Lola Adesioye is a well-published writer who focuses on issues that affect the black community in America.  What people don’t know is that she is also a singer/songwriter who owns her own record label.

Jamati: Hello Lola, I want to thank you for doing this interview for Jamati. Can you let the people know where you’re from and what your occupation is?

Hi there, it’s great to speak to you. Primarily I’m a writer, broadcaster and musician (singer/songwriter) and I have a media and music/entertainment company called S2S (Something2Say) Media Group.

Jamati: Were you born in Nigeria or in the UK?

I was born in London, England.

Jamati: How connected is the African community in the UK? I have some relatives who live out there and have no desire to ever return to the States. They love the UK.

There is a huge, very well connected Nigerian community in particular in the UK. You will also find pretty much every other African nationality there too, particularly in London, from Somalis to South Africans to Zimbabweans to Tunisians and so on. Each group tends to have a particular area that they are known to reside in and a strong social network which can be tapped into pretty easily. It’s possible to only interact with other Africans if you wish to do so.

Jamati: Your website lolacreative.com mentions that your grandfather is one of the forefathers of journalism in Nigeria. How did he influence your passion for writing?

My grandfather died when I was quite young, so his influence – my love for words - I believe, is in my blood.

Jamati: Growing up, would you say you were outgoing and creative?

I’ve always been extremely creative – I have been involved in music for a long, long time: playing instruments, in choirs, running choirs in bands, writing music, and so on. I’ve always had a love for creativity: writing, art – anything that involves bringing something out of nothing. Yes, I’ve always been outgoing and sociable.

Jamati: From where do you draw your inspiration?

I’m inspired by people who do great things and have a desire to – and do - change the world. Anything that stretches my imagination or challenges my beliefs about what is possible inspires me. I’m actually a bit obsessed with technology and I’m very inspired by the advances that have been made technologically in my lifetime. Life itself is the greatest inspiration

Jamati: Who are some of your mentors and influences?

I’m influenced particularly by Oprah Winfrey. I have some people in my life – some older, some more recent - who mentor me and that’s very important for my personal and professional development. I’d count my mum and my sister also as mentors.

Jamati: What are some of the obstacles that you’ve had to overcome in your professional life, and how did you deal with those obstacles?

To be honest, I’ve been extremely blessed professionally and have encountered few obstacles. Once I set my mind to something the universe tends to collude with me in getting it. However, my main challenge has been actually listening to my heart and deciding to pursue a creative career. When I left university, I started out working in the music business and was a closet singer/songwriter for 4 or 5 years while doing that because I didn’t think that people would take me seriously as a business person if I also told them I was an artist. But after a particularly grueling and not enjoyable project I realized that I very much need to be creative. I love business too, but for me it has to be creative business. There really is not a huge amount of creativity in the music industry on the business side. So ‘crossing over’ was a personal challenge.

Jamati: Is there any specific motto that you live by?

My head is full of thousands of quotes from all the books and motivational literature that I’ve read over the years (I’m a big fan of self-help and motivational books)…. I’d say the one that I keep being drawn back to is ‘everything happens for a reason’ and ‘you live and you learn’.

Jamati: In addition to writing, you are also a singer/songwriter through your own label Something 2 Say Music. How do you juggle so much?

I have always been someone who has done a lot of things at once. I have a passion for what I do. It’s not just work, it’s my life’s purpose so to me it doesn’t seem like too much. I have to have focus though, that’s the main challenge. I get offered a lot of projects, many of which I have to turn down because I simply cannot do every thing. Being focused helps with being able to pick and choose what I should and shouldn’t take on.

Jamati: Who is one musical artist that you dream to work with one day?

Stevie Wonder

Jamati: Who are your musical influences?

Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Ne-Yo, Donnie Hathaway, Marvin Gaye

Jamati: What album/song is on repeat in your mp3 player at this moment?

It’s a bit sad but I pretty much listen to old Stevie Wonder songs all the time!

Jamati: That’s not sad, that’s great! I do the same. You are taking creative control and ownership through Something 2 Say. How important is it for artists to take their careers into their own hands?

Extremely important. Times have changed and the roles of record labels have changed. For me, as a proactive person, I try to do as much myself as I can in everything. You can’t wait on other people to shape your career; you have to do it yourself. The industry these days is more concerned about its bottom line than about developing artists who will have life long careers. Working in major labels showed me that it’s good to have control of your own artistic and business destiny in the music industry. Plus with technology these days, and the right team, it’s not so hard to do what the majors do.

Jamati: You had the great opportunity in 2004 to participate in a BBC documentary series titled, ‘Black Ambition’ which documented the last year of a handful of African-Caribbean Cambridge University students. How was that experience for you?

It was good. Mostly, I enjoyed being able to show people that there are black people who go to Cambridge and that we are normal, everyday people and it’s something that is achievable.

Jamati: Where do you hope to be in your career 5-10 years from now?

Lol. I think about this all the time. My goal is to be one of the most powerful women in the media.

Jamati: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians as well as journalists/writers out there?

Be proactive. Don’t listen to people who tell you to start small – there’s room at the top. Find where you want to be and take steps to get there. Also network, network, network: life is all about relationships.

Jamati: Let our readers know what you’re currently working on and where they can view your work.

I’m currently writing regularly for The Guardian UK and America. You can read my work here: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/lola_adesioye/
Or here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/lolaadesioye

As for other projects, I will keep Jamati informed!!

Jamati: Thank you so much Lola. It has been an absolute pleasure and I wish you continued success in all your endeavors.