Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom
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Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom
Rose May Alaba

Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom

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Rose May Alaba’s name often sparks curiosity due to her famous football family, but her journey is entirely her own. Rooted in music from childhood, she grew up in a household where melodies were as common as morning greetings—her father was a former artist, and her mother sang as well.

Rose May wants to be remembered as more than just the sibling of a football legend—she’s carving a vibrant path as a joyful and authentic voice in contemporary music.

Her creative evolution has been shaped by diverse experiences, including writing the theme song for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games and reconnecting with her Nigerian heritage. The warmth and vibrancy of Ghana also left an indelible mark on her creative process. The memories she gathered during these trips aren’t just personal milestones but foundational moments that reflect her evolving artistry.

Rose May Alaba
Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom

In a world where Afrobeat reigns as a cultural force, Rose May infuses her music with the sounds that connect her to both her heritage and the global stage. In our latest edition on #RVUnMute, we catch up with Rose May Alaba. The sensational talent shares her story from her childhood dreams, her reality and inspirations.

RV: Your family is well-known in the football world. When people hear your name, what do you hope they associate with you, beyond football? 

Rose May: A happy, fashionable babe who loves to sing and make music, haha. A lot of people might not know that I grew up in a musical household. My dad used to be an artist and my mom used to sing as well. So I always knew that I wanted to be in the music space from when I was little. 

RV: How would you describe your musical style, and what genres or sounds do you feel best represent your artistry? 

Rose May: It’s a rollercoaster. My music style is mostly happy but also lots of emotion and soul. It should make people want to dance but then also calm them. I feel like what I’ve put out so far are mostly happy love songs but with the EP I’m putting out soon you can really get an idea of who “Rozey” is. Genre, I would say, Afro Pop. 

Rose May Alaba
Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom

RV: Writing the theme song for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games was a significant achievement. How did that opportunity come about, and what did it mean to you?

Rose May: Coke was the sponsor of the Special Olympics and they reached out to me. I was so excited to have gotten that opportunity. It meant a lot to me that my music was representing this special occasion. 

RV: What inspired your visits to countries like Nigeria and Ghana, and how did those trips impact you personally and creatively? 

Rose May: It changed my life… The first time I came back to Nigeria I was way too young to comprehend anything. I was 10 years old at that time. When I went back in 2018 I just fell in love with my roots all over again. Growing up in Vienna is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it is a bubble for sure. Nigeria taught me a lot of moral core values. I love my people. Everytime I leave Nigeria I feel like I’m on top of the world and nothing can stop me, lol. It shapes my mentality on how I see life and that there is more to life. Same goes for Ghana, apart from the talented people that I have worked with, it is a beautiful place to find peace. 

RV: You’ve mentioned a desire to collaborate with African artists. How do you approach these collaborations, and what do you look for in a creative partner?

Rose May: Being in the creative space – it’s actually not that hard to get to know great artists, cause everybody somehow knows everybody. It’s either another artist is going to introduce you to the next artist or promoters too, shoutout to the promoters. To me friendship is important. I go off of energy. Same goes for producers, I kind of need to feel safe in the space I work – so I’m also very picky on who I let in my space. 

RV: What has been the most memorable moment of your exploration of African music and culture? 

Rose May: There’s a festival called “Our Home Coming” – 2019 was the first time I attended the festival and so many great artist, like Rema, Tems, Fireboy performed there. 2023 I finally performed at that particular festival. That was a full circle moment for me. 

RV: As someone with Nigerian heritage, how does reconnecting with Africa feel, especially as a musician? 

Rose May: It didn’t just shape me as a person but also as an artist. It allowed me to come out of my comfort zone and tap into new worlds. Being in a room with musicians, who are so gifted, helped me to grow so much. 

Rose May Alaba
Rose May Alaba

RV: Most of your songs explore Afropop sounds like single “Ibadi (Your Waist)” and latest single showcases Afrobeat influences. What inspired you to incorporate this genre into your music? 

Rose May: I just resonate with different sounds. I don’t like to be boxed in, cause I do see myself as a versatile artist. If it feels right, I infuse it. 

RV: You’ve had success on the Austrian charts. How does breaking into the African and global music markets differ from your earlier experiences? 

Rose May: It’s not comparable, at all. Austria is a very traditional and small country. So for me, it was a shocking moment, lol. The African market is so big and widely spread and every day amazing new artists come out. You automatically speak to a bigger audience. It’s definitely a challenge – I would lie if I say that the chances are higher that you’re going to make it just because the population is more. And also my people are the biggest critics as well. But once they love you – THEY LOVE YOU. 

RV: What’s one thing you want the world to understand about Afrobeat as a genre and its cultural significance? 

Rose May: The power of the people. There is nothing africans can’t do. Period. 

Rose May Alaba
Rose May Alaba on Embracing Heritage and Artistic Freedom

RV: How do you measure success, chart rankings, audience reception, or something more personal? 

Rose May: These are the worldly things. To be fair, it means something. But it’s not everything. I feel like you can get caught up in making songs that go viral. At some point you’ll get tired of it and want to just be your authentic self. Don’t get lost in the sauce. 

RV: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your music career, and what can fans expect from you in the near future?

Rose May: I’m so excited on what’s to come. There are a lot of projects I’ll be dropping this year. My new EP “Rozey“ is coming out in the next couple of months – great collaborations. And I’ll just be spreading my wings in different directions as well. This year I am all about putting myself out there with music, touring, fashion and traveling. I’ll keep my eyes open to doors that will open up for me and just try to keep going out of my comfort zone to see everything that’s possible. 

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