Born to make music: Bayanni celebrates World Music Day

Accomplished musician, Bayanni, or Bayanni the Oracle, has harnessed the power of TikTok to share his unique sound and passion for music with his 213.2K-strong global audience.


Can you tell us about your journey, how you discover your passion for music, and who your musical role models are?

I was born into a musical family of five boys. Everyone in my family either sang or played instruments, but I took the most interest in music. When I was 5, I started playing the piano and then guitar. All my life, I have been creating music, even when I was studying accounting at university. Basically, music is what I will live for, because it’s what I know how to do best. My role models are Don Jazzy and Jay Z.


What inspired you to use TikTok as a platform to showcase your musical talent and connect with your audience?

I noticed the viral effect the platform had on songs. I then studied the trends and found a pattern for myself to make my song move on the platform. It’s exciting to have such a platform in this generation.


TikTok allows creators to engage with their audience through comments and duets. Have you had any particularly meaningful interactions with your fans or other creators that have impacted you or your music?

Yea. I’ve had a live session featuring my song “Ta Ta Ta” and a few duets.


How has TikTok helped you expand your reach beyond Africa and connect with a global audience for your music?

A song of my EP “Ta Ta Ta” blew up to the global scene. As a result of the TikTok buzz, it currently has 4.6 million videos under the sounds.


Can you share a specific moment or experience on TikTok that has played a significant role in elevating your music career?

With the emergence of “Ta Ta Ta” viral videos, the review has been amazing, including from a wider audience.


What role does African music play in your content creation, and how do you incorporate your cultural influences into your music?

I always make sure to infuse my language into most of my songs so as to remember where I come from and also so that listeners can identify with my cultural background. In this way, I don’t lose touch with my culture.


What challenges have you faced as an African music creator on TikTok, and how have you overcome them to continue growing and thriving on the platform?

Time is the core challenge, as there is always a lot of engagement every day. But, with extra hands, I have been able to manage my time and get to shoot content every chance I get.


African music is rich and diverse. How do you use TikTok to showcase the unique cultural elements of your music, and how has that resonated with a global audience?

I have been able to showcase the uniqueness of culture through my music, for instance, “Body” on my EP talks about the beautiful and unique women of Africa.


Have you collaborated or interacted with international artists or musicians through TikTok? If so, can you share those experiences and how they have impacted your music journey?

Yea. I recently collaborated with Jason Derulo on a remix and video of “Ta Ta Ta”. I also created a live video with Gucci.


Beyond TikTok, what other platforms or opportunities have opened up for you due to your success on the app, particularly regarding exposure to international music industry professionals?

TikTok has helped me to reach a global audience, with people of different languages and cultures dancing and vibing to my song. It’s amazing!


How do you balance preserving your African musical roots while also adapting to global music trends and genres to appeal to an international audience?

I set the right priorities and pay attention to trends.


How has your success on TikTok helped you break barriers and challenge stereotypes about African music on an international scale?

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. When the audience loves what you do, it will go viral and become a sensation.


Can you share a heartfelt fan moment or message you've received that made you realise the impact your music has had on people’s lives?

When I was interviewed a while ago, the interviewer expressed how much the first song on my EP “Family” made him tear up and appreciate how much he does for his family after losing his mom and dad. As the breadwinner of the family, the song inspired him and helped him understand that if he doesn’t do it for his family, who else is he going to do it for?


What message or advice would you like to share with other African music creators who aspire to make an impact on TikTok and achieve recognition on a global level?

My advice is: Just be intentional and authentic. Always sound original with your content and music.