Josh Osho
Has music always been a passion of yours?
It was definitely something that grew, I was always incredibly creative in whatever I did; there was a deeply entrenched creative element in me. I have always felt the need to interact with a side of myself that challenges and creates in whatever I do. Though, music became another vessel for that when I became 13/14.
What are some of your earliest music-based memories?
My earliest music based memory is one I don’t think my parents even knew about. When I was 10 I discovered what a voice I had. Me and a girl called Danielle, Danielle Antoinette Bowman sang songs at the table but I was so scared and insecure that I sang with my head turned away and hid in between my arms. That was the last of my music foray until it reared its head again a couple of years later.
How do you get yourself in the 'mood' to write a song?
I avoid trying to do that to be honest but if and when necessary I will just pick up my guitar, close the door, light some incense and see what comes. More times than not, getting myself in the mood isn't that effective, as the worn and weathered artist cliché goes, I just have to let it flow.
What does music mean to you?
L.I.F.E. and there isn't enough paper or brain capacity for me to even begin breaking down why, it just means and symbolises L.I.F.E for me.
How was supporting acts such as Ne-Yo and Jessie J?
Like any other gig, there was a stage and people so I got up gave my all to do what I do and tried to do it well. Of course when you support artists like these there is a HELL of a lot more people, 20,000 more!
Tell us about your new material?
It's new, it's materialising and at some point you will all hear it, God willing. So far I've mostly been demoing and trying it all out. There’s a flavour of something new, in fact you can download a little lullaby/hymn called "Wise Man" by visiting the Aloft London Excel website (www.aloftlondon.com), who I'm currently working with on a series of music events.
You're also a member of the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company - tell us a bit about that.
It's a company and a collective initiated and founded by a close friend of mine who is also an incredible Artist and Scholar, Akala. We use Shakespeare and Hip-Hop or whatever contemporary forms of music but essentially Hip- Hop to explore rhythm and language. We also explore the many myths and stigmatized labels attached to both the art forms and cultures that gave birth to them respectively. It's been a great journey thus far being a part of it, traveling and working with inspiring people in a different way from what I would normally.
Are there any other projects you're involved in, or have coming up that you can share some details with us about?
At the moment I’m working with Aloft London Excel as part of Live at Aloft Hotels - Spotlight Series. Aloft is dedicated to showcasing new and emerging talent in the music industry so they came to me with the idea of taking over Aloft London Excel with a month of fantastic events curated by myself. My takeover will finish with a bang with a one-off gig on 21st November, which I’m really excited about. I’ll be playing some of my favourite tracks alongside up-and-coming artists and DJs, including DJ Taj and Battle of You. Make sure you don’t miss it – it’s free to attend!
I’ve also created a Haitian Rum cocktail for the takeover as a tribute to one of my idols, Lauryn Hill. It’s an exotic blend of Rhum Barbancourt, mango and pineapple and is exclusive to Aloft London Excel.
Josh Osho is supporting Aloft London Excel with a series of music events this month as part of Live at Aloft Hotels – Spotlight Series.
For more information, and to download a copy of Josh's new single Wise Man, visit: www.aloftlondonexcel.com/aloftlive
To get on the guest list for the final gig go to:
http://www.aloftlondonexcel.com/josh-osho-live-at-aloft