By Josephine Agbonkhese

In a music landscape often dominated by trends and fleeting virality, Lumi Pelz stands out as a refreshing voice rooted in sincerity and emotional depth. Born Oluokun Benita Oluwapelumi in Nigeria, the singer-songwriter draws from her rich cultural heritage and personal experiences to create music that transcends borders while remaining deeply personal.

Her stage name, Lumi Pelz, is a distilled expression of her full name — Oluwapelumi, meaning “God is with me” — serving as a constant reminder of faith, purpose, and resilience on her artistic journey. Blending Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop, and contemporary African sounds, Lumi’s music explores themes of love, vulnerability, longing, and human connection with honesty and melodic warmth.

She first captured widespread attention with her breakout single ‘Dreams’ released in February 2024, a heartfelt track about deep love and hopeful futures. In July 2025, she followed up with ‘Connecticut’, an Amapiano-infused R&B record that further showcased her genre-bending versatility and storytelling prowess, generating strong engagement across Audiomack and international audiences.

As an independent artist, Lumi Pelz continues to carve her own path — wearing multiple hats while staying true to her vision. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her Nigerian roots, songwriting process, the inspiration behind her songs, the challenges of independence, her evolving sound, and her message to the next generation of African creatives.

How did you arrive at the stage name Lumi Pelz, and what does it represent for you personally?

Lumi comes from my name, Oluwapelumi, which means “God is with me.” Growing up, that name always reminded me of faith, purpose, and the idea that I’m never walking alone. When it came time to choose a stage name, I wanted something that still felt connected to who I am. Lumi Pelz became a shorter, more personal version of my identity. It’s a reminder of where I come from and the journey, I’m on as an artist.

Growing up in Nigeria, what experiences or moments first sparked your desire to become a singer-songwriter?

Music was always around me. Whether it was in church, at family gatherings, on the radio, or just hearing people sing around me, music felt like a natural part of life. As I got older, I realised I wasn’t just listening to songs; I was paying attention to lyrics and the emotions behind them then I started writing my own thoughts and experiences, and eventually those writings became songs.

How has your Nigerian identity influenced the way you approach themes like love, vulnerability, and human connection in your music?

Being Nigerian has taught me that people are deeply emotional even when they don’t always express it openly. We value relationships, family, friendship, and community. Those experiences influence the way I write. I try to tell stories that feel honest and relatable because emotions are universal, regardless of where you’re from.

Your sound blends Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop, and contemporary African elements. How do you describe your sonic identity, and what do you want listeners to feel when they hear a Lumi Pelz song?

I would describe my sound as emotional, melodic, and honest because I love blending different influences. I don’t think emotions fit neatly into one genre. When people listen to my music, I want them to feel something real whether it’s love, hope, nostalgia, or healing. I want listeners to connect with the music on a personal level.

How intentional are you about genre experimentation, and where do you see your sound heading next?

I’m very intentional about it because I never want to feel limited by one sound. Music is constantly evolving, and I enjoy exploring different styles while still staying true to myself. Going forward, I see myself experimenting even more with Afrobeats, R&B, Amapiano, and alternative African sounds. I want every project to show growth while still feeling like Lumi Pelz.

Many emerging African artists are gaining global traction. What do you think sets your music apart in today’s crowded African music landscape?

A lot of my music comes from real emotions and real experiences, and I feel what sets me apart is my willingness to be vulnerable. I’m not trying to chase trends or force a particular image because I’m focused on telling stories that people can connect with in an authentic way.

What was the inspiration behind your single “Dreams,” and how did its success feel for you as an independent artist?

Dreams was inspired by the feeling of loving someone deeply and imagining a future with them. It’s about hope, vulnerability, and allowing yourself to believe in something beautiful. Seeing the song connect with listeners across different countries was incredibly rewarding. As an independent artist, every stream and every listener means a lot because you know how much work goes into getting your music heard.

What inspired the song “Connecticut” and what does the title mean to you?

Connecticut came from a place of reflection and emotional connection. Sometimes certain places become tied to specific memories, feelings, or people in our lives. For me, Connecticut became a symbol of longing, affection, and shared experiences. The song isn’t really about a location; it’s about the emotions attached to it and the story those emotions tell.

Walk us through your songwriting process – do the lyrics or melodies usually come first?

It depends on the song. Sometimes a melody comes first and I build words around the feeling it creates. Other times, I’ll write down a thought or phrase and develop it into a song. On Dreams, I let the emotion lead the process before writing down the lyric and instrumental which led to a complete song. The thing is once I know what I want to say, everything else starts to fall into place naturally.

As an independent artist, what have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in releasing and promoting your music, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is wearing so many hats at once, creating music, planning releases, promoting content, building relationships, and managing the business side at the same time. It can be overwhelming. I’ve learned to stay patient, stay consistent, and focus on growth instead of immediate results.

How vulnerable do you allow yourself to be when writing, and is there a song you’re not yet ready to release because it feels too personal?

I think vulnerability is one of the most important parts of songwriting. There are definitely songs I’ve written that are very personal and still sitting on my hard drive. Some stories take time before you’re ready to share them with the world. I believe every song has its moment.

With growing streams across the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond, do you have plans for live performances, collaborations, or international tours?

Absolutely. Performing is something I’m really excited about because it allows me to connect with listeners in a completely different way. I’m also open to collaborations with artists from different cultures and backgrounds. But right now, I have been doing a lot of recording and collaborations with various artistes just to explore other genre and see what my strength is. The goal is to keep building internationally while staying connected to my roots.

What does success look like for you as an artist five years from now? Are there specific milestones or dreams you’re working toward?

Success for me goes beyond numbers. I want to build a catalogue of music that people genuinely connect with. Of course, I’d love to perform on bigger stages, collaborate with artists I admire, and reach new audiences around the world. But most importantly, I want to look back and know that I stayed true to myself throughout the journey.

Your bio describes you as part of a new generation of African creatives whose music “transcends borders while remaining deeply personal.” What message do you hope your music sends to young African artists coming up behind you?

I want them to know that they don’t have to choose between being authentic and being successful. The world is paying attention to African creatives now more than ever, and people are looking for genuine stories. Stay committed to your craft, trust your voice, and don’t be afraid to be different because what makes you unique is often your greatest strength.

If a new listener only had one song to understand who Lumi Pelz is, which track would you recommend and why?

I’d probably say Dreams. It captures so much of who I am as an artist, emotion, vulnerability, melody, storytelling, and more. It’s a song that feels very personal to me, and I think it gives listeners a genuine introduction to my sound and perspective.