Podcast
A Song Called Life
Hosted by Osi Atikpoh · EN
The artists shaping today’s music, in conversation.
A Song Called Life features in-depth interviews about new releases, creative process, and the experiences behind the work. Hosted by musician Osi Atikpoh, these candid conversations offer an inside look at how music is made and the lives behind it, with artists speaking openly about their work and their journey.
Earlier episodes featured broader conversations across culture.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode #291: Cautious Clay
1w ago00:38:00Tap to summarizeIn Episode #291, Cautious Clay sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album, The Hours: High Noon. The conversation focuses on the ideas behind the Hours trilogy, the balance between musical ambition and accessibility, and the importance of letting honesty and intention shape every creative decision. They also touch on how curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to making work that feels true have defined Joshua's approach to both the album and his career.
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Episode #290: Brockhoff
2w ago00:38:34Tap to summarizeIn Episode #290, Brockhoff sits down with Osi to discuss their debut album, Easy Peeler. They talk about the emotions that shaped the record, what it felt like to finally let it go, and the way vulnerability gradually became something to embrace instead of hide from. Additionally, they discuss Brockhoff's songwriting, the balance between softer moments and grittier guitar driven songs, and how making this album helped her reconnect with the reasons she started making music in the first place.
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Episode #289: Lee Lewis
2w ago00:47:51Tap to summarizeIn Episode 289, Lee Lewis sits down with Osi to discuss his latest EP, HOWL. Their conversation moves through reinvention, identity, and the journey from opera to R&B and soul, touching on how Lee found a voice that felt fully his own through songwriting, vulnerability, and creative freedom. They discuss the tension between classical training and self expression, the emotional honesty behind the music, and what it means to make art that reflects who you are rather than who you are expected to be.
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Episode #288: Sincere Engineer
Jul 600:46:53Tap to summarizeIn Episode #288, lead vocalist of punk rock band Sincere Engineer, Deanna Belos, sits down with Osi to discuss the band's latest album, Probable Claws. Their conversation moves through the excitement and exhaustion of release week, the band's evolution from its early days to headlining tours, and the ways memory, touring, and lived experience continue to shape Deanna's songwriting. They reflect on nostalgia, creative growth, and what it means to build a lasting career one record, one show, and one connection with listeners at a time.
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Episode #287: Rosa Walton
Jun 3000:37:16Tap to summarizeIn Episode #287, Rosa Walton sits down with Osi to discuss her debut solo album, Tell Me It's A Dream. Their conversation focuses on the freedom of stepping into a solo identity, the search for joy after hardship, and the quiet confidence that comes from making music on your own terms, while reflecting on creativity, friendship, and the parts of ourselves that only become clear with time.
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Episode #286: Mainard Larkin
Jun 2500:48:35Tap to summarizeIn Episode #286, Mainard Larkin sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album Rattlesnake Boy. Their conversation moves through Mainard’s shift from rap into a more storytelling driven songwriting approach, and how identity, vulnerability, and character building shaped both the record and a new creative chapter. Along the way, they discuss reinvention, aging, and the challenge of finding a voice that feels honest, even when it means starting over.
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Episode #285: PJ
Jun 1500:58:49Tap to summarizeIn Episode #285, singer-songwriter PJ sits down with Osi to discuss her latest EP, Why Do Feelings Matter Anyway. They discuss the challenges of navigating the music industry while remaining true to her artistic vision, and how experiences with both major labels and independence have strengthened her confidence as a creator. Their conversation also touches on resilience, self-trust, and the mindset required to build a lasting career, as well as the importance of emotional discipline, Black creativity, and creating music that feels authentic above all else. PJ reflects on turning setbacks into opportunities for growth and why focusing on the work itself continues to guide her forward.
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Episode #284: Nickelus F
May 2600:45:42Tap to summarizeIn Episode #284, rapper Nickelus F sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album The Undisputed. They discuss the shift from pursuing recognition to embracing creative freedom, and how years of experience have shaped a quieter but more grounded confidence in Nickelus' work. Their conversation also touches on Richmond’s cultural imprint, the lasting influence of the blog era, and the balance between artistic independence, legacy, and the simple act of continuing to create.
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Episode #283: Yaya Bey
May 600:46:51Tap to summarizeIn Episode #283, Yaya Bey sits down with Osi to discuss her latest album, Fidelity. Their conversation focuses on the emotional cost of chasing success, the importance of protecting your peace in an industry built on constant motion, and how vulnerability has become central to both Yaya’s life and music. They also discuss the making of Fidelity, from its blend of jazz, hip hop, soul, and dance music to the deeper questions of devotion, burnout, gratitude, and what it means to keep creating without losing yourself in the process.
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Episode #282: Tiwayo
Apr 3000:52:23Tap to summarizeIn Episode #282, Tiwayo sits down with Osi to discuss their latest album, Outsider.Their conversation focuses on Tiwayo’s path from the Paris suburbs to a sound shaped by blues, gospel, and Memphis soul, as they discuss how loss, family history, and lived experience show up in his music. They also discuss his return to live instrumentation, the role of performance in soul, and what it means to make work that stays rooted in tradition while still feeling personal and current.
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