Upcoming British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Onyi Moss is looking to capture the hearts of music lovers around the world with her debut pop-folk single “In Your Eyes”!
Outside of music, Onyi has accumulated tremendous success through her visual creativity & photography, which led to her gaining over 160,000 followers on Instagram & receiving awards such as ‘Cosmopolitan 2019 Fashion Blogger of the Year’.
Onyi has kindly taken the time to speak with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution about her debut single, along with getting to know from the artist behind the music.
Hey Onyi, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Can you start by telling the readers a little bit about yourself?
Onyi: Thank you for having me. I’m a singer/songwriter based in Manchester. I’m originally from Nigeria. I moved to the UK on my 22nd birthday 13 years ago and fell in love with it almost instantly. Here I qualified as a chartered accountant and worked as one for a financial institution before going on to pursue my creative passion which is photography and storytelling. In doing the latter, I recognised the importance of music which was what inspired me to work on my own music as I’ve always loved singing and writing.
When did you first discover your passion for music?
Onyi: I discovered my passion for music at a very young age. For as long as I remember I’ve always engaged with music. I joined the children’s choir in church and adult choir as I grew up. When I was in boarding school I formed a music group with a couple of guys and we were part of the social club that entertained other students. I wrote a lot of songs back then and still have them with me.
How would you describe your musical style?
Onyi: I’d describe my music as folk music which might sometimes have a subtle hint of pop undertone.
You have just released your debut single “In Your Eyes”, which sounds amazing by the way. How did the idea to create this single come together?
Onyi: Thank you. I had written some parts of the song in March of 2016. I still have the rough draft of what it sounded like then on my voice notes, which is how I tend to document my songs when they come to me so I don’t forget them. It’s a song about the hope sometimes found in loss. I am a very optimistic person so I try to highlight some of the beauty that already exists in this world. It wasn’t until a close friend of mine experienced a tragic loss that I found the rest of the words to finish off the song.
How did your family & friends react to your debut single?
Onyi: My family and friends were pleasantly surprised that I had finally decided to put my music out to the world. They have told me they’ve had the song on repeat and they’ve found it very soothing which is more than I could hope for. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders sharing and reposting the song on their social media platforms which is very kind and generous of them.
What does this song personally mean to you?
Onyi: I had a close friend go missing when I was in university and till this day she’s never been found. She was a happy girl full of life and hope. In your eyes was a way for me to remember her in a way that is true to her. Sometimes I dream of her and whenever I do, she seems to have a look of contentment in her eyes. Almost as if she’s at peace now.
If listeners could take anything away from this song, what would you like it to be?
Onyi: It would be that it’s ok to hold on to the ones we’ve lost with hope.
Do you have any further musical releases planned that you are currently able to tell us about?
Onyi: Yes I do. I’m currently working on my EP which will feature a number of tracks that relate to my personal life experiences. The current one I’m working on is about the guilt I grew up with that came with the way my community used religion as some form of control.
Outside of music, you are also a very talented online creator & photographer. How did you first find yourself venturing into these creative avenues?
Onyi: Thank you. I stumbled across photography when I was unemployed and trying to find a role as a financial accountant. I spent most of my time binge watching reality TV shows and one day I came across one called “Fashion Bloggers” which showcased women who took stunning images and told beautiful stories. Rather than pay my rent that month, I used it to order a camera and went on to teach myself everything I know by watching YouTube tutorials and practicing. The rest is history.
PS – I eventually caught up with my rent, lol.
What are some of the things that inspire you throughout your work?
Onyi: Books, goods films and music, nature (especially flowers), travel and a nice cup of tea.
What advice would you offer to someone looking to pursue a career as a visual creator or musician?
Onyi: My advice would be just do it. I’ve learnt more by just getting on with things using the resources I already have. And in doing so, things start to fall into place. There’s no time like the present moment as the saying goes so just act now.
Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Onyi: First of all I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little more. And secondly, if you’re looking for a peaceful and wholesome corner of the internet then feel free to follow my work on my blog and social media.
You can check out “In Your Eyes” on Spotify below or on YouTube by clicking here.
Onyi Moss: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.
Fierce & Fabulous Revolution 