In conversation with OYOKO
OYOKO is a multidisciplinary artist, DJ, digital creator and the founder of STUDIO 27°. We discuss her approach to community building as an artist, as well as her new EP, BLUE VOODOO.
What I loved about this conversation with OYOKO is her focus on creating the community she wished she had and putting belonging centre stage.
Read the full interview below OR grab a hot drink and watch the full interview on YouTube.
1. You’re the founder and CEO of STUDIO 27°, what inspired you to start this business?
I really took my chance in 2020 when everyone was in lockdown and I wanted to support artists. It started with webinars trying to come together online, share our struggles and see how we could support each other. Fast forward to today, it has become a business that is there to empower artists and provide them with education to build business skills and financial literacy in a way to support their own creative careers but also provide opportunities and resources.
2. We talked a little bit before the interview about how music is a tool for resistance but also for community building. Can you tell us more about your new project, BLUE VOODOO?
BLUE VOODOO is a music EP and avant-garde project. It's a way to celebrate ancestral practices and Black African identity. Simply exploring one's identity comes with exploring culture and community and the importance of your family and history.
The project is also about celebrating how classical music and ancestral sounds can coexist in harmony but also intentionally opposing styles of music that signify different parts of history. The project was funded by Southwark Council as part of a project to amplify local Black artists. What was most exciting about the community response to the project was that people recognised some of the references that I included either to Ghanaian musical traditions or classical composers.
“Simply exploring one's identity comes with exploring culture and community and the importance of your family and history.”
3. How has your experience as an artist inspired the business? What experiences have you kind of brought from your own life into STUDIO 27°?
As an independent artist, you have to do everything yourself. Most people focus on creating art, finding inspiration, really being in the process and trying to get in their flow state but when the project is done you want people to see it and to engage with it. I want people to be more literate in the business sense so they use and see themselves as brands when they are putting their work out there.
I moved from the Netherlands and when I arrived in London I didn't know anyone. I didn't know where to go, how to improve my skills, how to negotiate better. I didn't know anything and I wish something like STUDIO 27° had existed back then for me to really prepare myself as an independent artist and not find myself in situations where you are easily taken advantage of.
“I think creating opportunities for people to showcase their work or to share their stories is essential. Actually telling your story helps you feel part of the community and want to stay engaged.”
4. How do you keep members engaged?
I think creating opportunities for people to showcase their work or to share their stories is essential. Actually telling your story helps you feel part of the community and want to stay engaged. Whether this is a small platform or a bigger one, eventually it will grow big because it will reach more people but my starting point is to provide value. This can also include inviting people to share their creative process or to look behind the scenes when they are working on a new project and to create that sense of belonging as well and get people to resonate with their way of working.
5. What is your one sentence of advice that you would give to someone who was just starting out in community or network building?
Definitely try to focus on the values and what you want people to take away after they visit your workshop, event or webinar. I think creating a sense of belonging is the best way to go. It will initially attract people because people want to belong to a community and a supportive network where they can feel seen and heard.
“Creating a sense of belonging will attract people because people want to belong to a community and a supportive network where they can feel seen and heard.”
6. Is there another network or community that you take inspiration from or think we should look at?
The dance community, but specifically the pole dancing community!
7. Finally, what are you up to at the minute? And how can people find you?
I am on something very exciting which I can’t reveal just yet. Keep an eye on our socials to learn more.
You can follow STUDIO 27° on Instagram, @27de.grees, and on our STUDIO 27° website. People can find me on Instagram at OYOKO, on YouTube at OYOKO and also on TikTok.
Watch the full interview here:
