Muyiwa Olarewaju joins Order of the British Empire

The artist was selected for the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his service to music. He was presented his OBE medal by Prince William during an investiture ceremony on 12 January.

Established in 1917 by King George V, the OBE title is bestowed for contributions to the arts and sciences, efforts with charitable organisations, and public service outside the civil service.

Reacting to the award, Olarewaju said that while the new milestone came as a total surprise, he was grateful to everyone who had enabled him along his journey. Olarewaju added that the recognition was “massive” because the work of independent artists would often go unnoticed.

“Thank you to everyone single person that prayed, cared and invested in this young man. I pray that thoughts of me brings you joy and pride and never pain or shame,” he said.

Olarewaju, who is also a talent show judge and radio host, is widely credited for his influential role in popularising gospel through a blend of traditional elements, soul, R&B and pop, and influences from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.

He has toured with Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey, and has worked alongside Bob Dylan and Lauryn Hill, among others. Olarewaju is the leader of the Riversongz collective, with whom he has released five albums.