Ghanaian Afrobeat artist Joel Ofori Bonsu, popularly known as OliveTheBoy, recently offered fans a glimpse into his creative world during an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show.
The Goodsin hitmaker delved into his songwriting techniques, the unconventional sources of his inspiration, and how his music creates a distinct connection with his audience.
For OliveTheBoy, inspiration doesn’t have to come from grand gestures or profound moments. Instead, he finds creativity in the everyday. “It could come from very, very normal stuff,” he said. “Maybe like somebody’s song.” He acknowledged the influence of fellow Ghanaian artist Kwame Eugene in sparking his early freestyle ventures, proving that artistry often thrives on shared creativity.
Unlike many artists who start with a theme or story, OliveTheBoy’s process begins with melody. “Mostly I don’t think about the concepts first. I think about the melodies first,” he shared.
His approach allows him to focus on creating captivating tunes before weaving in lyrics inspired by personal or external stories. However, he admitted that expressing his own experiences in his songs doesn’t always come easily.
“Mostly I’m not really good at writing things from my own, like, stories—from things that happened to me,” he said, highlighting his preference for exploring universal or borrowed narratives.
What sets OliveTheBoy apart is his ability to address topics that others might shy away from. His willingness to tackle unconventional themes has created a strong bond with listeners who find solace and confidence in his music. Tracks like Asylum exemplify this approach, touching on raw emotions that are often left unspoken.
“I think what makes it easier for people to connect to me is the fact that I’m able to give them confidence to talk about the weirder stuff,” he explained.
For OliveTheBoy, music provides an outlet for emotions that are hard to express in everyday life. He believes his songs allow fans to feel and communicate emotions more authentically. “If you leave me and go away, you will not say it normally, you know, like in a normal conversation. But then when you pick up your phone and you’re like making videos to the sound, you’re more confident,” he elaborated.
By embracing an unconventional and melody-first approach, OliveTheBoy is redefining what it means to create Afrobeat music.
His ability to channel everyday inspiration and connect with fans through unique themes positions him as one of the most innovative voices in the industry today.
