Soul Searching: Iyeoka

posted in: By Genres • Features • Urban

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo, also known as Iyeoka, is a full time poet and recording artist here on OurStage.com. This Nigerian-American singer and songwriter possesses some serious soul that simply can’t be ignored. Iyeoka was actually a pharmacist before she became full time artists, and boy are we happy for that career change!
Iyeoka’s music is happy and uplifting so it’s no wonder she’s achieving a respectable level of success thus far.  She is the founding member and lead singer of the word poetry, jazz, blues, gospel and electronic soul group The Rock by Funk Tribe. This unique genre combination earned her an opening slot for touring acts such as Femi Kuti, Zap Mama and Slick Rick. But her unique performance hasn’t been her only achievement. Iyeoka is making strides as a writer as well. She has been commissioned by Discovery Channel for one of their brand campaigns. She was also commissioned by a Top 20 ad agency to write a piece for a diversity-training tool.

Take a listen to Iyeoka’s music below. What do you think? Does she remind you of any artists you’ve heard before?