Dynamic, grounded, and effortlessly in sync, Oiza x Meyi are proving that sisterhood can be a superpower. With roots in theatre, fashion, and music, the duo have built a creative world that feels both intentional and instinctive — one where soulful storytelling meets sleek style and genuine connection. From viral performances that showcased their unfiltered talent to sharing stages with icons, their rise has been driven by authenticity rather than spectacle.
Now, as Grant’s Whisky ambassadors and soon-to-be actors in Prime Video’s Say Who Die, Oiza and Meyi are entering a new era — one defined by collaboration, creativity, and the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from doing what you love, together.
This conversation has been edited for clarity
You grew up in a house where everyone could sing, even your mom (Eugenia Abu) whose career in media often placed her in the public eye. Did that make a career as performing artists feel inevitable for you, or was there ever a moment where you thought, maybe not? Did one of you have to convince the other?
It always felt like what we were meant to do. Maybe subconsciously because of our mom, but not everyone in the family works in media — some have regular jobs or run businesses. We always knew music and entertainment were our path, even if we didn’t know exactly how it would unfold. Of course, we still push each other along the way. In university, I had to nudge Meyi to join auditions and shows. Later, she convinced me to start posting on social media because she’s more outgoing. We balance each other — Meyi handles styling since she studied fashion, and I lean into performance. It’s always a team effort.
Oiza studied Theatre Arts at the university, while Meyi studied Textile and Fashion Design. What made you stick to your creative passions even as you progressed academically? Do you feel that studying these disciplines changed the way you think about music and performance, or has it always just been about instinct?
Our parents were the biggest influence. People tried to steer us toward “serious” careers like law because we were art students. When registering for JAMB, everyone around us picked Law, so we followed suit: Mass Comm for me, Law for Meyi.
But our mum had already asked what we truly wanted. I said Acting, Meyi said Fashion Design — dreams we’d had since primary school. When she returned from a trip and discovered our choices, she was furious. She even scolded our teachers for influencing our choices. On the drive home she said, “You are my children, and you will never be ordinary. Do not feel pressured to pick anything ordinary. Pick what you actually want.” We went back and changed our JAMB forms.
Both our parents are creative and open-minded — our dad even studied Theatre Arts — so leaning into the arts felt normal. If we struggled with schoolwork, they never blamed music or our creative pursuits. Our Dad would simply encourage us to do better and move on. The support was always there.
The short singing clips (with Meyi on guitar) you started posting on social media around 2020 really took off. I personally loved the IJGB song. Do you remember the first time you thought, wait, people are actually watching us? What did that moment mean for you?
We each had our own separate pages back then, and honestly, we had to play catch-up because we’d never really built that “posting online” habit. For people who seem outgoing, we’re actually pretty shy — it surprises people. Growing up, we were taught to keep our heads down to stay “socially acceptable,” so unless you really knew us, you’d have no idea we could sing.
The night we posted IJGB was so random, because that was only the third video we had posted on our account. We didn’t even plan it. Funny enough, we never used to dress alike — half the time Meyi would be put together and I’d look like I just rolled out of bed. But that day we just happened to both be dressed nicely, so we thought, “Let’s record something,” and went for it. Then we went to bed, and by the next morning, it had gone viral.
When people started calling our parents “Oiza and Meyi’s mum and dad,” that was when the reach of our videos hit us. Our dad came home one day laughing and saying, “After all these years of working, I’m now known as Oiza and Meyi’s father!” It made us so happy— and it felt like confirmation that this gift from God wasn’t meant to stay hidden. It really started to feel like a calling, like something we were meant to do.
You’ve opened for Wizkid, Asa, and Waje — heavyweights by any measure. What did sharing those stages teach you about who you are as performers?
You don’t really know yourself until you’re under pressure. Sharing those stages forced us to ask ourselves, “Do I have an ego? Can I handle being ignored or disrespected?”
Once, a sound engineer didn’t let us get on the stage until the organizers intervened, because we didn’t “look like performers”. We learned that talent is great, but how you show up matters. Early in our careers, people sometimes walked past us to greet our band because they looked more like “stars” than we did.
From Waje, we learned how to own a stage. Asa taught us punctuality; she’s always exactly on time. Now, we’d rather arrive early and call people out for being late as opposed to being the latecomers.
Now you’re stepping into this new role as Grant’s Whisky ambassadors. Was there something about Grant’s emphasis on togetherness that felt like it mirrored your story as sisters and collaborators?
Grant’s is an exceptional brand, but what truly resonated with us was the authenticity of the people behind the brand. Beyond the marketing message about togetherness, we witnessed that togetherness was genuinely reflected in every interaction. From initial conversations to ongoing collaborations, we’ve been met with warmth, professionalism, and genuine inclusivity.
As artists, authenticity is paramount to us. We believe that for any partnership to be meaningful and sustainable, particularly one involving brand representation, there must be alignment between stated values and lived practice. This alignment of values is what makes our partnership with Grant’s Whisky exciting and meaningful. It’s a relationship built on shared principles and mutual respect.
With Alternate Sounds and Mazi X Mxtreme already part of the Grant’s family, you’re in great company. How do you see yourselves adding to this mix of creatives who embody partnership and shared experiences?
We’re honestly honored to be part of such a talented collective. What we hope to add is a fresh lens on accessibility and relatability. A lot of times, when people hear “whisky,” they immediately picture boardrooms, older men with cigars, or really formal settings. We want to shift that perception. We want to show that whisky can also be lighthearted, fun, and very much a part of younger, diverse communities. We joke sometimes that we want to make whisky cute.
For us, it’s about creating an inclusive vibe — where premium doesn’t mean intimidating. Whether it’s a cozy hangout or a lively party, we want to show that sophistication and playfulness can go hand in hand.
Crew Nights are either big, buzzing Nights Out or Intimate Nights in. Which one feels more “Oiza x Meyi,” and how do you bring your own energy into either space?
We’re fortunate to be versatile performers who can adapt to different settings. That being said, intimate gatherings resonate most naturally with our artistic identity. Acoustic performances, meaningful conversations, and the kind of connection that happens in smaller settings — that’s where we feel most at home and where our music truly shines.
However, we’re equally enthusiastic about bringing our energy to larger, more dynamic events. Something is exciting about surprising audiences with different facets of who we are as performers. We want to challenge any preconceptions people might have about us. Whether it’s an understated acoustic session or a high-energy performance, our commitment remains the same: delivering authentic music that creates genuine connection. The setting may change, but the quality of experience we aim to provide doesn’t.
Eko and Santi are snapshots of Nigerian life. When you’re (song)writing, how much are you thinking about capturing culture and community, versus just telling your own stories?
It’s a mix. Sometimes it’s our own experiences; other times it’s stories we’ve heard. Santi came from a lecturer’s story about a thief named Santi, and later we learned “santi” in Hausa means something so sweet it makes you talk anyhow — we loved that.
Eko came from our move to Lagos — everyone warned us, “They’ll collect your phone, your eyes, your soul!” We wanted to sing about that leap of faith. Our songwriting is instinctual but rooted in culture and storytelling.
You’re about to debut in Say Who Die on Prime Video. Nollywood is a whole new lane. What pulled you toward acting at this point in your careers, and how does film let you show sides of yourselves music can’t?
Acting was a dream of mine (Oiza), which Meyi graciously explored with me. When the opportunity came, I begged her to do it with me. It became a side quest we shared. I had done a tiny role back in university, but nothing like this. Compared to music, acting is a new territory, but the director, crew, and cast were incredible. We would definitely do it again with that team.
With music, film, and now this Grant’s partnership, your world is expanding fast. What is the thread that ties it all together (what remains consistent in all your endeavours), and what should fans expect next?
We genuinely love what we do, and we love doing it together. Not everyone gets to work with their best friend on something they’re passionate about, so we don’t take that for granted. We’ve had to learn to treat it like real work because it barely feels like work most of the time. It’s been a beautiful journey, and we’re grateful for how it’s unfolding.
Next up is a new single, Bounce, dropping between October and November. We’ve already teased it on our page. Catch up with us performing at any of our brand–Grants whisky events and stay connected with us via our new Instagram handle, which is @oizaxmeyi, as our old Instagram got disabled.
