Written by Alexandria Anglade
For OBAJ, music has been more than just a passion—it’s been a lifelong journey. A true music lover from a young age, OBAJ’s exploration of sound began with trying his hand at guitar and drums. However, it was when he discovered EDM and a DJ app in his youth that the spark truly ignited. He learned the basics of tempo, BPM, and sound effects (SFX) which laid the foundation for his career in music.
Fast forward a couple of years, and OBAJ found himself inspired by a classmate at school, known at the time as Zom6ix and now recognized as *The Pastel Rapper*. As the buzz around *The Pastel Rapper*’s emerging hip-hop sound grew, OBAJ reached out to ask how he had gotten started in the genre. What followed was a pivotal collaboration that launched OBAJ’s career: The Pastel Rapper took him under his wing and taught him the essentials of recording, mixing, and refining his craft. Fast-forward eight years, and OBAJ is now part of the collective *20Titanz*, spearheaded by none other than The Pastel Rapper himself.
When it comes to creating music, OBAJ’s process is both organic and deeply connected to his inspirations. For self-produced tracks, he begins with a loop from Splice or a melody that catches his attention. From there, he adds drums and writes lyrics to gauge whether it’s a personal track or something better suited for someone else. The songwriting process sometimes takes multiple sessions, driven by fluctuating inspiration. “I want to make sure the song is exactly how I feel it, so it takes time,” says OBAJ, who describes his work as evolving with his growth as an artist.
In his early years, OBAJ aspired to be a conscious rapper, focusing on thought-provoking and introspective lyrics. Over time, his sound has shifted, blending lyrical depth with a more relaxed, vibe-driven style. “I get a lot of my inspiration from Cloud Rap, artists like Yung Lean, Playboi Carti’s first two projects, and Travis Scott. I try to stay somewhat lyrical, but I also want people to just vibe to the track,” he shares.
OBAJ's music touches on a wide range of emotions, but above all, he wants his listeners to feel connected to his story. He avoids the typical “flexing” lyrics prevalent in the genre because, in his words, “it’s just not relatable to most people, especially now.” Instead, he focuses on authenticity, ensuring that his audience gets a glimpse of who he is through every song.
Navigating the current music industry is no small feat, and OBAJ recognizes the challenges that come with being an artist today. “You have to be everything—content creator, artist, videographer, producer, engineer,” he explains. “But at one point or another, I’ve wanted to be every one of those things, so in a way, it’s both a gift and a curse. The key is consistency and freshness. I have an entire page for content ideas always waiting to be created.”
A major milestone in OBAJ's career came when he performed at *The Color Function* in October 2024. As the opening act, he had the opportunity to set the tone for the night, and according to OBAJ, it was “the time of my life.” With future shows on the horizon, he’s eager for more opportunities to connect with audiences live.
Looking forward, OBAJ is focused on growth and continuous improvement. “I just want to keep pushing forward, making music, improving my skills, and staying consistent,” he says. “This year is going to be huge for me and for *20Titanz*. I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
Instagram: @obaj_mud
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