Music Feature: Ojerime [Issue VII]

Ojerime, born and raised in South-East London has created her own distinct sound within R&B. Growing up listening to the likes of Destiny’s Child, SVW, Aaliyah and Missy Elliot, channeling her inner 90’s and 2000’s definitely reflects in her music. Singing since she was little, to uploading covers to YouTube, to the progression of getting in the studio only came naturally to Ojerime. Carrying with her a good and positive demeanour really contrasts with her sound in music and lyricism which can be portrayed as having a dark projection.

Not only music drives Ojerime to her greatest but art, fashion and photography are also creative directions that Ojerime explores. Growing up painting and being creative through art has also helped in paving her career today not only as a musician but also as a Creative Director. Attending two Art Universities and taking up photography lead her into the world of Fashion. With a built-up portfolio, this enabled Ojerime to take a University course in Fashion Promotion which after graduating helped her think of her music as more of a business. With now a small standing creative team behind her, Ojerime as a Creative Director is able to pitch and bring her visions to life with the help of her team, whether this is musically or creatively. ‘Fang’ is a brand that Ojerime and her peers have created that showcase all of her creative strengths, which again correlates with all her projects musically.

In 2015 Ojerime dropped her first EP ‘Ojerime: The Silhouette’ which was shortly followed up with another EP in 2016 named ‘fang2001’ with another prominent track of hers ’56 Plate Corsa’ which was influenced by Coko from SVW. It’s hard to define her sound into something so specific, in a past interview she states her sound is ‘just a collision of my influences’. Ojerime carries with her a sonic type of aesthetic, which reflects throughout her music and choice of imagery, the album artwork for ‘fang2001’ was an image she chose from press shots she had taken. Throughout these two projects is a sustained dusky atmosphere over melancholic beats.

In 2018 she dropped her latest project ‘4U’, which consists of 7 tracks with dark and murky felt tracks. Within these are layers of her 90’s signature tone, husky harmonies and R&B melodies. The type of sound made for the night riders and ‘after-hours’ driving around the city at night. This project, in particular, embraces the idea of empowerment, femininity, passion and loss executing a perfect modernised sound that she calls a ’sonic experience’. Ojerime isn’t shy to express femininity and sexuality either, in a previous interview she stated ’There is beauty in a black woman who expresses her

vulnerability, sexuality and power at the same time. I do this for other black women first, we are not one-dimensional’.

One distinct track off of ‘4U’ named ‘I Know Now (2003)’, really fulfils an essence of nostalgia. An ambient, electronic beat with a sultry tone woven on top. Ojerime, previously mentioned that ‘I Know Now (2003)’ was written back in 2016 about a relationship that had panned out the way she wrote it. Other tracks on the project like ‘Handle’ boasting to her

lover and ‘Greasy’ bring back an element of trap and seduction effortlessly. The visuals dropped correspond to the feel of her songs entirely, self-directing the visuals for the track ‘Greasy’ Ojerime showcases a glamorous, seductive yet beautifully dark vision. As for ‘I Know Now (2003)’ this vision undertakes a different perception of the city nightscape in London.

Taking to YouTube and SoundCloud earlier this year with ‘whiskey demo’, a track of resentment and stacking money “Wait ‘til I get my money right / I’ll be on the next flight’’. Again, Ojerime has brought back an essence of nostalgia with a 90’s feel in her vocals alongside a hitting beat to make your head bounce. Ojerime’s songs are guaranteed to fill a void in any listener, the depth within her songs both lyrically and musically are bound to tune you into your feelings. Drawing from personal experiences of her own and others, through her use of lyricism Ojerime is definitely in tune with her emotions.

Words by Elle Evans

Follow @ojerime

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