FEMI
Oluwafemi Ogundipe also known by his mononym Femi, is a Nigerian-American singer-songwriter born in New Haven, Connecticut. He made his major music debut in 2020 with “College Dropout,” a melodic rap ballad reflecting on his college experience. In 2021, he released “Call Me” and “Thuggin,” which introduced his distinctive sound and calming melodic voice that separates him from the rest of the pack.
Growing up, the soundtrack of the Ogundipe household featured a globally-diverse collection of sounds and genres, from Nigerian Highlife to Disco to Hip Hop and R&B from the early 80s through the late 90s. As a first-generation American, Femi saw being at the intersection of two cultures as a unique opportunity to create something amazing/new. Highlife musicians such as King Sunny Ade, rappers like DMX, and R&B artists like Frank Ocean, have been a great inspiration to Femi in building his sound.
Music seemed to come naturally to Femi. In his early teens, Femi began exploring his love for music and taking inspiration from the sounds around him. “I never took music seriously because I never thought it was realistic,” remarked Femi. Influenced by his Nigerian family, he enrolled in university, where he quickly realized that the academic route just was not for him. At the age of 19, Femi began his pursuit of a career as a singer-songwriter. His melodic R&B and Afrobeats coalition brings listeners into his life experiences and encourages them to digest and enjoy. Through his music, Femi hopes to create an inclusive world sound where different cultures and creativity collide.