Nigerian singer songwriter Olisae (“Oh-lisa”) has taken another big step towards standing out as an independent artist among the latest crop of Afrobeats talent coming out of Lagos.
Olisae has watched his contemporaries fall into what he deems to be a “homogenous look and feel” in the way they present themselves as artists acting as billboards for other brands. “I’m an independent. That allows me to choose my own path. I don’t want to wear the same tired luxury labels like every other hip-hop or r&b artist out there. Why can’t I be my own brand, promote myself, and define luxury in my own way,” asks Olisae. “Dee comes from a place that sees no boundaries in expression. She understands my vision and together we are creating something that is me from start to finish.”
While Speed, a prolific multi-disciplined designer, is better known for her executive leadership at YouTube and other high profile tech media companies, the Creative Director has a robust set of design credentials that span industrial, graphic, and interior design. She founded her design studio deedee9:14 in 2000 offering clients everything from brand development to her own line of interior products. This collaboration allows Speed to exhibit another facet of her design acumen by crafting the singer’s personal line of luxury fashion items.
Olisae quietly asked Speed back in May of 2000 to redevelop his brand logo as he began releasing new music globally. “I knew then that we were going to treat Olisae and his image like something top tier regardless of what point he was at in his career. I wanted his brand to be elegant and extensible with a simplicity that would flex with his style as he grew with it.” Speed is crafting several items including a men’s monogram luggage set as well as a clothing line that will serve as the exclusive bespoke fashion worn and carried by the artist when he travels or is on stage. The pieces will be one of a kind creations that will not be available to the public, intended only for use by Olisae himself.
“I see this partnership as a reflection of how independent artists are breaking the mold when it comes to having more control over their own image, their sound, and the way they want the world to see them. O’s commitment to his unique Afro-fusion style and his independent status is very intentional and I support the approach he’s taking to controlling his own future.”
The new personal men’s line will include: a monogram bomber jacket, monogram track suit, leather travel duffel, men’s slim wallet, satin scarf, leather sport slides, crossbody bag, travel wallet, and leather backpack, and suitcase.
