SEPTEMBER 2023/HOUSTON, TEXAS-
Paul Okwegba, also known as ‘Paulo’ is a musician, and producer who is from Houston, Texas and he now resides in Lewisville, Texas. In the music and entertainment industry, Paulo, the artist, has set his eyes on the top, and is determined to reach there. From putting in work for years and building his credibility in the city, the artist is continuing to lead in the industry and his work catches the attention of his listeners fast. Unorthodox, empowering, and meticulous, Paulo has a strong goal with his music: he wants to stay committed to his work while building a legacy. “Whenever I’m asked where I’m from I always give people the rundown of my family origin and my own experience. My family is from Nigeria, I was born in San Diego, California, and I was 9 years old when I first moved to Houston, Texas and I’ve been in Texas ever since. Houston I would say is my city of origin because it’s when I first discovered my passion for music and began working on creating music.” Paulo is destined for greatness.
Although failure is common while traveling far from home, Paulo, a successful artist who doesn’t give up easily, isn’t one to do that. He treats his working relationships seriously. His aspiration is to keep moving ahead and use his music to make a positive difference despite the difficulties. He speaks on a couple of current projects. “Creatively I’m working on music, making beats for artists, collaborating with other producers and musicians. I even make my own music, I’ve been on that path officially since March 2015. I also create short videos for my instagram and tik tok, I usually post longer videos on my youtube. I’m always looking for and coming up with new sounds and ideas to put to work. I’m getting into doing more shows where I showcase my music, making videos where I play some of my instruments, getting behind the scene footage of me making songs, working with other artists, it’s really a whole lot I have in store, just telling people about it just isn’t enough for me.” He describes some endeavors he is involved in at the moment. “I have several solo singles coming sooner than you think, several projects in the works, my upcoming mixtape Dangerous, Vol. 2 will be released before the end of this year, I will disclose the release date for that via my social media platforms. Several artists I’m working with big shout outs to NoChillSaint, Napps, Stano, Wex, The V1LIAN, M.A.C.K., my boy Forty86, my boy 20twentyy, big shout outs to my producer collaborators CAM.I.AM, Blanketboi, Daveed, shout outs to my label Rated Under Entertainment shout outs to the Gas Pack Collective. It’s way more people involved, I just had to mention the ones who’ve impacted me the most.”
Paulo has been well-known in his city and in others for a long time. Paulo the artist never gives up and is quite clear about his aims and ambitions, even through times of hardship. “The first thing I had to do to overcome struggles was to believe in myself. Sounds cliche but it’s the truth. There’s unlimited power in that. I had to put in the work and have this knowing that as long as I tried my absolute best with all I have no one can say I didn’t go as hard as I thought. I had to focus on my goals and dreams and I had to visualize what it is that I wanted them to strive to achieve. I sacrificed short term pleasures in order to make long term gains. I only listened to people who were going where I was going or who were already there. I do not listen to small minded people. I don’t hang out with anyone who isn’t about self-improvement and pushing themselves past their own limitations. I wasn’t supported by my parents, I had fake friends who laughed and ridiculed me, I made countless mistakes and faced numerous setbacks. I had to bet on myself. I had to challenge myself. I had to keep going despite what anyone said or thought, despite what was going on in my life. Not even my thoughts of suicide and depression could shake me. When I started seeing results, I kept going and started to go even harder and I betted on myself every time. I just keep going.” His goal is to keep moving ahead and to create something meaningful with his music. Paulo makes a difference in the music industry by putting in the hours of effort, enthusiasm, and motivation.
What inspires you?
What inspires me now is the same inspiration I had when I first started making music and it’s simply life. What I see, the people I surround myself with, the ups and downs, the stories I hear from everyday people I meet and interact with. I try to recreate and incorporate feelings and emotions I felt at a certain moment in time within my music to give it a timeless feeling. I like music with substance and meaning, I’m not into music that just sounds like it was made solely to be viral. Anyone can make a hit but not everyone can make music that hits differently. I believe it takes a certain kind of person, mindset, and pain to demonstrate such an ability.
What was your biggest obstacle?
The biggest obstacle I had to face was my self-doubt. I used to sleep on myself heavily and I was so shy and scared. I had to look deep within myself and wonder what I was afraid of. Was it being judged or hated because I work on my talents? Was it the words and opinions of other people I don’t even know? Or was I just scared that the effort I put in wouldn’t matter? I had to build the courage and confidence within myself to the point where I stopped caring about those things and I was only focused on putting myself out there. People can say what they like, at the end of the day, I got the results and no one can do what I do. Some will call me arrogant and I’ll say damn right. When you’ve seen what I’ve seen, done what I’ve done, and possess what I possess, you’d have pride in yourself too.
Paulo continues by saying that his love of music would always be his motivation in life. “The most influential people in my life are and always have been my family and any person I consider my family. As the youngest child, I’ve been captivated by my older siblings and shaped by them more than anyone. I think of NoChillSaint as my brother. He’s been putting me on new information constantly and I honestly wouldn’t have the confidence I have in myself if it weren’t for him. Also Napps and my boy Stano; they both are critical to my success as an independent artist as they’ve both pushed me to be a better lyricist. Last but certainly not least: God. There wouldn’t even be me had it not been for his grace. The people I’ve met, the paths I took, the lessons learned, my growth, it’s all been because of God. Without him I am nothing.” Paulo sees himself as an ambitious artist who, because of his perseverance and work ethic, has more recently inspired and motivated others. Others look up to him.
Paulo’s passion for creating his songs have pushed his drive and work ethic. He stays focused, honed, and disciplined in his work. “Keep going. Every goal, every dream, every idea you have that you want to put into action, you must see it through. You have a vision that you alone can see and only you can make your dreams reality. It takes courage. It takes discipline. It takes consistency. The hardest choices require the strongest of wills. Life is what you make of it. I’m a firm believer in that. Keep God first and he’ll make your wildest dreams way bigger than you can imagine.” Paulo makes an impact in the industry.
The emphasis of Paulo’s concentration is now on continuing to pursue his musical profession in order to build his already strong foundation even further than it is already. Paul Okwegba, also known as ‘Paulo’ has his sights set on the prize.
Press Release Published By #Focuseddd
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