SANUMI “SUCCI” OSIFESO
Artists: Lojay, Asake
Lagos-based stylist Succi has had a busy few years dressing the new gen of male Afropop stars, like Ruger, CKay, Bella Shmurda and Sarz. But like many great creatives, his journey began close to home: with his older brother, Lojay, who was preparing to dominate airwaves with his Sarz-produced party banger, “Monalisa” (2021).
Musical allure aside, Lojay’s mainstream success was marked by a refined style sensibility. He’s been known to rock Nigerian luxury brands like TJWHO and Kenneth Ize, while the music video for Chris Brown’s “Sensational” featuring Lojay and Davido saw Lojay in pieces from Marni and Isabel Marant.
“Lojay’s sense of style is an extension of his music and a key component of his public persona,” explains Succi. “His music, which blends elements of Afrobeats, R&B and other genres, has a vibrant, edgy, and soulful quality so we try to reflect these characteristics through his wardrobe choices.”
In no small part due to his work with Lojay, Succi was already a sought-after fashion force when he received the call to co-style a music video for then-rising star (now cultural force) Asake, in 2022. This was the year Asake had exploded onto the scene with hits like “Sungba”, “Palazzo” and “Peace Be Unto You”, creating an expansive visual multiverse one TG Omori-directed music video at a time.
This multiverse extended far beyond Asake’s videos alone, with the star translating his larger-than-life persona into an avant-garde fashion aesthetic categorised by experimental fits from more edgy labels like Mowalola, Denim Tears and Vetements. While it was Raya Khaled who helmed this particular era of Asake’s style evolution, Succi has remained a go-to for video shoots, day-to-day engagements and special occasions, taking on the task of building on Asake’s existing style philosophy while introducing new ideas and elements to sustain his cutting edge dynamism.
“For Afrobeats stars, fashion isn’t just about looking good,” says Succi. “It’s about making a statement and leaving a lasting cultural impact that goes way beyond their songs. Asake has been embraced by the international fashion community because his look resonates with their emphasis on innovation and trendsetting while always staying true to yourself.”
