Obai On Inspirations, Career Goals, and Debut EP ‘svnteen’
Samantha Colleran, January 2024
Obai is set to be one of Gen Z’s biggest stars. His upcoming EP, svnteen, takes his love of 90s/early 2000s R&B and pop and classic Sudanese music and blends it into a sound that is unique to him. At just 18 years old, Obai is able to bring his listeners into a completely different world with his vivid storytelling that highlights topics such as humble beginnings and typical teenage experiences. Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in music including Bryson Tiller, and having his single “The River” featured in Season 19 of Grey’s Anatomy, svnteen is just the beginning for the Phoenix-raised star.
Apart from the musical influences of his family, some of Obai’s biggest inspirations include Frank Ocean, Drake, The Weeknd, Don Toliver, and PartyNextDoor. He considers himself a melting pot of everything he’s consumed musically, something that makes him stand out from other up and coming R&B artists. Having Sudanese roots also makes him stand out, he’s become a gateway artist for many people to discover a culture they may have never delved into. It’s something Obai is extremely proud of; being able to share his culture with people just scratches the surface of the work he hopes to accomplish through his music.
Obai’s biggest goal with his music is to act as a beacon of light. Music allows him to be his most honest version of himself; he hopes others can see how much he’s evolved since his first release in 2019 and feel inspired to follow their own dreams. He’s a hustler, constantly in the studio working on music that tells stories listeners will be able to relate to. With every release, he builds a new world with captivating storylines for listeners to get lost in. He’s gained more control of his voice and has become a better songwriter which has helped him solidify where he hopes to take his career.
Obai keeps his circle small. Family is at the center of everything he does, even at 18 he still brings his mom on label trips. His best friend he met in middle school art class, Harding Easley, is his creative director. Keaton Jones has directed many of his music videos, and Karmina Grady has played the female lead in many of those music videos. Supporting Arizona based creatives is important to Obai, he feels that the world of creatives in his home state is a hidden gem and he’s proud to help bring some of these creatives to the forefront of his work.
Bringing svnteen to life has been a beautiful and intense ride for the singer. For Obai, being 17 was a lot of things- it was his best year, but also his worst year, and also kind of meh. Losing his uncle in the Sudan war while working on his EP was a really tough moment during his year, but through that he still held his head high and pushed to make authentic music that will surely capture a widespread audience. One of the most poignant moments on the EP is a track called “Journals”, where Obai speaks from the heart about where he comes from, people who weren’t always supportive of his dreams, and of course, his mom.
Although Obai is just getting his big break, he has major dreams for his future. For 2024, he wants to build a bigger musical universe and break into more experimental sounds. Long term, Obai wants to play Madison Square Garden, win Grammys, and help his family back in Sudan. He mentions being able to fund the building of hospitals in the area is something really important to him. For now, you can expect to hear a lot of new music from Obai, as he’s constantly in the studio further perfecting his craft and trying to become better at everything he does. svnteen is officially out on all streaming platforms, so be sure to check out the nine track EP on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other streaming service you may use!