In a world that often demands polish over vulnerability, Olayinka Ehi reminds us that it’s okay to be a work in progress. As a singer, songwriter, and photographer, she inhabits that rare space where emotion and expression collide — a space that doesn’t shy away from heartbreak or doubt, but embraces it as part of the journey. In this conversation, Olayinka speaks openly about sensitivity, belonging, and the delicate balance between music and photography. What emerges is a portrait of an artist who finds beauty in grit, strength in softness, and belonging in moments of honesty.

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How are you doing, right now, in this moment?

Uncomfortable.

There’s too much negative going on in the world right now. It affects me ( I’m a sensitive empath so it’s overload) and I don't know how to explain it but I just always feel uncomfortable even at the end of happy moments. There’s a shadow reminder that fucked up things exist.

The Benue killings currently happening is also painful because it’s like I’m watching my birthplace disappear and I feel very useless.

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When was the last time you felt truly still? What brought that stillness?

I haven’t felt still in a very long time. Anxiety needs to free me lol but I get very close when I’m listening to music. I forget a lot of things for a moment. So yeah I guess music brings me stillness.

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 If you had to draw a tattoo right now, what would it be, where, and why?

 “Love her but let her grow” I’d get that on my thigh above my knee or on my forearm. I’ve always wanted that tattoo. It’s a reminder to myself and all those around me really. I want to love myself and I have to remember to let myself grow. 

Growth is not always sexy, it could be painful and emotional af'. It can break you but that’s because you need to evolve. People who love me should let me grow as well. I’m not perfect and I don’t ever want to feel boxed in by myself or anyone else no matter what. It will suffocate me and I will run away.

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What are you currently trying to unlearn?

Unlearn? Sensitivity to everything. It’s a blessing and a curse unfortunately. I’m trying to unlearn people pleasing because I over feel and overthink. I’m not perfect at all and attempting to be is insane especially when it’s for other people. 

Empathy overload works great for writing beautiful songs maybe but not always for the heart. 

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What’s your earliest memory of being creative? And what did it awaken in you?

My earliest memory would be when my late uncle (I love you Uncle Sam) showed me his rap book and how he wrote verses and hooks and I wrote my first song. I wish I could remember it but I remember writing verse-hook-verse and singing it. I’m sure it was horrible but it led me to how I write now so I’m grateful.

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If your artistry had a color, a season, or a texture, what would it be and why?

Green. Spring. Gritty like sandpaper.

Because green makes me happy and reminds me there’s always something good coming. Green is the color I like to be around when I create.

Spring because it’s not cold and not hot, it’s balanced… like me but I’m hotter. 

Gritty like sandpaper because I’m not smooth and neither is my life but my gritty experiences have softened me… produced soft music and soft creations. 

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Do you see yourself as more of a vessel or an architect when you create?

I see myself as both a vessel and architect honestly. Sometimes it’s just a vessel where I write a song that makes me feel depleted like I let go of something or passed it on. An architect when I curate my work for a specific feeling or message. It depends on the day… the mood… the level of vulnerability I’m on.

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Has your relationship with your voice — both literal and metaphorical — changed over time?‍

My relationship with my voice has evolved. We’re locked in. I feel very in tune with my voice. More brave and free. It’s been a journey and yes it’s changed over time. I needed each phase of my voice. Literally, my voice is stronger, maybe even deeper than before and with an elevated tone. I love how I feel when I hear my voice. I hope people feel good when they hear it too. 

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Do you feel like music and photography fight for space in you? Or do they coexist in harmony?

Music and photography definitely coexist but I do think photography gives me more peace at the moment. Music has a lot of complications for me at the moment. Photograph has less of a load on it. It makes me feel good to be behind the lens not in front of it. I love that I could do both and be inspired by visuals and sound. I also think photography elevates my creative eye and how I see myself and my music.

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Which medium feels most honest when you’re heartbroken? When you are joyful?

Music definitely.

Music and heartbreak go together in my world. It heals and It tells the painful story of heartbreak beautifully. I was heartbroken a bit ago and if I didn’t have music…. Omgggg… I would have lost my mind (more than I already was). I would cry while blasting music and it would genuinely make me feel better. I didn’t want to think too much so when I would start, I’d play something or write something and I felt a bit of release. 

Joyful? I’d lean towards photography more at this moment . It makes me joyful because it’s fun to take a break from reflecting and deflecting a bit. 

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Have you ever taken a photo that felt like a song? Or written a song that felt like an image?

EASY- My recent song was less about my reality and more about a dream I wanted at the moment. I envisioned a perfect picture of an easy life. The opposite of my life currently. I wrote about a fantasy world that I hoped for…. I honestly feel like we all hope for it. 

I love listening to it which is not usually like me after a drop but it makes me happy and I need that. 

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Are there any rituals that anchor you before you begin creating?

Rituals?! I don’t do rituals o (kidding)

Honestly no, and I feel like maybe I should. It’s important for me to be in the moment when I create. I run away from planning too much especially when it comes to music except it’s a show then I go into perfectionist mode. With photography I make sure the model feels comfortable and safe. I think that’s the most important part of the photography process. 

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How do you know when something you’ve made is finished?

I never feel like something is finished but I have mentally trained myself to let go and remember I can create something else that is beautiful and means something. I’ve learned not to get stuck on one thing. It helps with consistency and less over thing. 

Last last, I’ll delete it.

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Have you ever wanted to quit? What made you stay?

I’ve wanted to quit so many times! Sometimes I want a normal life free of anxiety and with structure. I always stay because I genuinely believe God gave me these talents for a reason. ‘Ehi’ means ‘gift’ in Idoma. It reminds me that I’m a gift and my creativity is a gift maybe to me or maybe to the world. Everytime I feel exhausted, I think of that and change directions. I can’t imagine life not creating. I also released expectations to remove the weight of “I have to blow”. It will be nice to live off my talents so I can create more but I always have to remind myself that my creativity is the reason I exist and something I can’t live without. So I guess in a way, I can never quit because I need creativity as much as it needs me.

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How do you make peace with seasons of doubt or dryness?

Delusion - I convince myself that I’m the best at being Olayinka Ehi. There’s no one else like me.

Sometimes I look back at what I’ve achieved or listen to my work and compliment myself. Sometimes God sends someone to uplift me when I’m heading down. They always come at the right time whether it’s a text or a call or someone in my dm saying how my work helped them through a challenge or just gave them happiness and it picks me up.

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What part of yourself do you think people misunderstand most?

My ‘kindness’ or friendliness lol people think I’m too friendly/naive. They either think I’m flirting with them or think I want something but honestly it’s a reflex. I believe we’re supposed to be kind to each other. People can also think I’m odd for it but like…it gives me peace.

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Does healing come through creating for you, or only after the art is done?

I think the creative process is as healing as seeing the finished product. The process is more painful maybe and the aftermath is proof that you healed from something so you can move on. Healing isn’t linear though. 

Sometimes you have to repeat the process as much as needed. 

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If this chapter of your life had a title, what would it be?

‘What are you here for?’

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What do you hope your work teaches people about softness, strength, or survival?

Your story is different for a reason. You’re unique for a reason. Don’t fuck it up trying to be anyone else. 

Keep moving forward … no other direction exists

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