Oleahh bridges Europe, Africa through music and technology

It’s a bold statement about the power of music and creative technology to connect worlds.

Oleahh credits her time in Kenya and Tanzania with transforming her career. “The music community here is alive and inspiring,” she says. “In East Africa, artists support each other, and that energy gave me the confidence to dive deeper into my artistry.”

Unlike the muted response she experienced in Europe, the vibrancy of Nairobi and Dar es Salaam fueled her creativity and gave her the courage to claim her space in the industry. “It’s a place where people want you to win,” she adds, emphasizing how collaboration, connection, and community continue to shape her sound.

Collaboration is at the heart of Oleahh’s journey, both musically and personally. She frequently creates alongside her fiancé, Mr. Kesho, a well-known figure in the bongo flava scene and former member of Watu Fresh.

Together, they not only write songs but also build creative spaces—like a new artist hub they are constructing in Dar es Salaam. “When we go into the studio, we lose all sense of time,” Oleahh explains. “It’s an unstoppable universe of ideas.”

For her latest single, she teamed up with Mafia, the acclaimed producer behind many of Harmonize’s hits. The track was born out of her desire to make a “vibe song”—something energetic, genre-bending, and danceable.

Queen of the Desert blends Arabic and Indian musical influences with Tanzanian bongo flava, Afrobeat rhythms, and even Norwegian folk tones. Sung in English, Swahili, and peppered with Zulu phrases, the track embodies her mission to craft sounds that resonate across cultures. “This isn’t just another bongo flava hit,” she insists. “It doesn’t sound like Beyoncé or Rihanna. It’s something entirely different.”

The song’s ambition extends to its visuals. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Nicklas, the Queen of the Desert video is a cinematic spectacle featuring more than 100 participants.

Shot across Dar es Salaam, it moves from desert landscapes to a pajama party to a full-scale carnival, complete with 50 dancers. For Oleahh, the video is as much about setting a new standard as it is about showcasing her music. “I hope these visuals inspire artists to be limitless,” she says. “We should always try new forms of expression to leave a bigger creative footprint.”

While her roots remain in Norway, Oleahh’s artistic identity is firmly tied to East Africa. She admits she would never have pursued music so seriously if she had stayed in Europe.

“Norway values equality, but sometimes that limits expression. In Kenya, taking up space is celebrated—and that gave me the courage to embrace my artistry fully.”

That embrace has also deepened her passion for amplifying bongo flava to international audiences. She believes the sound has all the qualities to reach global stages, especially when blended with English hooks, yet she also sees the importance of preserving Swahili as part of its identity.

“I started making music only this year, but it feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for it,” she reflects. “East Africa gave me the confidence and energy to dream bigger—and now I want to take this sound to the world.”