Gospel music artiste and songwriter, Oluwatosin DOZ, says her ultimate goal is to use music to influence lives, shape positive decisions and create meaningful impact beyond commercial success.
DOZ stated this while speaking on the Ask the Expert segment of Trade FM’s Breakfast Business Briefing,where she discussed her music career, artistic identity and the business of music.
The artiste, who began her professional music career in 2017 after an earlier experience recording with her church fellowship while studying at the University of Lagos, described her journey as one of growth, learning and perseverance.
She said she initially had little knowledge of the music industry but gradually learned about music publishing, distribution and royalties.
According to her, understanding the business side of music is essential for artistes who want to build sustainable careers and protect their creative works.
Speaking on her sound, DOZ said she does not want to be restricted to a particular genre, although her music has incorporated elements of soul, Afrobeats and pop.
She explained that her sound continues to evolve, adding that she has reached a point where listeners can recognise her voice and identify her music through its lyrics and message.
The artiste also discussed the importance of understanding copyright and ownership rights, particularly when using previously released songs.
She warned artistes against uploading covers, medleys or other people’s music to streaming platforms without obtaining the necessary permissions.
DOZ explained that while making a cover of an existing song may be possible, artistes must understand the rights attached to the original work and agree on the appropriate terms before using it commercially.
She noted that failure to understand copyright could result in songs being taken down from digital platforms and create other legal or financial consequences.
On how artistes can determine whether a song is commercially successful beyond streaming numbers, DOZ pointed to audience engagement as an important indicator.
She said hearing people sing the song, receiving messages from listeners, seeing the song used in social media content and gaining audiences outside Nigeria could indicate that a song is gaining significant traction.
The artiste also said she is open to brand partnerships, provided such collaborations align with her values and offer positive benefits to audiences.
Reflecting on her definition of success, DOZ said music should do more than entertain.
“Music is about impact,” she said, explaining that she wants her songs to encourage listeners to make better decisions and positively influence their lives.
Looking ahead, she said she hopes to achieve greater international recognition within the next five years and turn her growing audience into a movement capable of creating meaningful social impact.
DOZ also advised emerging artistes to first understand what they truly want from music, identify their niche and remain willing to learn as they build their careers.
She added that artistes should focus on developing their identity and understanding the business side of the industry as they pursue their goals.
The artiste recently released Wrestle, a live recording inspired by the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. She explained that the song addresses struggles such as doubt, fear and unbelief, while pointing listeners towards rest in Christ Jesus.
DOZ said her music is available on YouTube, Spotify, Dreambox and other streaming platforms.
