Sharifa Olateju
Sharifa Olateju, known artistically as Sharifa, is an emerging multidisciplinary British musician, producer, songwriter and DJ.
Originally from the East Midlands, Sharifa moved to London at the age of 16 to study music performance and production at The BRIT School, where he graduated with distinction. Since then, his work has grown across contemporary music production, live event curation, creative consulting and artist-led performance.
Sharifa’s sound blends a wide range of influences, bringing together elements of alternative rock, pop-punk, rap, contemporary R&B, grime, UK garage and Afro house.
His music is rooted in honesty and emotional expression, often exploring themes of self-discovery, personal struggle and turbulent relationships. Through genre-blending production and vulnerable songwriting, Sharifa creates work that feels both intimate and energetic.
Sharifa has quickly gained recognition within the UK creative sector through a number of high-profile development programmes, creative opportunities and funding awards.
In 2025, he was selected as a recipient of the MOBO Help Musicians Amplified Award, receiving business mentorship and financial support designed to help promising artists from underrepresented backgrounds develop their careers.
That same year, Sharifa was chosen as a creative mentee for SEEN Lewisham Festival, working in partnership with the award-winning theatre company Nouveau Riche. As part of the festival, he presented Sharifa: From The Sofa at the Broadway Theatre in Catford. The project transformed a bedroom-style set into an immersive gig-theatre experience, combining live bands, cinematic staging and personal storytelling.
In 2026, Sharifa secured a Waltham Forest “Make It Happen” Grant to deliver a youth-led music and creative skills programme in Chingford, East London. The project supports public pop-up live music sessions shaped and planned directly by local young people, creating opportunities for them to build confidence, develop creative skills and take part in live cultural activity.
Sharifa has also trained as part of the BBC Open Music Scheme, where he contributed soundscapes and created digital content for events including the BBC Proms at The Glasshouse.
Across music, performance and community-led projects, Sharifa continues to build a distinctive creative practice. His work brings together sound, storytelling and collaboration, with a focus on creating meaningful experiences for audiences and opportunities for young people.
