Nigerian artist Solana is steadily carving out a lane of her own through music, storytelling, and striking visuals that feel both personal and intentional. As she continues to build her audience and evolve creatively, her work reflects a commitment to authenticity and self-expression.

For this edition of Glazing HotWith…, we caught up with Solana to discuss her creative journey, the stories behind her music, navigating growth as an independent artist, and what the future holds.

Meet the Mastermind Behind the New YoruPop Sound 

Glazia: Looking back on your journey so far, what first convinced you that music was something you wanted to pursue seriously and what is that defining moment that made you a moment that made you truly believe in your potential?

Solana: I’ve always known music was what I wanted to do. It never really felt like a choice; it’s just naturally a part of me. The more I created, the more I realized that this was how I wanted to express myself and connect with people. Music is like an escape for me; I can go wherever I want to go with music. I’m not confined to anything. I feel very free 

As for the moment that made me truly believe in my potential, I don’t think there was just one defining moment. It was a series of experiences and the way people consistently connected with my music 

Glazia: Your music feels intentional and deeply personal. How do you decide which stories are worth turning into songs?

Solana: I don’t really overthink it. If a story or an idea moves me, then it’s worth writing about. It could be something I’ve experienced personally, something I’ve observed, or even a fictional story that sparks my imagination.

For me, the most important thing is that it feels honest. I want every song to evoke an emotion or leave people with something to think about. If I can connect with the story and tell it in a way that feels authentic to who I am, then I know it’s something worth writing about 

Glazia: As your audience continues to grow, how do you balance staying authentic with the pressure to create what people expect from you?

Solana: I don’t really feel pressured to create what people expect from me because I know that authenticity is what connects with people the most. Okunkun resonated because it was genuinely me, and that’s something I never want to lose. I’m always experimenting and exploring different sounds, but whatever I create has to feel true to who I am. I don’t make music to fit into a box or chase trends; I make music that reflects me. I believe the people who support me do so because they’re connecting with the real Solana, and that’s exactly who I’ll continue to be as my audience grows.

Glazia: When you picture your career five years from now, what kind of success matters most to you beyond streams and numbers?

Solana: Five years from now, the success that will matter most to me is impact. Beyond the streams and the numbers, I want to see African culture at the forefront on a global scale. I want to contribute to a world where being African and indigenous is celebrated, embraced, and seen as something truly cool.

I want my music to inspire people to take pride in who they are and where they come from. If my art can help shift that narrative, open doors for more African stories, and make people connect more deeply with our culture, then I’ll feel like I’ve achieved something much bigger than commercial success.

Glazia: What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself making music and creating your YoruPop sound?

Solana: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to be a little stubborn when you truly believe in something. I’m always experimenting with my sound and allowing myself the freedom to create without limits. If I had listened to what some people thought I should sound like, I probably would have ended up caged in a box with my sound. 

YoruPop sound has taught me to trust my instincts and stay true to my vision. It’s important to be open to growth, but it’s equally important not to let other people’s expectations define your creativity. 

Glazia: Your visuals play a strong role in how you present your work. How important is visual storytelling to your creative process, and is this something that sets you apart from other artists?

Solana: Honestly, I don’t really separate the visuals from the music because it’s all just me. I’m simply expressing myself, and everything naturally aligns because it’s coming from the same place. I don’t create a song and then try to force a visual identity around it. Everything just flows together because that’s just who Solana is.

The way I dress, the visuals I create, the stories I tell, and the music I make are all different expressions of the same person. I’m just being myself, and I think that’s why everything feels put together. I never set out trying to be different from anyone else. I just stay true to who I am, and if that makes my work stand out, then I think that’s a beautiful thing.

Glazia: Tell us a little bit about the idea behind your song Okunkun, your decision to name your sound YoruPop, and some juicy things you have in store for your fans?

Solana: Okunkun is really about embracing my roots and expressing myself in the most natural way possible. I wanted to create something that felt true to where I come from while telling a story that people, regardless of their culture, age, location, etc could connect with.

Interestingly, I didn’t actually come up with the name YoruPop myself—people did. I was simply making the music that felt natural to me and trying to create something that connects people to my culture and where I come from. The name just grew organically from that, and I’m pumped it’s become something people associate with my sound.

As for what’s next, I have an EP coming very soon, and I’m honestly so excited for everyone to hear it. It’s going to show even more sides of who Solana is as an artist. If you loved Okunkun, just know there’s so much more on the way, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

Rapid Fire Questions

G: Sunrise creativity or midnight inspiration?

S: Midnight inspiration 

G: One artist you’d love to collaborate with?

S: ASAKEEEE

G: A song you wish you had written?

S: Alone by Burna Boy

G: Studio session or live performance?

S: Studio session 

G: What’s one thing you can’t create without?

S: My notes 

G: One album everyone should listen to at least once?

S: Born in the Wild – Tems 

G: People who listen to Okunkun should….?

S: Embrace who they are unapologetically and stay true to themselves 

G: Three words that best describe Solana?

S: Expressive Timeless Creative