Yessiey is proud to announce Otolorin Oluwasegun Michael, professionally known as Mr. Skylark, as the recipient of the African Emerging Juju Music Artist of the Year 2025, one of the distinguished honours presented at this year’s Yessiey Awards.
The recognition honors his exemplary talent in the preservation, promotion and advancement of Juju music, one of Africa’s most cherished indigenous music genres. His creative output, his profound sense of cultural integrity, has kept him alive to the relevance, vitality and capacity of the traditional African song to continue to motivate new generations of listeners.
The Yessiey Awards showcase, each year, individuals who have carried out work that exemplifies excellence, innovation, leadership and measurable impact in a range of different industries such as music, arts, entrepreneurship, journalism, humanitarian work and business. The awards remain one of Yessiey’s flagship projects, and continues to honor Africans who are helping to drive conversations and change on the continent.
The group of nominees is impressive this year, with all of these talented individuals making contributions in their areas of interest. Otolorin Oluwasegun Michael AKA Mr. Skylark was finally chosen to be the African Emerging Juju Music Artist of the Year 2025, after being extensively entered into nominations and engaged in public engagement during the awards process, for his rising prominence in the indigenous music industry.
In his professional career Mr. Skylark has been earning a reputation for authentic Juju music with a fusion of traditional Yoruba musical practices and new music. His work shows a keen regard for African culture and the creativity and originality it will take to ensure the continuity of indigenous music in the modern entertainment industry.
At Yessiey, we recognise that artists like Mr. Skylark play an important role in safeguarding Africa’s cultural identity. Although modern African music is enjoying unprecedented international popularity, the traditional music players who continue to play with such commitment are vital to the rich musical heritage of the continent. Otolorin’s performances, recordings and artistic vision continue to help to preserve and evolve Juju music for both local and international audiences.
It’s at the very core of our corporate values to identify new talents among Africans who are making a difference in their respective fields for us at Yessiey. Mr. Skylark is one of the future generation of cultural ambassadors who is using creativity to keep heritage alive, and accepting innovation.
We have no doubt that Mr. Skylark will continue to raise the bar for Juju music in his ongoing exploration and its contribution to Africa’s rich creative economy.
Congratulations to Otolorin Oluwasegun Michael AKA Mr. Skylark on this long over-due honour and wish him the best of luck in the upcoming year of inspiration in his musical career.
