IsaDora: A Rising Star
Every great artist starts somewhere, and for this dynamic Nigerian singer-songwriter, the journey began with small, heartfelt performances for an audience of one—her mother. Today, she’s creating waves in the music scene, balancing her passion for music, a flair for fashion, and academic commitments. Here’s a closer look at her inspiring story, career highlights, and aspirations.
The Beginning: From Freestyling to Songwriting
“I’ve always been a singer, not necessarily an artist,” she recalls. Growing up, she would perform for her mom, imagining a life where music was part of her everyday reality, though not necessarily mainstream.
The turning point came during an eight-month-long ASUU strike, a downtime that many students found frustrating but one she used to discover her true calling. “I won a beat in a competition because I sang, and that was my first real attempt at writing songs beyond freestyling,” she shares. Her first composition was well-received, igniting a newfound belief in her talent.
Encouraged by her mother and fueled by ambition, she began writing more songs, eventually meeting a producer who helped bring her debut single to life. “The reception was very good, and I got signed to Imja Lifestyle Management,” she adds. Since then, the journey has been seamless, with her management playing a vital role in supporting her rollout and other projects.
The Influence of OAU on Her Career
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been pivotal in shaping her musical journey. “My first producer was an OAU student, my manager graduated from OAU, and my first song and performances happened there,” she reflects.
The university provided not just a platform but a community that nurtured her budding career. Now, with her supportive team, she looks forward to expanding her reach beyond OAU to larger stages and global audiences.
Balancing Music, Fashion, and Academics
Being a student, artist, and fashionista might seem like juggling three lives, but she seamlessly integrates them. “Fashion is a lifestyle, just like making music,” she explains. Her music videos and songs are an extension of her personal style, making it easier to blend her creative passions with her everyday life.
Headies Mic Check: A Transformative Experience
Her participation in Headies Mic Check Season 2 was nothing short of transformative. “It was a lot of emotions,” she says. The competition pushed her to explore genres she hadn’t tried before, refine her stage presence, and challenge herself as a songwriter.
“During my first performance, I followed an instruction to stay still on stage, but everyone else broke that rule,” she admits. “It was a lesson in trusting my instincts and understanding what works for me as an artist.”
The experience also taught her to rewrite songs from another’s perspective, a challenging but rewarding exercise in creative storytelling. “It was beautiful all in all—a phase that was absolutely needed for my career path.”
Other Competitions and Early Wins
Before Headies Mic Check, she participated in an Instagram competition hosted by a record label, where she emerged as the second runner-up. “That was huge for me,” she says. “I had just started and didn’t even know how to record my songs. Coming third gave me the confidence and push I needed to move forward.”
Creative Process: Storytelling at the Core
When asked what makes her sound unique, Dora’s response is bold and introspective: “It’s literally just me. My mind is a complex place—complicated, dangerous even—and that’s how my music is.”
Her music thrives on storytelling, often weaving narratives that aren’t her own but are deeply expressive. “The song I’m dropping is a story, but not mine,” she teases, leaving us eager for what’s to come.
While her sound is distinctly hers, she acknowledges influences from icons like Asa, Brymo, and Tems. Asa, in particular, resonates with her for her homely and authentic style. “A lot of my original songs have a dash of Yoruba in them, sometimes even entirely in Yoruba,” Dora notes. However, she emphasizes that while these artists inspire her, her sound remains uniquely hers.
Fashion as a Statement
When it comes to fashion, Dora finds inspiration in Rihanna. “Rihanna made her mark in the fashion world,” she says with admiration. “She has a way of making unconventional outfits look like the most fire thing out there.”
For Dora, fashion is more than appearance—it’s part of her artistic expression. Her style seamlessly complements her music, allowing her to visually narrate her stories just as powerfully as she does through sound.
Vision for the Future
Dora sees a bright future for herself in the music industry. “In five years, I’ll be a household name,” she declares confidently. She envisions winning awards, breaking barriers, and going on global tours. With faith, talent, a supportive team, and a strong foundation in family and friends, Dora believes she’s on the path to greatness.
Looking back, Dora’s advice to her younger self is simple yet profound: “Embrace your voice. Stop trying to sound like someone else.” She admits to a phase where she imitated other artists, which, while helpful for training, affected her confidence. Today, she fully embraces her unique voice, using it as a tool to captivate and inspire.
Rooted in Heritage
Her pride in her hometown, Iwo, Osun State, is unmistakable. She carries the banner of her origins with a sense of duty. “I was born, bred, and schooled there. My whole existence was in Iwo before I left for university,” she explains. The calm, communal atmosphere of Iwo is a core part of who she is and shapes her artistry.
Her name, Isadora, is a testament to her family’s deep connection to meaning and faith. Originally named Deborah, her family adopted Isadora after learning it meant Gift of God in Greek, mirroring the meaning of her Yoruba name, Ebunoluwa.
Juggling her final year at Obafemi Awolowo University with her burgeoning music career and other pursuits is no small feat. Dora credits her ability to slow down and focus, referring to a practice called Feeka, which means taking a moment to pause. “It’s about sacrifices,” she says. “I give my studies and my music my all because I can’t afford to fail at either.”
A Rising Star
With her next single set to drop on the 20th of November, she’s excited about what the future holds. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve worked on so far,” she gushes. Supported by Imja Lifestyle Management, she’s ready to take her music to new heights.
This rising star’s story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and a commitment to growth. As she sets her sights on bigger stages, one thing is certain: this is just the beginning of an incredible journey.
Listen to her new single here