Akosua DF: Youve had a 2-year recording hiatus. Tell us what youve been up to these last couple of years.

S.O: Hi, thanks for speaking with me. Although I have not released a studio album since fall of 2019, I have been actively doing music. From releasing visuals from my last album, a live in London album to concerts etc. Also, in 2020 we had the pandemic, which slowed down a lot of things for everybody. I had family & friends pass away last year so its safe to say a lot was happening. However, in 2021 Ive been extremely busy. From launching an indie band (check out Our Future Glory on Spotify) to releasing a 'Live in London' album back in February, 8 singles and this new project coming out on Friday

Akosua DF: What inspired this project?

S.O: This project was inspired by my time in Nigeria as a child. Larry Ginni Crescent is the street I grew up on. It is where my family home stands till this day. It is a place I remember & have fond memories. So, I knew that if I was to make a predominately Afrobeats project, the best thing to do was name it after one of the places that shaped me. I was also inspired to create this project because I want my daughter to know where she comes from. Although she was born in America, I want her to know her heritage, so one of the ways to do that (for me) was to create music that reflects where she is really from.

Akosua DF:  Thats really interesting. I would never have guessed that the project name is actually a street in Naij. Your new project has 7 tracks, which of them is your favourite?

S.O: Good to Me is my favourite song from this project. It reminds of Gods goodness regardless of what is going on. As I mentioned earlier, 2020 was a crazy year. My grandmother passed away from COVID (we were very close) & a few weeks later my grandfather passed away. Those back-to-back deaths really knocked me & when you get knocked like that it is easy to doubt the goodness of God. But even as I look at that situation, I see His goodness. I see His goodness in my life every single day, so Good to Me is a great reminder of something that I need every day - Gods goodness. PLUS, that saxophone is so soothing.

Akosua DF: Im so sorry for your losses. I thank God that you continue to see His goodness in your life. You recently featured on HFP artist Rae Raes single, Better than Gold. How did that collaboration come about?

S.O: Shout out to Calledout Music. He sent me a message saying he had a record he wanted me to hop on & the rest is history.

Akosua DF: Can your U.K. fans expect any live concert dates from you this year?

S.O: I would love to but I also want to do what is best for my fans. Hopefully the pandemic eases and travel is back before the end of the year.

Akosua DF: What do you want fans to take away from this project?

S.O: No weapon formed against you will prosper. This project is for them. For those of African descent & those seeking to learn more. Enjoy this album & play it loud.

Listen to S. Os new project here:

Written by Akosua DF

Thursday 19 Aug 2021

If youre familiar with Lagos streets, Larry Ginni Crescent might just ring a bell. The popular Nigerian street was home to rapper S.O during his childhood years. Decades on, the rapper is paying homage to "one of the places that he says shaped him."