The most important qualities for a musician to have on and off stage is to be original  — Sheun Natural

Sheun Natural, born Oluwaseun Samuel Ojeyinka, is an Afrobeats/Afropop artiste with a special talent. He is also a singer, songwriter and performer from the city of Ibadan and has become one of those to watch with his string of hits dropping back to back. He spoke to ROTIMI IGE about his journey so far and his plans to takeover.

What inspired you to become a musician and when did you start pursuing music professionally?

I started music from the church at an early age. I was a dancer but later started music professionally in 2013. Music is a family thing as I grew up in a typical Christian and African background where everywhere I turned to or went to was musical ranging from churches to parties. I was a fantastic dancer at my tender age and I was referred to as Awilo. Some neighbours would also pay me to come dance at their parties. I used to have a dance group in my secondary school. I also used to sing in the choir, representing my local church at events. All these events and more built my passion for music especially when I graduated from Lead City university to pursue my music full time.

 

How do you approach songwriting and what techniques do you use to create your music?

There are several ways I write or create my music depending on the atmosphere and how inspired I am. Sometimes, I write the songs before I go to the studio, other times I create the music from scratch with my producer. Other times, I just let the music flow while we create magic.

 

Can you tell us about your experience working with other musicians and collaborating on projects?

It’s always an awesome experience working with other creatives, either musicians or producers. I’ve so far collaborated with a couple of talented musicians/producers/DJs and I am still hoping to work with more. Over here, it’s collaboration over competition always.

 

What do you think are the most important qualities for a musician to have, both on stage and in the studio?

The most important qualities for a musician to have both on stage and in the studio is to be original. Just be yourself because nobody can be more you than you!

 

What are your major challenges as an emerging artiste?

There are several challenges that upcoming artistes may face in the music industry. One of the biggest challenges for new artistes is building a loyal fan base. Also, marketing and promotion in a crowded marketplace, financial constraints etc. Starting a music career can be expensive and many new artistes struggle to cover the costs of recording and promoting their music.

Balancing creativity and commercial success is also an issue. Finding a balance between creating music that is true to your artistic vision and creating music that will appeal to a wider audience can be a challenge for new artistes. Although, It’s important to stay true to your creative vision while also being mindful of what your fans want to hear. The music industry can be tough for emerging artistes, but with God, everything works together for good.

 

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring musicians who are just starting out in the industry?

Apparently, there are different approaches and perspectives to different creatives but I believe the most important thing is to believe in who God has called you to be. Also be persistent and consistent, build meaningful relationships and put yourself out there.

 

How do you stay motivated and inspired to create new music, and what do you do when you experience creative blocks?

I try to experiment with new sounds and techniques; I collaborate with other creatives to get fresh perspectives and ideas. Sometimes, stepping away from your music and taking a break can help you come back with fresh ears and renewed creativity.

I also try to draw inspiration from other art forms for example, listening to all genres of music, watching movies, reading books or drawing. More over, I try not to be perfect because perfectionism most times kills creativity, so I just let it flow as it comes.

 

What role do you think technology and social media play in the music industry today, and how do you use these tools to connect with fans?

The role of technology and social media cannot be overemphasised in the music industry. Technology and social media have drastically changed the way the music industry works. Musicians can now easily record and produce music at home, distribute my music online, and connect with fans all over the world through social media platforms. Social media allows me to build a fan base and promote my music without the need for a record label or traditional marketing strategies.

I use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Tiktok, Snapchat to share updates about my music, interact with fans and promote upcoming shows and releases. I also use platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud etc to share  music and reach new audiences.

In addition to social media, technology has also opened up new opportunities for musicians to create and perform music. With digital audio workstations (DAWs) and software instruments, musicians can create music on their computers without the need for expensive recording equipment or studio time.

 

Why the name Sheun Natural?

The name Sheun Natural came as a result of my naturalistic nature and approach to a lot of things. My stage name used to be ‘HoneyBoy’ but the leader of my former dance group (Xplicit) called me ‘Natural’ one of the days we were having dance rehearsals because I was natural in all things. Meanwhile I sometimes used to lead the morning devotions and everything that was musical, adding some funky Fuji flavour. I added my real name Seun with the H (Sheun) to the Natural. Obviously the name is a good representation of my brand musically.

 

What are your goals for the future both in terms of your music career and personal growth as an artiste?

I have a lot of projects coming this year. I’m releasing my first single for the year titled ‘Mapamina’ produced by C-Mart. The song drops before the end of July. I’m also working my merchandise shop ‘GoGoMerchshop’. I have couple of collaborations to be released this year as well.

I hope my music career and personal growth as an artiste become a great source of inspiration to younger artistes all over the world and I plan to set new records with my music and also with fashion while I take my music to the global level.