Sonorous Channels Grief into Art with Emotion Filled Single ‘Obi

Nigerian singer and songwriter Sonorous Kanye is no stranger to the grind of the music industry. From humble beginnings surrounded by old-school legends to finding healing through music, his story is one that blends talent with resilience.

In a recent interview on Cosoro Radio’s Afrobeats Radar, he opened up about his roots, experiences, and the deeply personal story behind his latest release, “Obi.”

Sonorous Kanye began his music journey at just 15 years old. Growing up in a household where legends like Fela Kuti, Barrister, and Rex Lawson were always playing, he found inspiration in the classics. These early sounds shaped his taste and gave him a foundation that would influence his own artistic style. His first song came while he was still in high school, marking the beginning of what would become a serious career.

“I started writing songs at 15,” he recalled. “My dad always played legendary tracks. That’s how I began to understand the kind of music I wanted to do.”

His latest single, “Obi”, came from a place of raw emotion. The loss of a beloved uncle shook Sonorous, and music became his outlet.

“I got the call from my mom, and I was devastated,” he shared. “I went straight to the studio and started recording. Everything I felt, I poured into that song. It was the only way I could express myself.”

The result is a deeply emotional track that fans have already begun to connect with, not just for its sound, but for its honesty.

Sonorous Kanye isn’t slowing down. After “Obi”, he’s set to drop another single and then an EP titled Kanye West, a nod to his own name, not the American rapper. He revealed the name Kanye was gotten from his surname ‘Omokanye’.

I took out the ‘Omo’ and kept the ‘Kanye,’” he explained. “So it’s not just a stage name, it’s part of who I am.”

Sonorous’s turning point came when he was signed to Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz’s SOP Records. The opportunity came unexpectedly through a DM from JJC Skillz around 2014 or 2015.

“A friend had been sharing my music with him,” he said. “One day, I was at a lounge when he messaged me on Instagram. I couldn’t believe it. I rushed home to tell my mom, and soon after, my brother and I went to Lagos. That’s how it started.”

While at SOP, Sonorous explored more than just music. He acted in films and modeled, experiences that helped him uncover different sides of his creativity. After SOP, Sonorous joined another label, under which he released an EP before ending the contract in 2022. He’s since taken a step back to study the Afrobeats landscape and understand the industry on a deeper level.

“I wanted to understand what’s going on in the market,” he said. “Streaming has changed everything. Back then, we had to hustle to blogs and radio stations. Now, with technology, you can reach the world.”

From a young boy inspired by legends to a matured artist using music as a healing tool, Sonorous Kanye is evolving. He is not just making music — he’s telling his story.