandave, 6lack, Omah lay, Blaqbones, Bnxn, Ayra, YP, Babydaiz, and OdumoduBlvck. It’s a long list.”
On what he hopes to achieve as a musician, Kola The Ryder says he hopes to push the boundaries of his creativity.
“My ambition as a musician is to open the doors that haven’t been opened yet. Not everything that can be done has been done, and when you think the way I think, you’re able to see the many dope things that can still be done artistically.” He also wants to pursue his passion in Intellectual Property Law and contribute his quota in ensuring the Afrobeats ecosystem fully reaps the profits of its commercialisation.
Since pursuing his passion in 2020, Kola The Ryder has adapted to the changing times while boldly confronting the challenges faced by an emerging artist blending genres that blur the boundaries of African contemporary music. He is preparing to release a new single titled ‘Mia,’ which will give listeners a deeper glimpse into the creativity fueling his vision.
