Bukola has always had an incurable obsession with turning words into worlds.
Her journey into music began at the age of 9, sparked by the discovery of Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” video. Determined to make her own sound, she saved up $75 to buy a guitar from Toys R Us and diligently taught herself to play right-handed, despite being left-handed. In high school, she fell in love with jazz, immersing herself in its history and rhythms, a discovery that would shape her velvety vocal style and her blend of jazz and R&B arrangements.
Since then, her music has reached wide audiences. Her song “Fight For Me” appeared on the second season of Netflix’s “Ginny & Georgia”, and “White Wedding” on the soundtrack of THE PRINCESS. She’s performed at local venues, Toronto’s El Mocambo, and sang the national anthem BC Place in front of 14,000 people. She is also one of the recipients of the 2024 SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Awards.
Her dedication to her craft eventually led her to Music BC’s ARC program in 2024, an intensive accelerator designed to equip emerging artists with the tools, mentorship, and industry insight needed to build sustainable careers. Through ARC, Bukola refined her artistry, worked closely with music producers, managers, and creative directors, and put her learnings into practice in front of both local audiences and an international delegation during a multi-day showcase.
Bukola’s second EP, The Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly, was released in early 2025. Told through the frame of a fictitious radio show, the record is a coming-of-age retelling from the perspective of a twentysomething Nigerian Canadian from the suburbs. Personal and introspective, it reflects Bukola’s artistry, drive, and ability to turn her own experiences into vivid musical worlds. We got the opportunity to speak with Bukola to learn more about her experience with ARC, the making of The Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly, and her evolution as an artist.
Bukola at Commodore Ballroom. Image credit: Paulo Santana.
An Interview with Bukola
What drew you to apply for the ARC program, and how did it align with where you were in your artistic journey at the time?
I’m always looking for ways to elevate myself and my career, and the ARC program provided the perfect space to do just that! The opportunity to participate in the program couldn’t have come at a better time. I was at the beginning of the rollout for my sophomore EP, “The Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly”, and knew that I’d be able to apply all the concepts taught and discussed in real-time.
Do you have a favourite moment or experience from the program that you can share with us?
Hmmm, that’s a great question! I think my favourite moment from the program would have to be the showcase at the end. I got to play a bunch of songs from my new EP that I had not yet performed, and I was given so much creative liberty to create an interactive live show for the audience. I also really loved the karaoke competition we had during the last night, haha. That was sooooo much fun.
How did the ARC community (whether mentors, peers, or others you connected with) help shape your understanding of your place in the industry?
The ARC community is literally just that — a wholesome and supportive community that feels so genuine and full of love. My conversations and interactions with everyone helped me to realize that — as cheesy as it may sound — we’re all in this together. I think sometimes, pursuing music can feel isolating and competitive. But being in ARC was such a beautiful reminder that music is collaborative and ultimately rooted in community. It was so sweet seeing people jump into other artists’ recording sessions to help play an instrument, offer some advice, or just to listen to the music. I myself had such a great time cheering on my friend (and super talented artisteeeee) AHSIA, during her photoshoot to make sure she felt super confident.
How has ARC influenced your growth as an artist or changed the way you approach your career?
The conversations with Brandon and Natasha in regard to branding and social media were really eye-opening for me. Learning about the level of intent that goes into creating a recognizable brand rooted in authenticity was so inspiring! I loved the suggestions we were given about steps we too could take to start honing our image and overall brand. Now, when I approach music videos, photoshoots, or any visual assets, I’m always thinking about how things align with my visual identity as an artist.
Congrats on the release of Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly! What themes or stories were you exploring through this project?
Thank you so much! That was such a fun project to work on, and I’m so glad it’s finally out in the worlddddd :) Throughout the EP, I wanted to explore themes related to coming-of-age insecurities, specifically from my point of view as a young Nigerian-Canadian woman living in the suburbs. As a result, the EP talks about a wide range of topics from social awkwardness to unrequited love.
Bukola at Commodore Ballroom. Image credit: Paulo Santana.
What did the creative process for this EP look like? Did anything about it surprise or challenge you as it came together?
Oooo! I love this question. My creative process consisted of a lotttt of rumination. It took 3 years to ideate and execute the idea, so I had a lot of time to think about things and figure out the best way to go about doing things. This time around, I thought more about my sound as an artist, the kind of stories I wanted to tell, what I wanted my live shows to look like… I also spent more time listening to some of my favourite albums and really trying to learn from their creative processes and decisions. The result? A 7-song concept record that takes the format of a fictitious radio show called 101.6 Hogan’s Alley FM. In terms of any surprises during the process, I would say how generous and kind people are with their time. There are so many dream collaborations I had with this project, and at the beginning, I was really scared to reach out because I thought people wouldn’t be interested. But people were so nice! From collaborating with my producers, Baca & Brandn (whom I’ve been a huge fan of since I was 16), to the absolute legenddddd Nardwuar, I learned to just take a leap and ask. The worst people can say is no!
Was there a particular song that felt like the heart of the EP for you?
Yes! I would say “Antisocial Butterfly” would definitely be the heart of the EP. I wrote it with my really good friend (and all-around queen) Desirée Dawson a little while back. That song was the iteration of a song I’d been trying to write for years, and it perfectly encapsulates how I feel about myself and where I’m at. It feels like the perfect introductory song as well — a gateway for my audience to learn more about me, and hopefully hear some of their stories reflected in the lyrics and melodies as well.
When the EP ends and someone sits with it, what emotional space do you hope you’ve created for them?
I would say some kind of warm introspection. I hope that they’re able to reflect on their coming-of-age insecurities and journeys without feeling weighed down. I hope that the songs and the interludes offer a sort of blanket in which they can wrap themselves and feel a sense of comfort. Growing up is hardddd haha, but I think something that makes it a bit easier is knowing that you’re not the only one going through things, and I hope this EP reinforces that.
What’s next on your horizon that you’re excited to share?
I’m excited to put more music out! I’ve been experimenting with new sounds and writing new songs that I’m sooooo excited to share with everyone. I’m also always perfecting my chocolate chip cookie recipe, haha, so if you’re reading this, and you’re in the Lower Mainland, you’ve got to come out to one of my shows soon because I like to give out homemade cookies :)
Learn more about Bukola on her website, listen to Confessions of an Antisocial Butterfly on Spotify, and stay tuned for updates on her Instagram page.
Learn more about the ARC program at arcprogrambc.com and discover the 2025 cohort on the BC Creates site.
Cover image credit: Paulo Santana.
