It’s not everyday you get signed onto a music label owned by one of the greatest artists Africa has ever seen. For up-and-coming musicians who consistently put in work into their craft and perception, due recognition also comes with energised determination. That is how Logos Olori would surely be feeling at this moment. Alongside Morravey, he was announced yesterday as the newest signees of Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), the premium markers of its exciting rebrand which refocuses for a conscious push into the global market that is now available to Afropop. 

Being one of the most consistent hitmakers between now and the previous decade, Davido has proven to have a great ear for sound. Over the years, the pop star has been able to place his fingers on the exact movement of a culture’s pulse, and use the resources at his disposal to execute his ideas. This was the unique pull behind the success of the first set of DMW signees, of which Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Dremo and DJ ECool penetrated deeply into the market, scoring many hits between themselves before most of them moved on. 

 

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Its this celebrated Afropop tradition that Logos Olori uses as his launchpad. Born in Lagos as Olalekan Emeka Taiwo, the singer began playing the drums when he was young. Iconic musicians such as 2Baba, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and Fela Kuti were some of the inspirations he would imbibe as he set on a professional career, which really began while he was an undergraduate at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH). 

There, he also became close friends with Magicsticks, the acclaimed producer best known for his work on Asake’s ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’. Being around such intentional creatives, it was natural for Logos Olori to grow confidently into his sound, which is probably why he has such a stacked catalogue before his first record deal. Produced by Magicsticks in 2020, “Only You” was his debut. A quintessential Tekno-esque Afropop groove, his emotive qualities were present even if not sharpened to elite standards. 

His creative relationship with the King of Sounds and Blues continued into the Dandizzy-featured “Logos Party,” a mellow bop which sees him flex a bit of rapping skills. Playful in tone and loosely structured around Magicstick’s horn-flecked production, there was audible development. That productive pandemic year continued with “Shine”, again produced by you-know-who. Perhaps the most accomplished record in his backlog, it’s a mix of good vibes and aspirational messaging. A favoured pairing among street hop musicians, it makes perfect sense in the hands of Olori, who’s mentioned as having grown up in the Ajegunle hood of mainland Lagos. 

Since then, he’s put out music each year. From the amapiano-indebted “Palliative” to the Young Thug-sampling “Irregular” and afropop-coloured “Dissolve Me”, the musician has maintained a versatile approach to his records. In case you thought he didn’t have a softer side, “Happy” featured a virtuosic folksy groove from Magicsticks, while the artist contemplated the confusion of mixed signals in his verses. “Yellow gold, pelu ice/ Feeling nice, I’m alright tonight/ Carry go, do me so, overflow oh/ I’m all yours tonight,” he sings with tender submission, but more excitingly, it’s the assured and understated way he positions the rhyme schemes in between the lines, showing his skill as a songwriter. 

“Lale” was his only release from last year, put out in July, which is presumably the period before he went into artist development by DMW. Stuffed in the recent style of Magicsticks, the beat teases a Fuji-inflected performance from him, yet another showcase of the Logos Olori dipping into the pockets of established sounds to find his rhythm. This is a man prepared for the journey. 

ICYMI: MAGICSTICKS WANTS TO BE KING OF THE WORLD