UK AFROBEATS RISING STAR GIFT OFA RETURNS WITH ‘EBUN-OLUWA’ EP
Following a lengthy legal battle with retail giants NEXT that caused him to change his stage name from LipsyBaby, Southeast London afrobeats sensation now known as GIFT OFA is back with an exciting new EP titled EBUN-OLUWA as he looks to re-introduce himself to the global music zeitgeist. The new EP from Gift OFA comes on the back of the success of two teaser singles he released last year ‘Waterproof’ and ‘Deny’ that quickly amassed over 100,000 plays online, and earned him the 2023 UK Afrobeats Artist of the Year accolade at the specialist RBE Awards.
After shedding the name LipsyBaby, which had brought him some early success when he first burst onto the scene in 2021 with his debut EP Story To Glory, his new stage name Gift OFA sees the British Nigerian musician reverting to his birth name Gift and embracing the ‘Gift of Africa’ moniker given to him by friends and family. His new EP Ebun-Oluwa, which means ‘God’s Gift’ in English, speaks directly to his renewed artistic vision and identity. The condensed 3-track offering is a deeply personal project that celebrates growth, and captures the artist that Gift OFA has become today.
Title track ‘Ebun-Oluwa’ opens the EP with Gift OFA reminiscing about his childhood, paying tribute to his hometown Edo State in Nigeria, and reflecting the determined spirit of a young boy striving to make it out. The next song ‘Majo’ stands out for its creativity and sees Gift celebrating divine feminine energy and beauty, with the EP closing out on ‘SOS’, a vibrant carefree track with playful wordplay, representing Gift’s multifaceted personality. Throughout the Ebun-Oluwa EP, Gift OFA delivers a powerful and resonant showing, testament to his versatility and ability to connect deeply with his listeners.
Speaking about the inspiration behind his Ebun-Oluwa EP, Gift OFA says, “This EP is a journey through my personal and musical growth over the past few years. ‘Ebun Oluwa’ celebrates the blessings and grace in my life, it is to me, like my prayer song, while ‘Majo’ captures the joy of movement and freedom of creativity I have always desired in my career, and ‘SOS’ portrays my carefreeness. I believe life is rather simple when stripped back to the basics, as we can be all serious and forget it’s also healthy to be playful too, which brings about balance. Each track here is a piece of me, my heart and soul, creatively expressed in words and rhythms. From my standpoint, this was my perfect opportunity to share these pieces with the world, and I hope it resonates with listeners on a deep and meaningful level”.
MORE ABOUT GIFT OFA
Gift OFA, also known by the alias ‘Of Africa’, is bringing the rich melodies of UK afrobeats from the vibrant city of London, by way of his hometown Edo State, to the global stage. Influenced by legendary Nigerian musicians like the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the iconic D’Banj, and afrobeats royalty Wizkid, Gift OFA’s music reflects a unique fusion of tradition and modernity. Despite facing significant challenges, including a trademark dispute with retail giants NEXT, Gift OFA has persevered and continued to evolve his artistry ever since his 2021 debut EP Story To Glory.
Rising from adversity like a phoenix in 2023, after having to change his stage name from LipsyBaby, Gift OFA dominated the UK afrobeats scene with ‘Waterproof’ and ‘Deny’, winning the RBE Award for UK Afrobeats Artist of the Year, and sharing the stage with industry heavyweights including Bella Shmurda and Shallipopi. Through his music, Gift OFA seeks to inspire others with his resilience and unwavering commitment to greatness, showing that no obstacle is insurmountable for those who dare to pursue their passions and embrace their God-given talents. His journey is a testament to his dedication, talent, and rich cultural heritage, making him one of the UK’s most notable emerging afrobeats artists.
