Okito
I first came across Okito I believe in 2020 I thought he had some really dope music that he just released and I gave him some post on my page W2C3NT. His style is inspired by dope sounds from Nat King Cole, The Beatles, Bob Marley just to name a few. Although his sound and style is very different in certain songs I get a music soulchild vibe. With his passion for Hip-hop Okito has definitely created his own lane and sound that’s unique and distinct. The song that I posted back in 2020 when I came across his music was his record called “Oh Mandy” which went along with a dope music video. When u listen to his music and then u see the face that goes along with it, it all makes sense because dude has a different sense of fashion that corresponds with the music l, it just fits. The “Oh Mandy” record is off of his project called “ Dystopian Heart” which he later followed it up with “Dystopian Heart Vol 2” which was released this year. One of my favorite songs from Okito is called “The Kiss” all of his music takes me on a journey back in time, and that’s fine by me because music like this, feel good music with some substance to it you can also relate to and feel.
Okito thank you for joining me in The Creators Room its a pleasure to have you here. Where are u from? Tell us a little bit about yourself, and how u got started making music?
▪︎ Greetings! So I was born in Toronto, Canada. Spent the first 15 years of my life there. If you’ve never been, you should visit. Beautiful city. Think of it like a cleaner, slightly less populated New York. Only thing I don’t miss about the place is the cold winters.
Even though I was born there, my parents are from Guyana is South America. A lot of the black population in Toronto are from somewhere in the West Indies.
My Introduction to music was band class in 4 th grade. Picked up the Trumpet. My pops, wanting to fuel this new endeavor, bought me a used Trumpet. I rarely play these days, but it taught me so much about music. So then around middle school I started a few rap groups with friends. But no matter what group I was in, we always needed beats. So in highschool I started producing. Which became my real love in making music.
How would u describe you're style? What influenced it?
▪︎ Quiet honestly, I’ve been having difficulty describing my style. I call it Breaks And Blues. Hiphop breaks meets the Blues. But there are so many different forms of music I like and have been influenced by. So it’s like the blending of Hiphop, reggae, soul, funk, R&B, Jazz and Rock. When you listen, you’ll probably hear a tinge of everything there.
I never really wanted to sing. And I honestly still don’t consider myself a “singer”. It’s like melodic Hiphop to me. And it really all started by my love for Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik. He would rap in a slightly melodic way. And I took from that as a youth, and it just progressed and progressed. To the point where I even use harmonies.
How would u say u stack up against ur fellow peers in the music scene?
▪︎ Because my style is so unique, I don’t really compare myself to anyone in the scene. At least locally. There are a few national acts I see myself slightly fitting in with. Like a Raphael Saadiq or Anderson Paak. Granted, I still don’t feel I’m as talented as them. But I feel like my music can run in playlists with them.
What's new for Okito? New music? Collabs?
▪︎ Right now I have 2 projects I’m working on for myself. Dystopian Heart Vol 3, which I’m almost done with. I’m not waiting 3 years again to drop a sequel. I’m working on an Instrumental project. Think Fela Kuti meets the Budos Band. And then also, I’m working on Mozaic’s new album. We’ve been long time collaborators, and by far my favorite artist I’ve worked with in my life. I’ve learned so much from working with her.
We all go through things that test us along our journey, tell us about something u have encountered along ur musical journey and how u dealt with it and overcame it?
▪︎ My biggest test has always been life events. Especially relationships. But that has never stopped me. In fact, I use it as fuel for the fire. That’s really way the Dystopian Heart series began. Music is like therapy to me. Challenges in life make my music better. I get a chance to express how I’m feeling via music.
What's you're music process like? How do u approach creating a hit record?
▪︎ When I first started making music, I would sit down and make a lot of beats. Hundreds a year. And when I was ready to make a song, I would go through them and pick one. Now, my approach is much different. Whenever I sit down, I’m sitting down to make a song. So I start formulating ideas and structuring the main parts of the verse and chorus. And then I’ll start writing the lyrics, and recording scratch vocals along the way. See how I feel about it, then start refining. I usually don’t give up on the song until I like it.
What's the message u want to send to ur fans through ur music?
▪︎ Vulnerability. And that it’s ok to be vulnerable. I think a lot of people struggle with that. It’s hard to be vulnerable. But I think we are actually at our strongest when we are able to be. It’s ok to express how you actually feel. Because believe it or not, whatever you’re going through is not unique. Other people are experiencing these things also.
Loving the soulful vibes u give in you're art. Who that is also independent and is also a R&B / Soulful type artist would u want to collaborate with ?
▪︎ Like I mentioned earlier, Raphael Saadiq and Anderson Paak are 2 dream collabs. On the producer side, Salaam Remi. I like to joke and say I want to be like him when I grow up lol. On the production and artist tip, Georgia Anne Muldrow. I don’t understand why she hasn’t found greater success, but that’s the music industry.
How do u feel about signing deals vs staying independent?
▪︎ I like independence. You have complete control of your art. But Having a team, and support system is extremely valuable. It’s not fun writing, producing, engineering, mixing and marketing your own music. I would definitely sign with an indie label. I would have to get thrown a ton of money to sign with a major, since there’s a high chance you’ll get buried on their roster.
What other interest do u have outside of music?
▪︎ My interests outside of music are honestly kinda basic. Family, friends and gaming. Music consumes so much of my creative juices, that I don’t have many hobbies outside of that.
