The Nigerian songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist is a rising star in Britain, and it is her ability to combine aspects of storytelling, musical collaborations and production that sets her apart.
While the rise of Nigerian music in Britain has created opportunities for performers and amplified the voices of producers, there are other developments happening on the fringes. Abayomi Olusunle, professionally known as Yomi, works across several disciplines, and it is her ability to create music as both songwriter and sound engineer that defines her niche.
Her work stretches from songwriting and production to writing and performing spoken-word poetry. What makes Yomi’s career so interesting, however, is the way her experience as a creator combines with her knowledge of the production processes related to live performances. It is a rare talent that encompasses the entire workflow of an artistic production, and Yomi’s experience is particularly valuable in the way it spans from the creation of the work itself to the conditions under which it is presented to the public.
This aspect of her work has been established through her numerous contributions as a songwriter.
Her discography includes contributions to Temple T’s Bajeola and Dance, Tayhmie Black’s Cloudy and Turn on the Light, Jai Eric’s Agatha, Q. Halima’s Melakusi, and Badtman Six’s Loke and Tewo. This is a highly impressive list, as it covers a wide range of musical projects and performers. It also speaks of Yomi’s ability to work repeatedly with different collaborators, establishing her value as a songwriter. This is an invaluable asset in the modern environment of African music, where the songwriting credits belong to a collective of creators.
What makes Yomi stand out, however, is her ability to approach music production from more than one perspective.
Her experience as a stage engineer at BNXN Live in Birmingham in September 2024 and Reminisce Live in August 2025 puts her at the center of high-profile shows headlined by Nigeria’s celebrated performers. Other notable experiences include working as a stage engineer at Afromatic Night in Birmingham and Chike Live: Detty Love as part of Iconiq Fest 2025 in Lagos. It is evident that Yomi has accumulated considerable expertise in the sphere of live performance and music production.
This experience is an important component of her professional résumé, as it showcases her ability to operate within the music industry in its various forms and facets. It also speaks of her versatility as a professional, as her knowledge of music production and engineering allows her to fully appreciate the work of other creators and present it in the best possible light.
An especially compelling example of this is the performance of Loke – a song written by Yomi and performed by Badtman Six – at the Chike Live: Detty Love show, which she also engineered. This experience encapsulates her professional philosophy best, as it illustrates the seamless combination of her production and engineering expertise with her songwriting talents.
Yomi’s literary contributions speak of a sensitive and caring individual who is deeply aware of the challenges experienced by minorities and is eager to voice her concerns and advocate for change.
She has written essays and opinion pieces for Black Ballad and the World Economic Forum, discussing themes of identity, belonging, neurodiversity and social justice. Several Nigerian publications have commented on her literary and musical achievements. This is another string to Yomi’s bow as it allows her to engage with the public in a more direct manner. She has performedspoken-word pieces at Living Canvas: Atelier 9 Rooftop Gathering and Creator’s Connect in Birmingham, complementing her work as a host. It is an important development, as it shows yet another facet of Yomi’s multi-faceted personality and artistic expression.
Her teaching load at Tonality Music International between 2022 and 2024, combined with hersubsequent work with Jaiye Collective and multidisciplinary initiatives such as Pieces of Us, speak of a genuine interest in curating the work of others in a collaborative environment that shares the same philosophical outlook.
Is Yomi’s artistry compelling enough to stand out against the competition? Based on the body of work and the range of achievements, it would seem so. Her contribution to the songs mentioned above speaks of a mature and talented songwriter who is highly in demand among her peers. This is a solid achievement, but it is the combination of Yomi’s talents that sets her apart. While her experience as a sound engineer and stage producer cannot be dismissed, it is more of a complementary factor to her main activities as a songwriter and literary figure.
In this regard, Yomi’s current achievements are highly impressive, but there is still room for growth and refinement. Exploring the potential of her literary and musical talents in more depth would be a good way to expand her artistic expression. More original songs and spoken-word performances will further differentiate her from other artists.
All in all, Yomi Olusunle’s current achievements are a testament to her versatility as a rising star in Britain’s African music scene. She is a rare talent who combines songwriting, engineering and production in a way that deepens the meaning and enhances the impact of her work. Her primary strength is the ability to operate within the realms of music production and engineering and bring a new perspective to the performances of other artists. This is a highly coveted and difficult skill to master, but Yomi uses it to great effect, combining her engineering and production talents with songwriting and literary expression.
