AGU Oluchi Olivia, the Nigerian singer, songwriter known as Livia, recalls the first barrier she broke: at age seven, she insisted on joining her primary school’s all-male band as a drummer. “It was just the norm then that only boys played instruments,” she said. “I loved the rhythm, so I kept showing up until they let me in. I became the best drummer on the team.”

That early defiance of expectations set the stage for a musical journey built on versatility and craftsmanship.

Her technical foundation was laid early. After mastering the drums, she learned guitar, keyboard, clarinet, and saxophone in secondary school. She began writing songs and, by university, had moved into music production. “I wanted to understand how to build a song from the ground up,” she explained.

Her first single, “POCO” (2019), gained traction on campus and local radio. A follow-up, “TOUCH & FOLLOW” (2021), expanded her audience. Last year, her music reached a new platform when her song was featured in the Nigerian film Radio Voice, a placement that introduced her sound to a broader audience.

Her EP, Rhythms & Soul, reflects her multi-instrumentalist background and personal narratives. Tracks like the bilingual “UDO (Peace)” explore spiritual themes, while “Your Love” leans into amapiano grooves and “Lover Girl” channels dancehall energy. “The project is about different versions of my experiences,” Livia noted. “Some days are for reflection, some are just for dance.”

Industry observers note her hands-on approach is less common among new vocalists. “Livia isn’t just a singer; she’s a musician who understands composition and production. That gives her work a distinct coherence,” said music critic Tunde Adewale.

With this EP, Livia is focused on the next phase. “This feels like the true beginning,” she said. “The goal is to keep making honest music that connects.”

For the artist who started as the only girl with a drumstick, connection has always been the point; one rhythm at a time.