Soundz is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer born Samuel Idowu Oluwadarasimi in Lagos, Nigeria. He is signed to AfroNext Entertainment and is best known for his 2022 viral single “Attention,” taken from his debut EP “In The Rough.”
Who Is Soundz?
Soundz is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to AfroNext Entertainment. He performs across Afrofusion, Afropop, and R&B styles. He came into the mainstream music scene with an acclaimed extended play, In The Rough, led by the track “Attention.”
What Is Soundz’s Real Name and Background?
Soundz’s real name is Samuel Idowu Oluwadarasimi. He was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and developed an interest in music from an early age, influenced by artists like Maleek Berry.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Samuel Idowu Oluwadarasimi |
| Stage name | Soundz |
| Production alter ego | Funwon |
| Birthplace | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Genres | Afrofusion, Afropop, R&B |
| Record label | AfroNext Entertainment |
| Years active | 2020–present |
How Did Soundz Start His Music Career?
Soundz decided to pursue music professionally after graduating from secondary school. He had always had an interest in music growing up, and he chose to commit to it fully once his formal education ended. He gained early popularity as a record producer, singer, and songwriter following the success of his song “Darasimi” in 2020, which became popular on Triller Nigeria.
Three releases marked his early career before his 2022 breakout:
- “Darasimi” (2020), named after his surname Oluwadarasimi
- “Cinderella” (December 2020), with a music video released the following year
- “Down” (2021), a collaborative single with Chop Daily
What Is Soundz’s Production Alter Ego?
Soundz produces music under the alter ego Funwon, using the production tag “Wicked.” He described this side of himself as separate from his artist identity, focused on making an impact on any track associated with the tag. Funwon also produced the Amapiano refix of “Attention.”
What Are Soundz’s Major Songs and Projects?
Soundz has released two extended plays under AfroNext Entertainment: In The Rough and Bleu.
In The Rough functioned as his debut solo EP. He released it on July 27, 2022, as a six-track project, led by the single “Personal” and featuring the tracks “Pressure” and “Attention.” He titled the EP “In The Rough” to represent a person with unappreciated potential, reflecting a difficult period in his life at the time.
Bleu followed as his sophomore EP. He unveiled the project as a fusion of Afropop and R&B, described by reviewers as an artistic leap built on rich storytelling and layered production.
| Project | Release date | Type | Track count | Key tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In The Rough | July 27, 2022 | EP | 6 | Personal, Pressure, Attention |
| Bleu | 2025 | EP | Not specified | Not specified |
How Did “Attention” Become a Viral Hit?
“Attention” gained mass popularity through TikTok roughly four months after its initial release. The song describes the overwhelming affection partners have for their significant others. It accumulated more than four million streams across platforms and debuted at number 6 on the TurnTable Afro-Pop Songs chart.
Who Has Soundz Collaborated With?
Soundz has worked with and received endorsements from several established Nigerian acts. Examples include Teni the Entertainer, YKB, and Chop Daily. He also appeared on the lead single from Ejoya’s Class of ’21 compilation, a project that platformed rising artists including BNXN and Telz.
What Chart Achievements Has Soundz Recorded?
Soundz has recorded three notable chart placements since his 2022 breakout:
- “Attention” debuted at number 6 on TurnTable Afro-Pop Songs
- In The Rough peaked at number 36 on TurnTable Top 50
- Soundz ranked number 80 on TurnTable Artiste Top 100 in November 2022
What Is Soundz Known For?
Soundz is known for three primary traits:
- Blending Afropop melodies with R&B-style songwriting
- Operating a distinct production identity under the Funwon tag
- Producing a sleeper hit in “Attention” that gained traction gradually through TikTok
What Is Next for Soundz?
Soundz continues to expand his catalog following the release of Bleu, positioning himself among a new generation of Afrobeats artists moving between singing, songwriting, and production. His dual identity as both a performing artist and a producer under the Funwon tag gives him more creative control than artists who depend entirely on outside producers, a factor that supports his continued output across both roles.