We recently connected with Joseph Lanyo and have shared our conversation below.

Joseph, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I think I’ve always known, but growing up in a traditionally African household (mostly abroad), posed its own challenges. I had my mom’s voice in my head telling me “We did not bring you to America to be a Musician”, so that made me really take the time to do some soul searching. In a way, I’m thankful for that now; it’s due to this that I became the resilient and determined artist I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Joseph Lanyo and I’m a singer songwriter, and small business owner. I have spent the past couple of years realizing a long time dream of mine – bringing my music to the world. I get to make music now and share it with the world!! Though it is not my main source of income yet, we’ve come a long way and Joseph Lanyo LLC. is getting ready to host our first headliner show, date to be announced. I primarily make Afrobeats now and it’s because this genre is the most vibrant and it truly brings me alive. I share this joy with people live and over the airways. I am proud to be one of the artists championing on this amazing genre. In the world we live, there is so much suffering and pain surrounding us every day, but even in the midst of that, we have to find the joy, the beauty and the hope for a better tomorrow. This is what my music seeks to do. I am most proud of the fan base that we built already and I’m excited for those new fans to come along the journey as well. As I love to say, “ We no be one million but my fanbase is strong”. What is meant for you will come to pass. The people meant to find it will; they will come. That is something I’m learning to rejoice and find comfort in. This year I am really planning on spending more time developing our brand and what we provide, besides the art/the music. I’m working towards something tangible for my fans to be able to hold, feel, touch -to really come into contact with the Joseph Lanyo brand and what we are all about. My next coming single is at the end of this month and holds a really important message. It is the start of a new era of me for me where I look introspectively and truly talk about what is going on with me and why I feel the way I do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Music can be imperfectly perfect. Starting out as a classical musician, I feel like I put rules and guardrails on what I felt was good music and what I felt was just not good at all. I still believe sometimes we do make art that is subpar. But now I recognize that every piece of art has its place and its purpose. Because even though it might not speak to me or move me, that piece of work that I’m underestimating or scoffing at may be what moves somebody to truly change or grow.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to create a place where we can all forget our troubles and just vibe. A place where even on your saddest day you can find a way to feel hopeful, grateful, and just be in the moment. Spreading positivity, joy and making music that speaks life and love; that is the mission. I don’t consider myself a religious or Christian artist but I’m most definitely spiritual and my faith is part of everything I do. I bring that into my art as well because I truly believe music is spiritual.

Contact Info:

• Website: josephlanyo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo.lanyo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejosephlanyo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lanyojoseph
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCemIogD4_yI2elSRe-5EPZg

Image Credits
Pierre Marie A Deo G Arias F Kenneth A Joseph A Yemmanuel K Sarah K