Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Oyekanmi.
Hi Henry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“I grew up in Oakland, California, raised by a Nigerian father and a mother from East Oakland. Our house was always packed. Saturday mornings My dad would have us doing chores, blasting music through his speakers for hours. We listened to everything – jazz, reggae, R&B, Nigerian music – you name it. Ironically, no one else in my family was musical. I was the lone wolf in that world.
At four, I started playing the djembe for an African dance class at the Alice Arts Center in Downtown Oakland. This sparked my interest in all kinds of drums. I learned Latin percussion and then started sitting in on drum set at church.
A few years later, my drumming got good enough to audition for the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley. I was about nine. There, I studied with Ndugu Chancler, one of Michael Jackson’s drummers. Rest in peace, he was a huge influence. He helped me lock in, and I became a young prodigy.
During those years, me and my best friends Denzel Merritt and Dylan Wiggins formed a band called Poplyfe in eighth grade. Dylans dad, Dwayne Wiggins’ from Tony! Toni! Toné!, Mentored and managed us. We jammed and rehearsed almost daily at Dylan’s house. Kehlani and Zendaya sang and danced with us, and H.E.R.(Gabby Wilson) played bass. Legendary moments I’ll never forget.
We played all over the Bay Area, at festivals, events, clubs – everywhere. One of our last gigs I remember playing in was in Atlanta, flown out by Usher’s ex-wife, Tameka Foster, for her daycare’s grand opening.
In high school, I played football and was the lead drummer in the Berkeley High Jazz Band. I earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, the top contemporary music school. To survive in Boston, I played gigs at school shows, clubs, and colleges like Harvard, MIT, and Boston University.
For graduation, I needed an internship. I chose Los Angeles and interned at Mason Sound with Harvey Mason and Damon Thomas. I was supposed to learn studio management, but quickly became interested in Music Production.
During this internship I got close with producer Mike Daley. He loaded me up with production software and plugins. I was a fly on the wall, soaking up everything being around Legends. (Harvey Mason is now the CEO of the Grammys.)
Back at Berklee for my final year, I locked myself in my room, teaching myself to sing and produce. All of my friends would try to get me out the house, but I stayed in. I went from not being able to sing to being in rooms with major artists.
After graduating, I moved back to Oakland to save up for Los Angeles. I drove and worked countless nights of Lyft and Uber and made $14k in less than a year to be able to move.
One night at a sold out Kehlani concert in Oakland Ca, she introduced me to Jeff Vaughn, mentioning my Berklee degree. I got an interview and soon was being trained under Matt McFarlane, assisting Jeff. Then I went all-in on my creative work, getting called into musical sessions.
My move to LA was solidified when my vocals ended up on Selena Gomez’s “Ring,” from her #1 Billboard album, Rare. Big Shout out to Sir Nolan Lambroza for first believing in me.
Since then, I’ve had records with Chris Brown, Burna Boy, H.E.R., YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Stray Kids, NCT Dream, TNX, and Jordan Adetunji. I’ve been traveling to Korea a lot for K-pop, getting a #1 with Stray Kids, working with NCT Dream, and writing TNX’s “Love Or Die.”
This journey has taught me what you can achieve when you lock in and push past your limits. I’m still not satisfied, but who would’ve thought I’d get this far? From wanting to be a drummer to being an Artist, #1 and multi-platinum songwriter-producer. Continuing to build my brand and team, I look forward to what’s in store. This industry is relentless; you have to keep moving or get left behind!
I started putting out my own record
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I believe there are always going to be obstacles and challenges in everything you do.
I dont like dwelling on challenges because really thats apart of life you just re-ajust.
Ive always been very good at if one door closes I hit the next one knocking. So Many times Ive felt alone in this industry but yet I keep believing in myself that continuous opportunities appear.
No matter what obstacles or hardships im facing I never let it derail me from the mission at hand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Artist, Creative who wears many hats.
Even beyond music I am a Creative Director who has worked with Nike, Puma, Rolling Loud Festival, and more.
I am most know for my Music, My ability for writing records and singing. I have a very musical Background from being able to play multiple instruments, to knowing how to structure a record.
I am Most proud of how far Ive come in such a short time. I am proud of the constant progress, Its crazy how I feel like I just keep getting better and better.
What sets me apart from the rest is my ability and brand. I can do it all from Knowing how to creative direct my shoots to styling, to Writing, producing and vocal mixing my own music. Ive done everything from the business side to touring as a musician, My experience alone is a huge advantage,
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Dwayne Wiggins:(Mentor)
Taught me how to be a great performer and discipline when it comes to rehearsals and time management.
Wrote me a 3 page letter of recommendation for college where I received a full Scholarship.
Ndugu Chancellor: (Mentor)
Ndugu Helped me lock into my craft as a drummer. Saw something in me before I ever did. He never let me slack from my full potential.
Harvey Mason Jr: (Mentor)
Showed me how to make everything you do in music, a Business.
Mike Daley: (supporter/friend)
Gave me all the softwares needed to produce and record music.
He gave me the opportunity to lock in on music production and a way to learn how to sing.
I probably would not be where I am today if he didn’t load my computer up .
GOD:
Thank you god for never giving up on me
My Family:
For always being there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kingohenry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngkinghenry/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Youngkinghenry
- Other: https://linktr.ee/youngkinghenry
