Alief, Texas native Sherif Omotunwashe better known by his stage name, Syo, has been making music since his early teens, and during his stint in college, decided to pursue it full time. The artist’s first couple of singles, “Overload” and “Christain Dior,” came out in 2019 and has since been releasing hit after hit.
Syo most recently released his debut project called Senioritis, which he describes as a “concept” album about his life and the defining moments in his academic journey. All Syo wants is his fans to relate to his latest project and see and hear the therapeutic melodies in his project. In a recent interview, he states he wants “to save as many lives as [he] can with [his] music.” Syo views music as a catalyst for happiness and understanding and hopes to relate to his fans with his story. Ultimately, he was influenced by R&B music growing up and has a unique story to tell.
“My upbringing was very strict,” Syo describes. “Originally I wasn’t allowed to listen to rap. So I was influenced by a lot of R&B. By the time I started to make music I couldn’t really sing, so I would always make the melody and have someone else sing while I perfected my craft of rapping. But now that I’ve taught myself to sing I guess you can say I’m returning to my roots.”
His music career came into fruition when one day in college, during a lecture, Syo realized he wanted more than a dead-end job that he would never be happy with and decided to stick with music full-time.
“I finally decided to take it seriously was in college, sitting in class one day hearing my professor lecture on and on, and I realized that there was no way I could do this anymore,” Syo said. “Go to a class that I’m not interested in, to get a job I don’t love, for what? For money? No. Music is where I need to be.”
Syo continues to pursue music because he says that its what makes him feel the best and what makes him happy. He wants to relate to his audience and make them feel seen and heard. Syo has stated the response to his project has been overwhelmingly positive, and Syo knows he is finally on the right path, “relating to the people and changing lives.”
Make sure to check out Syo’s Senioritis EP below, now streaming on all platforms. Keep up with him on Instagram @im.syo.
