okyhaa hails from Shreveport, Louisiana, a city where the underground music scene is notably sparse. Unlike many places with vibrant underground movements, Shreveport’s music landscape tends to lean heavily towards Street music and Drill. In this environment, okyhaa’s sound stands out as distinctly different, particularly given his roots.
When asked about his main goal in his music career, okyhaa offers a candid and introspective response: he doesn’t have a defined goal at the moment. Instead, he’s choosing to go with the flow. He views the future as shaped by every decision he makes, which makes it difficult for him to pinpoint a specific direction or aspiration just yet.
Reflecting on the music industry at large, okyhaa expresses a desire for a fundamental shift in mindset. “If I could change one thing about the music industry, honestly, I would change the way people think,” he says. He critiques the current landscape as being “so small-minded,” where success is largely measured by streaming numbers. “Everyone thinks streams determine how good a person’s music is, and that is not the case.” He points out how this focus on metrics has led to a “number-washed” culture, where listeners and industry gatekeepers alike hesitate to engage with artists who don’t meet certain numerical standards. This pressure, he notes, has contributed to widespread practices like using bots on social media accounts, as artists strive to artificially boost their visibility. okyhaa’s perspective offers a compelling critique of the music industry’s current priorities, emphasizing the need to look beyond surface metrics and appreciate the artistry itself—especially from places like Shreveport, where authentic underground voices are rare but vital.