Owo Channels the Afro-Diasporic Sounds of Summertime in Brooklyn on Her New EP

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Owo's new EP D+Em: drums and emotion, is a self-reflective offering of rhythm and feeling. The "drums" flow from the colorful summertime sounds of her block in Brooklyn, while the "emotion" comes from grappling with life's darker moments.

"Every summer in my Brooklyn neighborhood, there's a seasonal tradition of live drumming on the streets. As soon as it gets warm out, a group of elderly men from various countries in the African diaspora get together with congas and djembes and beat their hearts out outside of my window all day and night," Owo tells OkayAfrica.

"Their drumming became the inspiration for making this new project.Inspired by their rhythms and my personal emotional baggage, I wrote songs and started to put together tracks blending afro, electro and r&b sounds which would become the bulk of this project," the singer mentions.

While the EP features a selection of percussion-fueled,  and often, dance-worthy beats, the lyrics reflect a heavier mood—one that the singer contends with throughout the EP, but ultimately comes to understand.

"The lyrical content talks about being overcome with dark emotions and trying to figure out how to ease the pain away, just to find out that only time heals."

Stream Owo's beautifully introspective D+Em EP below.