Meet Juliana Omokheyeke | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juliana Omokheyeke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juliana, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s your definition of success?
My definition of success has changed over the years. I used to believe making six figures a year, having a big house, and a good job or popular business were the requirements for success. Now I realize success is not determined by how much money you make or how many followers you have. Those things are conditional and can be taken away at any moment. Doing what makes me happy as often as possible is how I define success. If you are doing what you love and helping others in any capacity, you are successful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am Juliana Omokheyeke (Omo-Kay-Ey-Kay), a first generation Nigerian singer and songwriter from Houston Texas. I write Pop songs about my life as a method of expression and therapy. If people can relate and identify with my music that is a plus.

With my art I focus on just being me. I’d argue that what sets me apart from other artists is the fact that I am very simple. I am an everyday person that works a day job. I do not hide that in my music. I embrace it. My authenticity is what makes me special. I do not feel the need to try to be someone else or change myself to fit in with societal expectations. I want everyone who listens to my music to feel safe. I do not want people to listen to music and think they need to change something about themselves or that they are not enough as they are.

I am most proud and excited about my debut album ‘anonymous’. It was a tough and long journey writing this album. I started the process in May of 2021. The album is finished and will be released May 24th. You can listen on your preferred music device here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/julianaomokheyeke/anonymous. This project is a compilation of all of the challenges and wins I’ve experienced in my transition to adulthood.

My main mission with ‘anonymous’ is to shed light on unknown artists and people who have important stories to tell. In today’s society there is so much pressure on people to be rich, famous, successful, and business owners by the age of 30. The expectations that social media has placed on my generation are unattainable and not real. ‘anonymous’ narrates the story of a real person struggling to combat all of the pressures from society while staying afloat.

I began my musical journey in middle school with choir and musical theater. Throughout high school, I stayed in choir and theater and began songwriting. I studied Contemporary Urban and Popular Music at Columbia College Chicago. Through out my college journey I worked with many great professionals and honed my songwriting and performance skills. That experience helped me tremendously. Once I got my Bachelors, I focused on writing music and performing live shows which leads me to where I am now.

I faced many hardships through out my entire musical journey. I started posting singing videos on social media in 2010. I came close to giving up many times. I found myself getting caught up in the numbers. “Why aren’t people supporting me?” “How come I have not made it yet?” “When will my music be heard?” For over a decade, that was my mindset. I felt stuck and like no one cared about what I had to say. This year, I started to realize my main battle was with myself. I was focusing on all the wrong things that I could not control. My feelings are valid, but I was making myself a victim of my own life. I had so many things to be grateful for and I was focusing on who did not support me instead of my talent and what I had to offer.

Now I lead with gratitude. I refuse to beg for validation or support. I am enough as I am. I have so much to be thankful for. The fact that music exists and I have the ability to create music is a miracle in itself. I want the world to know that I am proud of myself and I want everyone who listens to music to be proud of themselves too, flaws and all. We are all special even if we are ‘anonymous’ with no money, fame, or followers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the book “Women Don’t Owe You Pretty” by Florence Given. That book started my self healing journey that lead me to the writing of my debut album ‘anonymous’. The message in that book is so important. Everyone, especially young women should read that book.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Julianaomokheyeke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianaomokheyeke/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julianaomo97

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianaomo97

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/THEJOSHOW25

Image Credits
All photos taken by @musixgeekzent

‘anonymous’ track list photo edited by @shaunhayes