While Afrobeats is enjoying worldwide acclaim, it is easy to forget that other genres are flourishing in West Africa. Olisa Franklin Emodi, known as Olistar, is a Nigerian musician and performer from Onitsha, Anambra State, who is grooving to another drum.
The Lagos-based artist grew up watching his mother's band perform, with his mother the lead vocalist igniting his passion for music in him. He has also credited 2Pac, Biggie, Bob Marley, Osita Osadebe, Oliver De Coque and Fela, amongst others, as key musical influences during his childhood.
After experimenting with different sounds, he finally decided to adopt drill in 2021. The same year, his first ever release, "Umunwa," set him off on his Drill music journey. He quickly followed it up with an EP (What's the Difference), building a fast-growing drill community in Nigeria.
In 2022, he visited the UK to get first-hand knowledge and learn the culture of drill music in the UK; Upon his return, he released another EP Titled "The return of Olistar", which gave him more audience and steadily grew his fan base. His latest single is entitled the "Story", the song talks about using music to get out of the ghetto in Lagos.
Olistar is inspired by artists such as Stormy, Burna Boy, Olamide, Headie One, Wiz-kid, Central Cee, Davido, Fivio Foreign and Drake.
He is currently focusing on dropping more hits and performing for fans worldwide. He constantly draws his inspiration from his life experiences.