“Being able to pick up the phone and talk to other Fellows around the world was super cool. Sometimes I experience ‘down moments’ and now I can talk to someone whenever I need to…And they get it.”

In this series, we’re highlighting our VERSIONS Alumni. You’ll learn about their transformative journeys with and through the VERSIONS Youth Fellowship.

Edward

Edward Oladipupo’s journey into music began in Lagos, Nigeria with his mother’s influence. She introduced him to music, emphasizing the importance of the lyrics and their impact. His father also highlighted that “every song has a spirit,” which influenced Edward’s careful selection of the music he consumed.

This early exposure to music spanned genres, from pop to country and rhythm and blues. While no one in his family was particularly musical, his father would sing covers of songs, butchering the lyrics but singing joyfully and making the family laugh.

From a Hobby to an Essential

Despite his long-time love for music, Edward initially saw it as a hobby rather than a career. He was focused on uplifting his community and furthering his education. As an activist from an early age, Edward found it important to share skills like shoemaking and soapmaking with his community and take on leadership roles to teach others.

It wasn’t until his second year of university that he and his friends formed an acapella group. Music quickly became a sporadic but essential part of his life, a tool for reassurance and self-expression.

VERSIONS as a Sign

After completing his Bachelor’s degree, Edward took a gap year to refresh and reset at home in Nigeria. During this time, he stumbled upon the VERSIONS Youth Fellowship. Initially, he scrolled past the call for submissions, but a second encounter felt like a sign he couldn’t ignore.

Reflecting on his decision to apply, Edward describes it as a transformative journey, emphasizing his desire to learn more about the intersection of music and social change. “It’s been a transformative journey for me, and I’m glad I took the step and applied.”

More than Music

Edward initially expected the program to focus on music and building friendships. While it did deliver on both fronts, he found the educational components equally significant. Learning about pre-colonial eras and tracing his history were eye-opening experiences. This deeper understanding of his roots and the concept of racism, especially since moving to Italy for school, was transformative.

“Before VERSIONS, it was hard for me to connect to the idea of racism because I was a Nigerian living in Nigeria, but as I came to Italy, I understood. And learning about the roots of colonialism and racism from VERSIONS has really helped me navigate this new country.”

A Safe Space

The opportunity to collaborate on music creation with other Fellows stands out as Edward’s most memorable experience in the Fellowship. He says the environment felt safe enough for people to be vulnerable, and the exchange of diverse perspectives and talents was incredibly inspiring.

“VERSIONS encouraged us to be vulnerable, but they made sure it was safe enough to do so.”

Elevating Leadership

Edward recognized the power of the arts for social change early on. He had written scripts and used theatre as a pathway to address issues like inclusion and equality. However, using music as a tool for activism was a new venture for him, one he embraced during his time with VERSIONS.

As part of the Fellowship, Edward designed and implemented a social impact project. Edward developed a network of young volunteers to visit elderly people in the Abesan Estate Ipaja community. They exchanged generational knowledge, and the volunteers offered each person supplements to increase their physical and mental health. He knew the importance of intergenerational and intercultural exchange—a cornerstone of the VERSIONS project.

This experience taught Edward to be more present and patient, moving away from his perfectionist tendencies. “I tend to over-plan and think about everything that can go wrong. Now, I’ve learned to be more present and patient.”

A Found Family

Edward credits the VERSIONS program with providing him with a new family. The connections he made are invaluable, offering support and a sense of belonging. The program’s holistic approach helped him understand and cope with experiences like racism, boosting his self-esteem and overall well-being.

“VERSIONS is not just a program; it’s a family. During the process, things might not make sense, but by the end of the program, you see all the dots connecting. Now I have people to reach out to whenever.”

A Note to Future Applicants and Fellows

Edward’s advice for future applicants is straightforward: “Send the application. That’s the first thing.” He also emphasizes the importance of staying calm and present, encouraging others to connect with their fellow participants without needing to be already-established musicians.

He says, “You don’t need to be a music guru. If you love music, that’s enough. So be present and connect with everyone.”

What’s Next

Since graduating from the VERSIONS program, Edward has begun to consider a career in songwriting, a path that now feels natural to him. However, he remains dedicated to his academic goals, currently pursuing a second master’s degree in global economy and business in Italy.

Edward says VERSIONS has helped change his life and perspective.

“Being part of VERSIONS has meant so much to me. Now, when I experience something like racism, I understand where it is coming from, and I know how to handle myself and be self-aware. VERSIONS helped me increase my self-esteem. I truly believe everything was a divine connection. It all makes sense to me now. Maybe God knew I was coming to Italy and placed me in VERSIONS to help.”