My passion for music drives me to keep evolving – TimmyAce

Olusesan Timilehin popularly known as TimmyAce is a Nigerian, who was born and brought up in Ifo, area of Ogun state. He is currently based in United Kingdom where he went to pursue his Masters.

The fun-loving, and spontaneous singer who described his music style as Afrofusion said his music passion kept growing until I could no longer ignore it before he realized he was not only good at it, but I genuinely loved it, “that deep love turned into something I had to pursue seriously.”

In this interview with Taiwo Okanlawon he explains his humble beginning, his passion for music, and how he achieved his musical dream in Nigeria where he started music as a small boy from a musical parental background. Excerpts:

Who is TimmyAce?

My name is Olusesan Timilehin, born in Ifo, Ogun State. I’m a fun-loving, spontaneous guy, but I’m also very focused on the work at hand. I’m naturally social and find it easy to make friends—I’m just a chilled person overall. Currently, I’m based in the UK. I describe my music style as Afrofusion because I blend elements from various genres into my sound, making it dynamic and ever-evolving. Right now, I’m exploring Street Pop infusion, which mixes Yoruba, English, and local slang in a smooth, expressive way. That being said, I don’t like being boxed into one sound; I constantly evolve and experiment with different musical directions.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was a lot of fun. I came up in a time when human connection was strong, and Ifo—being a very social place—made it even better. As the firstborn in a large family, I had plenty of responsibilities, but I was naturally social from an early age. I began my primary education at Ireti Olu Model College before moving to Omolaja Sodipo Memorial Anglican School in Abeokuta. My creativity and charisma quickly made me popular—I stood out for my talents in dancing and singing. I later completed my secondary education at Methodist High School, after which I proceeded to Houdegbe North American University. Eventually, I relocated to the United Kingdom to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Management at the University of South Wales.

Take us through your creative process.

My creative process is heavily influenced by the instrumentals and my mood at the moment. Once I hear a beat, it sparks something in me—it could trigger a memory, a vibe, or an emotion. That initial feeling sets the tone, and I let it guide the flow of my lyrics and melody. I don’t force anything; I allow the sound and my state of mind to lead the direction of the song.

How did you get into the music business?

Honestly, music found me. It started as a passion that kept growing until I could no longer ignore it. I realized I was not only good at it, but I genuinely loved it. I’ve always been a huge music enthusiast, and over time, that deep love turned into something I had to pursue seriously. Taking action felt natural—it was the next step in following what I was truly meant to do.

How long have you been in the music business?

I’ve been in the music business for about a decade. I dropped my very first single back in 2015 while I was in university—that’s when the journey truly began. Although my first official single was recorded in 2018, it wasn’t until 2020 that I uploaded it to Audiomack. But 2015 was the year I actively started chasing music with intention and focus. That was the point where passion turned into pursuit. 

Your latest single ‘Omo Ologo’ dropped early this year, how is the reception on it so far?

The reception for Omo Ologo has been remarkable so far. It’s been well accepted and definitely gave me a boost in visibility. The song has gained solid traction on Nigerian airwaves, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone who’s heard it agrees it’s a quality track—it just needs more ears on it. I believe the more people hear it, the bigger it gets.

How was the process of making this song?

The process of making Omo Ologo was very organic. I had a conversation with my producer in Nigeria about the idea of switching up my sound. After we talked, I sent him a few instrumental samples that matched the kind of vibe I was feeling at the time. By the next day, he sent me back a beat that instantly connected with me. Funny enough, Omo Ologo wasn’t the song I originally planned to record during that studio session—but the moment I heard the instrumental, I knew I had to go with it. I wrote and recorded it in real-time. It just flowed naturally without much planning, and that spontaneity made it even more special.

How challenging is it to be a musician?

Being a musician is very challenging—especially when you’re juggling real-life struggles alongside the demands of the craft. It’s financially demanding, emotionally intense, and it requires constant dedication. But at the end of the day, passion is the fuel that keeps me going. That deep love for music helps me push through the hard times and stay focused on the bigger picture.

How do you balance music and other obligations like work, leisure, and family?

Over time, I’ve learned how to balance music with work, leisure, and family, but I won’t lie—it’s not easy. It really comes down to effective time management and being willing to make sacrifices. You have to prioritize, stay disciplined, and sometimes give up comfort to stay consistent with your goals. It’s a continuous process, but I’m getting better at it every day.

Tell us about your upcoming projects

My upcoming project is Badoo Love, one of the tracks off my sophomore EP titled ‘Happy Hour’. It is a captivating street romance, an emotional story full of raw confessions and passion it blends vulnerability with swagger mixed with love, and confidence.

How do you hope your sound evolves going forward?

For me, sound is all about vibration—it changes with time and life experiences. Moving forward, I plan to make my music more conscious and reflective, while still holding on to the playful, lighthearted part of me. I go by the alias TushRazz, which captures the duality in my sound—the balance between my ghetto roots and my Western experiences. Sometimes I lean more into one side, and sometimes I mix both, but either way, I stay true to myself and the moment I’m in.

How would you describe your struggle over the years finding your feet in the industry?

Finding my feet in the industry has definitely been a struggle. The biggest challenges have been funding and gaining visibility, especially since the market is so saturated. The cost of promotion is incredibly high for independent artists, which makes it tough to break through. But like they say, “How bad do you want it?” For me, that determination to make it despite the obstacles is what keeps me going. I’ve learned to be resourceful and persistent, and I know that with time and hard work, it’ll pay off.

What are the challenges you’ve faced so far?

The major challenge has been funding. Like many independent artists, getting the resources to fully realize my vision has been difficult. But I continue to find ways to push forward despite the hurdles.

Who influences you in the music industry both in Nigeria and the Diaspora?

I grew up in a rich musical environment—my dad was a Juju singer in the 80s and 90s, so I was exposed to a lot of different genres, including Juju, Fuji, gospel, hip hop, and more. The major influence for me, though, was Dagrin—he made a huge impact on my sound and mindset. Over time, I also grew to appreciate artists like 9ice, Olamide, and the entire Coded Tunes era. My taste in music keeps evolving, and I find inspiration in different artists at different points in my journey, but Dagrin was definitely the foundational influence. In the diaspora I think Chris Brown had an effect on most of the 90s kids his song was a ringtone on our Nokia phones back then however there were 50 Cent, Micheal Jackson, Skepta, Adele Beyonce, and Jay Z to name a few.

What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to ten years?

In the next five to ten years, I see my brand fully evolving into a household name in the industry. I have strong faith in my potential as an artist, and I’m committed to growing, creating, and making a lasting impact.

What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?

I believe my strengths lie in my songwriting skills, my adaptability and persistence as a person. I don’t give up easily—I’m always pushing forward, no matter how tough things get. My passion for music drives me to keep evolving and perfecting my craft.

If you’re not doing music, what will you be doing?

If I wasn’t doing music, I’d likely be working in sales or business. Even though music is my full-time focus now, I still apply my business experience in my music career. It’s a win-win situation because the knowledge I’ve gained from both worlds helps me approach my music more strategically.

Are you an independent artiste, and does having a record label play a big role in the industry?

I’m an independent artiste and yes record label makes the journey very easy they have the connections and funds to leverage and the platform is a soft landing no one can deny.

Who would you like to collaborate with among the heavyweights in the Nigerian music industry?

Olamide tops my list, without a doubt. However, I’d be thrilled to work with anyone I resonate with, including Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Barry Jhay,Ajebo Hustlers, Fola, Zlatan, BNXN and many more. The list could go on, but the most important thing for me in any collaboration is finding artists whose energy aligns with mine. I’m open to collaborations that can elevate my sound and give me more visibility. Those are the key factors for me when it comes to working with others.

When are you going to drop another major project?

I’m planning to drop my EP this November. Before then, I have a few singles lined up to give fans a preview of what to expect. So far, I’ve released two tracks from the EP: Sunshine Remix featuring Mascara Vibez and Omo Ologo. These are just a taste of what’s to come, and I’m excited for everyone to hear the full project.

What do you think the future holds for Afrobeats in the Western world?

It’s an exciting time for Afrobeats, and I see the sound becoming even bigger globally. However, I hope that as the genre grows, more local infrastructures are put in place to ensure that the major players and shareholders remain from the local scene. This way, the essence of Afrobeats won’t get lost in the wave of globalization, and the culture will remain rooted in its origins while reaching new heights worldwide.