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By Rita Okoye
When Zlatan’s Lagos Anthem swept through clubs and airwaves in late 2020, the adlib “E deyLagos…” became a national chant. Fans danced, DJs replayed it endlessly, and the track
quickly became one of Zlatan’s most memorable hits.
Yet, away from the spotlight, one of the
sharpest pens in Afrobeats was at work: Omolola Omoniyi, the songwriter whose words and melodies shaped the track.
Today, Omolola’s name is becoming more recognised within industry circles, even if audiences don’t always see her on stage. Her songwriting fingerprints can be found on some of the most
streamed and talked-about Afrobeats releases of recent years, from Zlatan’s Lagos Anthem to Let there be light and Astalavista. Together, these songs have travelled across Nigeria, the UK,
the United States, Canada, Ghana, and beyond, amassing millions of streams and establishing Omolola as one of the most exciting creative voices in the business.
“I see myself as a storyteller first,” Omolola explains. “My job is to capture the emotion, the hustle, the joy, and put it into words that people can sing, dance to,
and carry with them. Even if my name isn’t in lights, I know the music speaks.”
Crafting Stories for a Global Sound
Afrobeats is now one of the world’s most dynamic genres, filling arenas from Lagos to London, New York to Toronto.
Behind the global rise is a growing recognition of the role of songwriters.
Omolola is one of those voices, working quietly yet powerfully to translate everyday experiences into lyrics that resonate worldwide.
Her work on Zlatan’s Omo Ologo EP in April 2023 illustrates this impact clearly. She contributed across all six tracks, including Omo Ologo and Oganigwe (featuring Odumodu Blvck and Jeriq),
songs that have gone on to gather millions of streams globally. Her words, layered with humour, grit, and cultural references, gave the project its relatable texture.
Similarly, her collaboration with Oberz on Uju shows her versatility. Unlike the street anthems of Zlatan, Ex leans more toward melody and emotion. With several streams on Spotify and
thousands more on Apple Music, it’s a growing record that demonstrates Omolola’s ability to adapt her pen to different voices and moods.
A Woman Writing Her Way Into Afrobeats History
The Afrobeats industry has long been male-dominated, but Omolola is part of a new generation of women quietly reshaping the landscape. Her strength lies not only in her lyrical skill but also
in her ability to stand her ground in studio spaces that often privilege louder voices.
“Sometimes people assume the songwriter is just an extra hand, ” she reflects. “But once the music drops and people see the numbers, they understand that writing is the foundation. That’s the part I take pride in.”
Her humility and professionalism have earned her respect from peers. Artists often speak of her collaborative spirit, her willingness to listen, refine, and bring out the best in those she works
with.
A Future Beyond Borders
With Afrobeats now topping charts in the UK and the US, Omolola’s ambitions are global. She has already shown her ability to create songs that travel far beyond Nigeria. Industry observers
see her as part of the next wave of creatives who will not only sustain Afrobeats’ momentum but also redefine it for new audiences.
For Omolola, the journey is just beginning. “I want to write music that lasts,” she says with quiet confidence.
“Ten years from now, I want people to still sing these songs and feel something.
That’s how you know the work was worth it.”
In an industry where performers often take the spotlight, Omolola Omoniyi reminds us that behind every anthem, there is a pen and hers is one to watch.
