Osunlade feat. Nadirah Shakoor - Tree of life

Osunlade is an artist who personifies art. His music as well as his being creates unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. Hailing from St. Louis Missouri, a place known for pioneering jazz, blues as well, innovative artists like Miles Davis. At age seven Osunlade discovered the piano and the vision of his life’s destiny was born. By the age twelve he found an interest in creating and producing songs of his own, he formed a local band, taught himself several other instruments and studied further the development of his unique sound.

His professional journey began in 1987, at age seventeen during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of choreographer/performer Toni “Mickey” Basil. Offering him a role in the development of musical pieces for several projects including the children’s television series Sesame Street. With her encouragement he quickly moved to Los Angeles and began what would become a long history of music production. A few years later he would produce the very first album for the then independent Interscope Records. The artist was Gerardo, a long time friend and aspiring actor/dancer. “Rico Suave” one of the very first Latin pop songs and novelty catch phrases to date was born. Now with a multi-platinum album and four gold singles to his name, it wasn’t long before he was afforded many opportunities to master his craft.

Within the next ten years and over twenty albums credited, Osunlade felt the pressures and practices of the music business overshadowed his passion of music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influences of corporate ideals and demands, he chose to quiet himself, find spiritual solace and honor his soul. This led him to Ifa, a naturalist ancestral culture based on nature, deriving from the Yoruba tribes of Africa and practiced by the slaves during the Diaspora to America.

In 1999, Osunlade would embark on what is now his dream come true. The founding of Yoruba Records. Recognized as one of the most important dance music labels worldwide, Yoruba Records is purely a source of music created to elevate the spirit.

As the success of the label grew, so did the demand for Osunlade to expand. In 2001 he released his debut album on the respected Soul Jazz Records label. “Paradigm” quickly became on of the biggest house albums that year and dubbed him the messiah of ancestral house music. With the support of dj’s worldwide and his music now introduced to a wider spectrum of listeners, this veteran musician/composer/producer becoming the artist finally achieved balance within.

Although his demand for production and remixes from labels and artists worldwide, his passion is in Yoruba Records maintaining its reputation of its unparallel quality in music. With its own family of talented producers and artists developing and bridging sound and cultures, the labels’ evolution is endless and bright.

As he embarks on what has been his personal aspiration to date, Osunlade has evolved and is currently sharing his vision of photography to the world. A novice for over 7 years, Osunlade has discovered sight to counter his melody.

“Welcome Home”
His first exhibit, embarks on the Burning Man festival. These images portray hazy dust storms and freedom abound.

Osunlade’s vision admits to sharp, lit contrasts of nature’s meeting of the real life Mad Max experience. Featuring compositions of sun, limestone, people, imagination, music, community and the expansion of oneself with nature. This exhibit invites the complete exploration of your freedom. “Welcome Home”


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