Nigeria may have existential issues but what cannot be denied about her is the abundantly talented young population of creative minds. Entertainment is a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and despite what seems to be a saturated industry in terms of performing act, freshly and uniquely gifted ones are yet born.
One of such is rising Nigerian singer, Chukwuka John Okafo, known by stage name, Dr Soul. The fair-to-look-upon young musician brags as a multi-talented entertainer with a sonorous voice, nicely built body physique and a lot of charm on motion pictures.
Dr Soul hails from Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, and he is showing that he is around to disrupt the Nigerian and global music industries, as well as the entertainment scene. Though he grew up under his parents’ strict religious monitoring, being a song writer performer has always been his earnest crave and lifelong ambition. He started chasing his dream far back and finished in top 40 of American Idol Season 4.
“Growing up was a bit tough as my dad was a disciplinarian and wasn’t in full support of my musical aspirations, but I somehow navigated and snuck out a couple of times to go to the studio. I grew up in church which i am grateful for, taught me all the musical innuendos I know today”, he revealed in a recent interview.
Dr Soul’s single, ‘Hard Love’, which he released this year, featuring Niyode, is a beautiful love story irresistible by lovers and couples. According to the data he shared on Instagram, it has raked in more than 40,000 streams from 6,000 listeners in 1,500 hours across 113 countries in the world this year, as an up-and-coming artiste.
Capturing the incredible year, which he acknowledged that he did not release more than one song, Dr Soul wrote on Instagram, “Wow, I’m so grateful for this year! I actually released only one song this year and did like two features. But aside music, this year has been such a turning point for me. Those who know me in real life will tell you I’m God’s favourite.
“Next year??? Y’all about to be sick of me. New body, new music, new look, oh it’s a wrap. Thank you all for always riding and supporting me through it all. Love my solstice.”
Chukwuka John Okafo, who has promised to release his first Extended Play in March 2024, titled “DR SOUL – The Younger Me,” said he is looking forward to collaborating with a number of Nigerian and US-based musicians.
“Ah there are alot of them! Tiwa Savage, Sam smith, Giveon , The Weekend, Jhene Aiko , Bruno Mars, Lil Nas X, Beyonce, Giveon, Chris Brown, David Guetta, Rema, Davido, Wizkid, AyraStar, Johnny Drille just to mention a few,” he said when asked to name colleagues he would like to work with.
About other giant leaps he has taken in his career, he said, “I have opened for a lot of Artist for their shows, concerts ranging from Bella Shmurda to Peter-Psquare, 2-face, Chike, Spyro but i would say my favourite would be at the Peter-Psqure show and least favourite would be when i performed at BasketMouth show in Atlanta. I do have a show next year which will be my first headline show called Dr SOUL EP listening party”.
