Olistar, the moniker of Olisa Franklin Emodi, is a Nigerian musician and performer from Onitsha, Anambra State – and he’s offering a Drill sound like no other. Growing up watching his mother’s band perform combined with being raised on a healthy diet of Biggie Smalls, Bob Marley and Fela, his obsession with music was ignited.
After dipping his toes into a few different elements of the Urban music umbrella, he found himself starting a Drill career. His first ever release titled ‘Umunwa,’ was released the same year, setting him off on his Drill music journey. He quickly followed it up with EP ‘What’s the Difference’ which built a fast growing drill community in Nigeria.
His latest track ‘The Story’ showcases his unique sound. Moody drums drive the track forward, creating a ball of energy that is infectious and reverberated throughout the track with other musical elements. Synths are poignant and thicken the track, creating a huge feel and turning the track into a single that sounds like a drill-anthem. On top lies his unique rap – raw, filled with emotion and expressed in such a way it’ll keep an audience enticed. At first listen the track sounds like a playful banger, however there is a more emotional side to it.
Speaking further about this he says: “So many youths lost their lives during the Bakassi days in Onitsha and i know that so many youths all over the world are looking for a sign and direction of some sort and I hope to be that voice of reasoning that keeps them motivated and uplifted to chase their dreams and ambitions in life.”
Using his son as an inspiration, Olistar thought about the world through a younger person’s eyes. “You can be from wherever and if you’re not happy with your environment keep your head up and don’t give up on your dreams, they are very much valid and attainable.”
In 2022, he visited the UK to get first hand knowledge of the culture of Drill music. Upon his return, he released the EP “The Return of Olistar” which gave him a boosted audience which is steadily growing. With his new single ‘The Story,’ we can see this being taken even further and gaining even more of a fanbase.
Connect W/ Olistar
https://instagram.com/olistar001/
https://facebook.com/Olistar-109807918491167
https://twitter.com/olistar001/