In Spring 2025, Kevin Olusola visited with the Howard University Showtime Band for a Lunch & Learn about the music industry. Following the event, Assistant Dean Denise Saunders Thompson of the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts presented the band director, Chancellor Mills,  with the idea of working with the Sony Music artist on his lead single, which was an exciting prospect on its own. But it was the message of the song that really won him over.  

“He’s younger and he’s vibrant, and the music is clean and positive,” said Mills. “In the song, (even though he’s talking about breakup) even in tragedy you can find a little bit of comic relief, so to speak. It’s not the end of the world. People come and go, things happen, some relationships just weren’t meant to last, but to hear him sing about in such a way, it made me feel like this is something we could be involved in.” 

For Mills, a lifelong music educator shaped by Southern University’s band culture and a calling to teach, the experience connected generations of musicians through shared language and purpose. His own journey — from building high school programs in Louisiana and Atlanta to leading Howard’s band — reflects a commitment to crafting opportunities for students, especially through real-world industry experiences. 

What was meant to be a 45-minute conversation about his practical experience as an industry professional turned into an emotional two hours of fellowship about music, academia, and the Black experience. For his debut solo album, Olusola knew he wanted to work with students, and this experience solidified that Howard University was the right place for the collaboration. 

Olusola was born and raised in Kentucky by a Nigerian father and Grenadian mother and formally trained as a classical cellist. “Dawn of a Misfit” sees him celebrating all parts of his personal and musical identity by mixing hip-hop and classical music. 

“I had one student come up to me who hugged me and said, ‘You have no idea how seen I’ve felt by your art’. I knew from then that this wasn’t just going to be a one–time session; I wanted to build something with Howard.” 

The result was a professional recording session that showcased the full range of student musicianship. For Mills, the opportunity was not just about the music — it was a moment of visibility, legacy, and education. 

Why Howard? 

The student musicians at Howard University, while passionate about music, pursue excellence in all areas of their lives. They are serious about their studies and engaged in work related to mathematical theory, public policy, visual arts, and more. The diversity of thought present at Howard reflected an image of the Black experience that Olusola related to, which is why his chose the Mecca for this collaboration. Working with Black people, especially students, was central to Olusola’s album rollout for this very reason. He wanted to put Black excellence on display and expose his audience to the depth of talent in the Black community.  

Olusola’s favorite moment working with students was his in-studio session with the Howard University Concert Chorale and Showtime Band. While trying to figure out the right intro for his version of “Hallelujah,” written by George Frideric Handel, he told Mills that he wanted to experiment with some chanting, and the students more than delivered. Mills said, “Give him some of the HU chants,” and the students put down their instruments and started dancing and chanting. “I took my phone out immediately and started recording all of it,” Olusola said. “This was the type of experience I wanted, and they gave it to me on blast. That was the type of energy that we needed to make this piece feel more than just a musical partnership. It made it feel like a cultural moment.” 

“As a student participant with Kevin and Sony, I experienced what it takes to be in the limelight as an artist,” said Jada Smith, HU ’26, Captain of the Flashy Flag team. “My favorite part of the process when filming the video was collaborating with the choir and his team because to me it built a sense of community. Even when the sun was blazing, Sony and Kevin made sure we were still getting hyped, they made sure we were well taken care of like we were on the same team.” 

Mills believes the collaboration with Olusola is only the beginning. The experience opened students’ eyes to the inner workings of studio recording and professional music production, showing them that their talents can take them far beyond the marching field. As the Showtime Band continues to solidify its place among elite collegiate programs, Mills envisions growth not just for the band but for Howard’s entire music department. With rising student pride and a legacy of excellence, the next era of Showtime is already being composed. 

“I think Kevin brought his charisma and a different sound to the HU Showtime Marching band,” said Smith. “When we were recording, he got along so well with everyone he was working with. He made sure everyone felt comfortable, got to know each person and their background, as well as making us all laugh together. Taking these completely different components and being able to work them together, it truly takes a magical person to think outside of the box like that. We need more sound like that in the world. Something different and uplifting!” 

Olusola is also looking forward to further collaboration with Howard students. “Howard is the pinnacle of Black excellence,” he said. “I cherished the opportunity to showcase the beauty, liberation, Black freedom, and joy that all of us have and be completely unapologetic about it.”