Set for release on June 30, 2025, “Proof of Life” is the much-anticipated new album from British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Ola Onabulé and Swiss guitar virtuoso Nicolas Meier—a partnership that brings together two remarkable talents in a vibrant cross-cultural musical journey.
Born from a chance connection during the pandemic, their collaboration first took root through a series of livestream performances broadcast from Onabulé’s Casa Del Funk Studios. What started as a creative experiment quickly blossomed into a deep musical synergy, inspiring the pair to craft a collection of ten original songs that form the heart of “Proof of Life.”
The album is a true meeting of minds and styles. Onabulé’s renowned songwriting—marked by intricate polyrhythms and melodies steeped in his African heritage—melds seamlessly with Meier’s passion for Eastern, world, and jazz influences, and his mastery of a diverse array of stringed instruments. The result is a record that feels both intimate and expansive, rooted in tradition yet boldly forward-looking.
Reflecting on the origins of their work together, Onabulé recalls, “From the moment we started working together, I felt an instant musical synergy. Sure, I was impressed by Nicolas’ work with Jeff Beck, but what really caught my attention was his prolific voice as a composer. After a series of live-streamed shows, it was clear we had something special brewing.”
Their compositional process was as organic as their partnership. “The writing sessions were effortlessly enjoyable and immediately very productive,” says Onabulé. “We’d throw sketches of ideas together, and within a handful of meetings, we had the ten songs that became the album. Sometimes I’d hum melodies as Nicolas played, capturing the most instinctive responses; other times, he’d build arrangements around my ideas. It all just flowed.”
Mixed and mastered by acclaimed US engineer and musician George Whitty, “Proof of Life” is a testament to the duo’s creative chemistry and Onabulé’s meticulous attention to production detail. As they prepare to take their new music on an international tour as a quartet or quintet through 2025 and 2026, audiences can look forward to live performances that promise to be as dynamic and captivating as the album itself.
With “Proof of Life,” Onabulé and Meier invite listeners into a world where musical boundaries dissolve and new possibilities emerge—an album that’s as much about connection and collaboration as it is about sound.
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Source/Images provided courtesy of Crossover Media
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