705: The Independent Visionary Redefining the New Sound of African Music
Originally hailing from Lagos State, Nigeria, and now based in the UK, 705 (born Oluwatosin Alabi) represents the modern archetype of a self-sufficient artist. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he seamlessly fuses Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, and rap with rich Yoruba and English lyrics. By taking complete creative control over his catalog, 705 has cultivated a distinct sonic identity anchored in raw substance, storytelling, and an unmistakable delivery.
His hands-on ethos reached a milestone with the release of his ambitious 17-track album, Oluwatosin. Serving as his most personal body of work to date, the project features standout records like "Surely," "Seasons," and "Five Alive," marking a decisive step forward in his musical trajectory. As he pushes deeper into international markets and the UK live circuit, 705 sat down with 4TheCulture Magazine to discuss his evolution, creative process, and global ambitions.
4TheCulture Magazine Spotlight Interview
The Origin
"I don’t think it was one exact moment. It developed through years of making music, experimenting, and learning what actually feels like me. The biggest change was when I stopped trying to fit into what I thought an Afrobeats artist should sound like. I realized I could rap, sing, use Yoruba and English, produce my own records, and still make it all feel like 705. That freedom is when the sound really started clicking."
The Craft
"Probably how self-contained the process is. I produce a lot of my own music, and sometimes a whole song can start from something as simple as a melody or sample that catches my ear. I don’t always go into the studio knowing what I’m going to make. I build around a feeling first, and the story normally reveals itself from there."
The Vision
"Bet on yourself. My journey hasn’t been a straight line, and I’ve had plenty of reasons to stop, but I’m still here building. I want people to see that you don’t need everything figured out before you start. Keep learning, keep improving, and keep moving. Eventually, the work starts speaking for itself."
The Soundtrack
"'Surely.' It represents where my head is right now—belief, hunger, and knowing where I’m going even when I’m not there yet. 'Surely surely surely, we go follow them chop life my brother' basically sums it up. It’s optimistic, but there’s still that grind behind it."
What’s Next
"Right now I’m focused on taking Oluwatosin beyond just being an album and building a real world around it. More live performances, bigger visuals, and getting 705 in front of audiences that haven’t discovered me yet. I also want to push further into the UK live and festival space. The next stage is about taking what I’ve built independently and making it bigger."
The Mantra
"Substance first, distinctive delivery second. Trends change and sounds change, but if there’s something real underneath the music, people have a reason to come back." — 705
