**By BigDan, HipHop Journalist**
When I first interviewed Ovasabi a few years back, he was fresh off his *Book of Ovasabi* project — hungry, experimental, and steadily building a name in Nigeria’s rap scene. Now based in New York, the rapper has returned with *Black & White*, an EP that doesn’t just showcase his growth as an artist, but his willingness to bare his soul.
The contrasts in the title — light and dark, love and hate, truth and lies — echo throughout the project. But perhaps no track captures that balance better than *“Alone”*, where Ovasabi raps about an old relationship that ended years ago in Lagos. “I rapped about my ex-girlfriend,” he admits. “That verse had been with me for a long time. But since this is *Black & White*, I got vulnerable and let it all out.”
### The Dualities of Life
For Ovasabi, the black-and-white theme isn’t about race or skin tone; it’s about the dual nature of human experience. “Black and white is good and evil. Rich and poor. Life and death. Truth and lies. Love and hate,” he explains. “You’re getting *Black and White*.”
That duality also carries into the sound. His lead single *“I NEED THAT”* paved the way with thousands of streams and a buzzing video, proving he could carry his Lagos grit into a global hip-hop space. But the full EP goes deeper, balancing raw bars with new sonic experiments.
### Building the Sound
Working with producers like Kulcha, Grndmstr, and Erizbeat, Ovasabi crafted a project that feels both polished and daring. Erizbeat’s touch is especially notable on *“Alone”*. “The way he flipped the intro is magical,” Ovasabi says. “We poured our hearts into that song.”
Meanwhile, A&R powerhouse Sleem Jim shaped the overall project. “Sleem Jim is the best. He shaped this project from beginning to end,” Ovasabi reflects. “If you listened to *Book of Ovasabi*, you’d understand his genius.”
The collaborations stretch beyond Nigeria too. “Stephanie Milostic from Australia came through. And of course Rostov and Gregrics on ‘Alone’ — the energy was insane.”
### Vulnerability Meets Experimentation
Despite the heavy themes, *Black & White* is also playful in its sonic risks. “Everything here is an experiment — golden,” Ovasabi says. “Nothing like the Ovasabi you used to know.”
At its core, though, the EP is about honesty — even when it cuts close to the bone. “I love operating from my inner self,” he tells me. “That’s why my name is Ovasabi.”
### What Comes Next
For now, Ovasabi isn’t rushing into a sequel. “Let’s enjoy this one first,” he smiles. “Please listen to *Black & White* EP.”
Still, he knows this project marks a turning point. “I know we’re about to do great things. But I leave that in God’s hands.”
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## Closing Notes
*Black & White* is more than just an EP — it’s a diary in rhymes. A story of contrast, confession, and growth. From the streets of Lagos to studios in New York, Ovasabi has built something that reflects both sides of his journey: the heartbreaks and the triumphs, the shadows and the light.
This is Ovasabi at his most vulnerable — and his most fearless.
📩 Booking & Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Phone / WhatsApp: +2349055532285
Connect With The Artist:
Twitter: @ovasabiofficial
Instagram: @ovasabiofficial_
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