#28: Priscilla Owusu on the Future of AfroBeats

In this episode of The Idealists. (formerly Grit & Grace), host and entrepreneur Melissa Kiguwa interviews Scilla Owusu, the face of Africa Forbes last 30 under 30 cohort. Scilla is a Ghanaian-British director and producer. Working in both narrative film and music videos, she is best known for directing music videos for some of Africa's most prominent musicians like Burna Boy and Mr. Eazi. In this episode she shares her stories working alongside heavyweight musicians and how she became an unaccidental-accidental creative.

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In the episode:

– The episode begins with Scilla explaining why university is not necessarily the only path for building a creative career. She describes how she left university for a gap year to shoot a project with her brother (photographer and artist, Danny Wonders). During her gap she honed her craft despite being fired from her job at Sainsburys. They ended up receiving two nominations for their series, and Scilla understood the creative life was the path for her.

– She then describes how she transitioned from working with her brother to producing and directing music videos by DM'ing artists all over Europe and Africa. The first big artist she produced a music video for was Nigerian artist Mr. Eazi.

– Scilla shares why she is selective with the projects she takes on and her vision for the future of AfroBeats music videos including AfroBeats Grime, AfroBeats House, AfroBeats R&B, and more. She then shares stories working with artists while navigating budgets, labels, and egos.

– Scilla ends the episode describing how being featured on Africa's Forbes 30 under 30 has transformed her life and why she hopes young people will take more creative risks.

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