Ovasabi's Duality: Confessions in Contrast on Black & White

By BigDan, The HipHop Journalist Two years ago, I sat across from Ovasabi just after the release of his Book of Ovasabi EP. Back then, he was already experimenting with the tensions in his identity - the gritty reality of the streets meeting deep introspection. Even then, there was a sense that Ovasabi wasn't afraid to walk the tightrope between light and dark.Now, as he re-emerges with Black & White, I wasn't just expecting growth. I was expecting something heavier, more refined. What I found was a leap. A shift in posture. An artist stepping into his full frame.In the time between these two chapters, Ovasabi has moved between continents - now based in New York, he's carried the pulse of Lagos and the Delta with him. His sound has matured. His perspective has widened. And in Black & White, he's crafted a raw, emotionally rich project that doesn't just explore duality - it lives in it.Our most recent conversation didn't feel like a formal interview. It felt like two old friends trading stories over beats and memories. And the stakes were high. With Black & White out now and buzzing - especially after the early success of the single "I NEED THAT," which dropped in August 2025 - Ovasabi was ready to talk, really talk.<img alt="" src="/media/inline_insight_image/Black_and_White.jpg"/> <h3>A Title With Weight</h3>I asked him first about the title. "Black and white," he said, "is good and evil. Rich and poor. Life and death. Truth and lies. Love and hate. You getting Black and White."It wasn't a metaphor. It was a manifesto.Visually, the project's aesthetic leans into that contrast, but Ovasabi's intent wasn't just to paint opposites. It was to own the full human experience. "I have the ability to manifest every human behavior and character," he told me. "I guess I just tell the stories from both sides - because I know I can."That duality defines the EP.<h3>Shaping Sound Across Borders</h3>The EP's lead single, "I NEED THAT," was more than just a banger - it became a statement track. With international features and a strong video rollout, it caught fire. "It did what needed to be done," Ovasabi said. "Being in a different space of mind & life, in a different country and continent - thousands of streams, a strong video. It's been received greatly."But Black & White is not just built on the high points.There's a depth in this project that speaks to vulnerability. One of the most personal moments appears on the track "Alone," featuring Rostov and Gregrics. Ovasabi admitted he nearly cut his verse. "I rapped about my ex-girlfriend," he said. "That verse had been in me for a while - we broke up years ago in Lagos. But since this is Black & White, I got vulnerable and let it out."I asked who made him feel safe enough in the studio to go there. His answer was simple: "Just me. I like operating from my inner self. See, why do you think my name is Ovasabi?"It's clear: vulnerability and control go hand-in-hand for him.<h3>Experimentation in the Extreme</h3>Black & White is as much a sonic experiment as it is a lyrical one. "Everything here is an experiment - golden," he said. "Nothing like the Ovasabi you used to." And that's true - this isn't just a continuation of Book of Ovasabi. It's a redefinition.Producers like Kulcha, Grndmstr, and Erizbeat - some of the best from Lagos - brought weight and texture to the project, even with Ovasabi now in New York. One of the standout production moments came on "Alone," where Erizbeat flipped the intro in a way that completely changed the emotional arc. "It gave the song another depth," Ovasabi explained. "We poured hearts and emotions into it."Behind the boards, A&R Sleem Jim was a steady hand - shaping, pushing, refining. "He shaped this project from start to finish," Ovasabi said. "If you listened to Book of Ovasabi, you'd see his influence. He made sure tracks like 'Calling' and 'Cheerful Giver' found their place."Surprising collaborations also found their way into the mix. Stephanie Milostic from Australia. Gregrics. Rostov. "Energies colliding in the best way," Ovasabi recalled. "That song brought us together."And through all of it, the core team reflected Ovasabi's values. "I like self-driven people," he said. "Those who dare, who are ready to fail and try again, who pour heart into their art. Thank God that's what we got."<h3>Merging the Black and the White</h3>I asked if any tracks attempted to merge black and white - not as opposing forces, but as coexistence. "Black & White is itself that merge," he said, "expressed through rhymes and rhythms. You'll understand when you listen."While the EP's title might suggest a commentary on race, that wasn't the focus. "It's not about color," he explained. "It's about words, lyrics, energy, rhythms. An image, an experience, a flow."If he had to perform one track in an empty room with just a mic, I asked, which would he choose?"All of them," he said without hesitation. "Every track matters. In that raw space, I'd let the emotions breathe, strip production back, let the voice carry."That kind of raw honesty echoes throughout the project.<h3>Still Stretching, Still Grounded</h3>As we wrapped, I asked whether Black & White marked a turning point - sonically, emotionally, or in terms of his career."Yes," he said. "I believe great things are ahead. But I leave that in God's hands."When I asked about a sequel - Black & White II - he smiled and gave a nod to the moment. "Let's enjoy this one first," he said. "Please, listen to Black & White EP."<h3>Afterword</h3>Talking to Ovasabi again felt like opening an unfinished chapter. The boy from Delta and Lagos, now living and creating in New York, is no longer just echoing his influences - he's shaping something new. In Black & White, he positions himself as a bridge between extremes: light and dark, hope and despair, vulnerability and confidence.We talked late nights in the studio. We talked about the fear of being too exposed. And still, he leaned in. That's what makes this his most vivid work yet.If you've been following Ovasabi's evolution, you'll recognize the growth - but you'll also hear what hasn't changed: that fierce, unfiltered voice. - -Stream Ovasabi's Black & White EP here: <a class="tc-blue external-link external-link external-link" href="https://linktr.ee/ovasabi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">linktr.ee/ovasabi </a>Booking & Inquiries:Email: <a class="tc-blue" href="mailto:sleemjim77@gmail.com">sleemjim77@gmail.com</a>Phone / WhatsApp: +2349055532285Connect with Ovasabi:Twitter: @ovasabiofficialInstagram: @ovasabiofficial_

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