Artiste spotlight: Seun Idowu ‘rising’ to global stage with new album

A musicologist, motivational musician and journalist, Seun Idowu, has spoken about his 13-track album, ‘Rising’, loaded with motivational and entertaining songs that stir the soul and lift the spirit.

Idowu, more known as a journalist, is unveiling his lesser-known side with the release of the album on November 5, 2025.

The album, ‘Rising’, showcases Idowu’s belief in music as oil for the soul, noting that the quality of that oil also determines the wellbeing of the soul.

As edifying music makes the soul sane, smooth and pleasant, while debasing music dehumanises the soul, Seun pointed out that while many afrobeat tracks today mainly promote inordinate desire for money, inordinate pleasure, celebrating drug use, nudity and profanity, his own music is a departure from all these. It preaches wholesomeness, having wealth to make positive impact, having fun with moderation, promoting and celebrating human dignity.

Though he has released a number of singles, his songs in his just-recently dropped album, Rising, are a blend of different musical styles, straddling secular and religious genres to motivate, conscientise, uplift and entertain the human soul.

With the debut of ‘Rising’, Idowu said that he stakes his claim as a wholly different voice in contemporary African music.

He said, “Where much of today’s pop culture fixates on lust, excess and fleeting thrills, my work is rooted in dignity, moderation and human centering, an antidote to corrosive trends.”

As he explains, edifying music makes the soul sane, smooth and pleasant, while debasing music dehumanises the soul.

Idowu’s new album for new sound

He narrated that Rising unfolds across a dozen original tracks and instrumental versions, blending Afro rhythms with motivational lyricism and soulful melodies as he reels out some of the tracks in the album, which include: “Gbe Body (Dance)” which comes as a spirited opener that sets a celebratory tone, “Sise J’aye” conveying an affirmation of life’s purpose and the joy of effort in Idowu’s views, “Temptation” and “Addiction” a reflective track that confront inner struggles with honesty.

“Rise Again” where he sings as a stirring anthem about resilience and renewal, ‘Able People” and “Mo M’ore” a track Idowu described as a composition that marry hope with heartfelt expression.

Listening to the album also reflects instrumental versions that emphasise Idowu’s compositional skill and offer a space for listeners to sit with the music in contemplation.

The mind behind the music

Born into a household where poetry and gospel music were everyday language, Seun Idowu’s path was shaped early by artistic and spiritual influences.

His father, Adedayo Idowu, a gospel musician and poet, instilled in him a belief in music’s transformative power.

Later, young Idowu formalised his craft, earning a degree in music from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and added a Master’s in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan (UI).

Beyond music, Seun Idowu, a known journalist, brings storytelling depth to his work through his role as a journalist with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Singing With A Purpose

Journalist-musicologist Idowu describes the album ‘Rising’ as more than entertainment.

He affirmed, “It is a call to uplift the soul and elevate humanity. We are in an an era where many popular tracks are critiqued for promoting superficial values,

“I believe my work stands apart. My songs encourage wholesomeness, responsible enjoyment, the celebration of human dignity, and the pursuit of wealth for positive impact, rather than indulgence in excess,” as I said earlier.

So, this is a commitment to meaningful art that extends beyond my own performance. I position myself as a motivational musician focused on using music to conscientise, inspire and build resilience.

“I believe the quality of my music directly affects the soul’s wellbeing. Throughout ‘Rising’, I aimed to combine rhythm, depth and reflective storytelling in equal measure,” he stressed.

Supporting rising

However, the Musicologist is asking his listeners to do more than simply enjoy the rhythm of his music. He is inviting fans to support Rising both in spirit and in purchase by streaming the album across platforms and sharing its message with friends, family and communities.

He also explained that his vision extends beyond personal artistry to collective uplift, a soundtrack for those who see music as a force for good.

For fans of soul-stirring tunes that speak to both heart and mind, ‘Rising’, is more than an album; it is an invitation to rise with the music, Idowu inspires.