Meet Paul Okwegba | Independent Artist & Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Okwegba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
As a musician I’m always refining my skills and my craft. I practice my instruments, I learn new and different techniques, and I’m constantly searching for ways to improve. I used to doubt myself so I had to learn to think and speak highly of myself despite whatever may happen in life, good or bad. My work ethic I would say is crucial to the success I have and am yet to achieve. I’ve put in countless hours, I sacrificed fun and my love life, and I’ve had plenty of moments where I do more than what is required of me, all towards creating my own unique sound and to assist other artists and producers. As long as I keep going and keep making the music I love and working as hard as I can, I have no doubt in my mind that I will make it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey in music is like everything I’ve been through in my life: it’s a process. Everyone starts somewhere. I learned how to play the saxophone officially starting from the 6th grade. From there up until the 12th grade, I learned a vast majority of musical terms and techniques which furthered my knowledge in woodwind instruments and music theory. I started making beats when I was 13 but I didn’t take it seriously until I was 15 as a sophomore in high school. I always listened to Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Kendrick Lamar because their production styles appealed to me at the time. I studied the beats of producers like Pharrell, Lex Luger, CardoGotWings, Metro Boomin, Kanye West, just to name a few. I was strictly just a producer, having no personal studio or equipment but I’ve always been a good singer and I was desperately trying to record my rap lyrics over my beats. I met NoChillSaint around the time I met Napps and he had the equipment necessary. At 19 we ended up living together, started our own record company, and began working on our collection of music. At my current age of 24 I realize that I have came a long way and at the same time I have an even longer way to go. My journey has been everything EXCEPT easy. I started without any help from my parents, they rather I make music a hobby. Few friends supported and shared my work. I would send my music to playlists and curators to sometimes no avail. But now, I work with more artists and producers now more than ever. I’m starting to generate somewhat of a buzz on social media. The quality of my music is like that of someone signed to a major record label. And I’m still learning new ways to achieve success with my music. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is keep going. It doesn’t matter if I’m rich, broke, have fans, or if I’m a total nobody, I have this vision that only I can see and only I have to carry out. I’ve always known I was unique and meant for something much more grander than the life I currently live. It’s all on me. I want the world to know that real music is very much alive and well. I am the greatest of my time and generation. I put in the work and I can’t think of anyone who wants it as badly as I do. I can and I will leave my mark on the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m the kind of person that would be down for anything. I may live in the DFW however I do not know specific places to actually go, I would just look up food spots and bars on my phone then go from there. I know a great place for some tacos, I know a place where you can do a sip and paint, I know a couple clubs and bars for a great night out. The DFW in my opinion is like a treasure cove and there’s really so many things to do. I’m a kid at heart so I will always suggest an arcade, laser tag, go karts, bowling, the sky is the limit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who are part of my journey that allowed me to reached new heights with my music, I want to give a shout out to 2 of my collaborators: Stano & Napps. Stano helped me better my penmanship when it came to songwriting in my early days starting out between 2015 and 2016. I met Napps in 2017 and I have been engaged in his work ever since. He inspired me to take my lyricism and songwriting to the next level; allowing me to write advanced level bars, clever word play, and challenging me to open up myself more in my music.

Website: https://koji.to/itskingapollo

Instagram: https://instagram.com/itskingapollo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/itskingapollo

Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCSjE2t5qNGIp55g0CY8TvQQ?feature=share

Other: Apple music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/paulo/205574463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5T9J0R4T7SkbdiX61vDhPr?si=tv5yfXoBRlW8cdsZN9W9oA Tik tok: https://tiktok.com/@itskingapollo Beatstars: https://www.beatstars.com/itskingapollo

Image Credits
Found on Instagram 1. https://instagram.com/tayloredcreationz?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 2. https://instagram.com/parteeography?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 3. https://instagram.com/graphicsbyagc?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 4. https://instagram.com/14thshooter?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5. https://instagram.com/dreadwayjay?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6. https://instagram.com/iamnurd_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==