Falana Fawaz Ademola, artistically referred to as Lasko Blark, is a graduate of the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University and an emerging Rap/Afro-fusion artist.
In May 2024, Lasko Blark won the award for the “Best Rap Artist” on the OAU Campus and the “Collaboration of the Year” for his song “On Steeze, on Soft” with Zameel (a fellow campus artist). The hit song has garnered over thirty thousand streams across all streaming platforms since its release and perpetually is an anthem at most campus shows and events.
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Obafemi Awolowo University Campus has always been respected for its ability to nurture creatives. Phenomenal stars like Asake, Blaqbonez, Fireboy DML, Chinko Ekun and Fave are particularly recognized and acknowledged for their impact on the music industry, both in Nigeria and across the globe. With the aim of not only following in their footsteps but also setting his own pace, Lasko Blark has put a lot of dedication and commitment into his art on campus and has made a thorough effort to show it to the world.
Lasko Blark perceives the Obafemi Awolowo University campus as a rewarding and fruitful place, but only to those ready to put in the effort and determined to impact it. Lasko, who graduated recently, was a vivacious member of the OAU Music community for seven years. He has released multiple singles, and one electronic playlist and collaborated with other OAU student artists. Some of his best tracks and features include “Duro,” “On Steeze,” and “Shege wey I see,” among others.
Lasko Blark shares how the campus community has helped him grow as an artist over the years, and how he has reciprocated the honour:
Can you shed light on how you started your artistic journey and what inspired you to pursue art?
I started my artistic journey by freestyling while doing chores at home. From as early as primary school, I sang to keep myself energized during the many tasks my mom assigned. Rap music captured my interest, so I began creating my songs and experimenting with how I would sound on others’ tracks.
In secondary school, I often freestyled with friends during class breaks. One person would drum on a desk while I rapped, and the energy would electrify the room. I even skipped classes to freestyle in other classrooms, which led to my dad receiving complaints. During this time, we recorded several freestyles on phones, dreaming of turning them into songs someday.
When I got to OAU, my passion grew. I connected with a group of talented guys like Tega Dyke, Samzy Quan, and Zaman, who were deeply into trap music, a genre not widely accepted in Nigeria or OAU at the time. Their work inspired me. As a dancer, I initially supported them on stage, but one day, I asked Tega for a chance to prove myself as a rapper. He obliged, and I freestyled for an hour in Habib’s car while they recorded a video that later went viral, even catching the attention of Nasty C.
Gaining recognition on campus, I began networking with other artists and leveraging my backstage access at shows to meet rising stars like Asake, Blaqbonez, Virus Zamora and Jaido P. Watching their performances fueled my desire to reach their level, which became my first major goal. Today, I’ve achieved that milestone and remain motivated to push boundaries, aiming to break new ground and achieve even greater success in the future.
How has the campus community supported your growth as an artist?
The journey has been amazing, though it started tough, as it should. A challenging beginning shapes resilience and prepares you for longevity. Initially, I struggled to gain acceptance because OAU had an older crowd, and Nigeria hadn’t embraced futuristic sounds at the time. I had to overcome the challenge of being unreliable.
Over time, fresher minds arrived, and people were open to cool and alté music. We released great songs, and as our peers began running shows and hosting events, we gained more opportunities. Staying real, natural, and humble, and producing good content helped me connect with people, which opened doors for performances and exposure. Influential individuals started supporting my work and sharing it authentically, without any push or pretence.
This support helped me grow into a marketable artist and connected me with people who organically promoted my music. The experience shaped my sound, my personality, and my career. It also instilled in me the value of giving back to the community because the more you invest in it, the more it invests in you. This cycle of growth and support has been transformative and fulfilling.
Are there specific events, groups, or individuals on campus that have significantly contributed to your development?
Several people significantly contributed to my development. The first was the Zady Gang crew—Tega, Quan, Zaman, Terracarti, Koker, Ọrẹ, Adam, Trippy, and Trace(Yisuen). They encouraged me early on, inspiring me to do more by excelling in their fields. Niyi was also pivotal, supporting every song I released. Sumonjerry also, my producer at the time, and Dejizus, helped me craft a unique sound and build confidence. We created over 100 songs in a year, experimenting with different fresh flows and ideas.
Teju Live played a major role in my growth. He helped establish me as a key act. Before, I was heard but not truly noticed. When Teju endorsed me, people started paying attention, and we’ve since become great friends. Others like McSmith, Mullar, Timzy, Ayosantos, Markay, Dblaq, COWEB, OAU Parrot, Josh of OAU Sweetch and Cloud9 also contributed to building my audience and fanbase.
Collaborations with producers and artists like Zameel, Fash, Gdave, Simeon and Stereo were impactful, showcasing my versatility and solidifying my presence.
What opportunities has the campus provided to showcase your talent?
Opportunities like OAU campus shows individual-organized events, and club appearances have been instrumental in my growth. God bless Teju for taking me to clubs, even though I usually avoid them. He’d pick me up, drop me off, and ensure I connected with people who had heard of me but didn’t know me personally. These connections helped people put a face to my name and opened doors through influential individuals I met there.
Have campus challenges or feedback from the community influenced your style or approach to art?
Campus challenges and community feedback have greatly influenced my style and approach to music. Without their input, songs like “Duro” and “Back Then” might not exist. Testing sounds and gauging reactions, like with my “Corleone” cover showed me the demand for quality rap and relatable content. The feedback helped me refine my craft, proving that audiences still appreciate rap when done right.
I often use performances and releases to experiment with new styles, from calm stage presence to different musical approaches. This audience has been invaluable for testing and shaping my identity. Their reactions have guided me, proving how rewarding and inspiring this community can be.
What do you think has been your most significant contribution to the campus community through your art?
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I think my most significant contribution to the community has been my studio, not just my music. Many hit songs in the OAU community were recorded there, with me involved in the creative process, adding backup vocals or samples. It’s been impactful, but I’m packing it up mainly due to maintenance issues. If I could, I’d leave it to support the community. Hopefully, when I blow, I’ll open a recording studio on campus specifically for OAU students.
Have you collaborated with other students or groups on campus, and how has that shaped your art?
Yes, I’ve collaborated with various students and groups, which has greatly shaped my artistry. These collaborations have allowed me to explore different sides of my musical range that I wouldn’t showcase through singles while sticking to one brand or sound at a time. Kudos to Trace(Yisuen) for advising me to build an identity and grow with it, and to Kida Kudz for emphasizing the importance of growing with my fanbase. Next year, I plan to show even more versatility, especially with house music, revealing a side of me people haven’t seen yet.
What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve received from your art on campus?
My most memorable moment on campus was performing at CK’s show. With HypeMan Mullar’s energy, I rocked the stage and left with the conviction that I was here to stay. Since then, things have been crazy, and I’ve been going harder effortlessly. That performance marked a turning point, pushing me to keep raising and surpassing my bar.
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How do you plan to maintain or expand the connections you’ve built here in the future?
I don’t plan to maintain connections intentionally; I go with the flow and let natural selection happen. The right people will stay around. Instead of planning, I take action, supporting those I want to keep close by pushing them to go hard as I go hard. Their progress motivates me, and my progress inspires them, creating a cycle of growth. Those meant to stay will naturally remain.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists on campus who want to grow their craft?
My advice to aspiring artists on campus is simple: release that song you’re holding back. There’s no perfect time, just release it and move on. If you’re truly talented, you’ll create even better music. Be humble, be real, and focus on growing as a person separately from your music. Rest, eat well, stay healthy, and connect with people, build genuine relationships. At the same time, avoid being too accessible to prevent burnout. Prioritize yourself, grow, and trust the process. If it’s meant to happen, it will, but remember, you can also make it happen.