One of the first things Scotty Olorin says about his music is that it should make you feel good. For the Lagos artist, joy is the foundation of everything he creates. From buoyant melodies to the dance moves that have become part of his identity, his music offers a moment of release. “I make music that just makes you want to be happy,” he says simply. “I’d describe it as joy.”
That sense of ease is reflected even in his name. Born Ayopelumi Scott, he adopted “Olorin”, the Yoruba word for singer, as a natural extension of himself when he began releasing music. “I combined ‘Scott’ from my surname and ‘Olorin,’” he explains. The name is an introduction in itself, welcoming listeners into his world.
Growing up between Lagos Mainland and the Island, his surroundings quietly shaped the language of his music. The slang, conversations, and everyday humour of those neighbourhoods continue to appear in his songs, grounding them in lived experience.
“A lot of the phrases, words, and slang I use come from my childhood,” he says. “I’ve gotten a lot from where I grew up.”
Music wasn’t initially a career plan. After graduating from university, Scotty was simply recording songs because he enjoyed it. There was no blueprint beyond making something he liked. But as listeners steadily found his music, what began as experimentation gradually evolved into something much bigger. “I was just having fun,” he recalls. “Then I started getting people who were actively paying attention.”
His latest project, “Olorin Pack,” became an opportunity to introduce listeners to that creative world. He wanted it to be a statement of identity, capturing the energy, optimism, and sense of freedom that define his sound.
“It was about introducing people to my sound,” he explains, “and welcoming them into my world.”
That world extends beyond the songs themselves. The dance accompanying many of his releases has become just as recognisable, evolving into a visual language shared between him and his audience. “I’m creating a whole movement with that dance,” he says, describing it as a natural extension of the music.
It’s a fitting philosophy for an artist emerging from one of the most adventurous periods in Nigeria’s underground scene. While mainstream success often rewards familiarity, the underground has become a space where artists are free to experiment without apology. The young star sees that openness as its defining strength. “Everybody is expressing themselves to the fullest,” he says. “Nobody is afraid to try new things.”
Even with growing attention, he remains clear about what he wants his music to do. Collaborations help artists build together, introducing audiences to new voices, but the purpose behind his own records hasn’t changed. If listeners walk away with anything, he hopes it’s a feeling rather than a message.
“I want them to feel joy,” he says. “I want them to feel happy and just dance. To forget everything else that’s going on and just feel good.”
