Tunde Olaniran

As a child of an American social-activist mother and Nigerian Christian immigrant father, Tunde Olaniran has been instilled with the infusion of culture, consciousness, and rhythm since birth. Growing up, he lived in Germany, Nigeria, and England before settling in Flint, MI for his late adolescence where he was exposed to urban, folk, and soul influences of the small, humble city as well as a strong jazz influence on his mom's behalf.

With the mixture of the eclectic music surrounding him and the discovery of his budding talent, he was prompted in 2003 to submit an audition videotape to the first annual Chicago Idol competition. From over 1,500 contestants, the young crooner made it to the final 15, receiving props from a then-unknown Kanye West, and sharing the stage with R. Kelly and Syleena Johnson. It was then that Tunde got a taste for what he would begin to pursue.

On his musical journey, Tunde has fronted the popular rock band Taste This!, recorded the well-received debut solo album, Infinite Modulation, and teamed up with fellow musician Brian Preczewski to form the dynamic duo, Stereoluxxx. In the winter of 2008, Tunde collaborated with Berlin duo Chris de Luca vs. Phon.o for their album Supercontinental, writing and performing three tracks. He then toured Europe (France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia), sharing the stage with acts like Switch, Ebony Bones, Diplo, XXXChange, and Jahcoozi. Along with performing overseas, Tunde's records ?I'm So Trill? and ?Superconfidential? received airplay on international radio stations such as Radio 1, Radio Fritz, Jam FM, Motor FM, and FM4. In the States, his songs ?Champion? and ?I Got It? receive regular airplay on WKUF-LP 94.3 Kettering Radio.

Weird, soulful, old school, catchy, uplifting. All of these words have been used by listeners to describe Tunde's style. One moment, a chorus of vocals soar over a sitar raga, the next, he sings quietly over a spare Casio keyboard, 808, and gulping tablas. Armed with a strange, wonderful new sound, solid vocals, and commanding stage presence, Tunde is prepared to share his music with the world.

His current endeavor is an upcoming untitled album that features the hit single ?Cobra? complete with an exclusive music video. He's also gearing up to perform at the 2010 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, TX. Original in every way from the the look, the style, the sound, and even down to the name, Tunde Olaniran is an artist you won't soon forget.