Laolu Senbanjo, better known to the world as Laolu NYC, is a Nigerian-born artist, musician, and former human rights lawyer who has carved out a unique space at the intersection of African heritage and global pop culture. He’s best known for his bold, geometric body art and for painting Beyoncé and her dancers for the visual album Lemonade in 2016.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Olaolu Isaac Senbanjo |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Kwara State (Yoruba heritage) |
| Partner | Married |
| Children | Two |
| Occupations | Visual Artist, Musician, Singer-Songwriter, Former Human Rights Attorney |
| Label | Siembra (founded July 2024) |
| Net Worth | 1-2 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Laolu Isaac Senbanjo was born on October 19, 1980, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was a lawyer and his mother a nurse, and they pushed him toward a stable profession. Even so, Laolu showed an early talent for art and music, singing in his church choir and forming a school band.
He studied law at the University of Ilorin and graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2005. Though he considered dropping out to focus on art, he completed his degree under family pressure before eventually leaving the legal profession behind.
Career
After law school, Laolu worked for five years as a human rights lawyer, including time at Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission.
He traveled across the north advocating for women’s and children’s rights, but his heart remained with art. In 2010, he made the bold decision to quit his job and open the Laolu Senbanjo Art Gallery in Abuja.
In August 2013, he moved to Brooklyn, New York, to pursue art full-time. The early days were tough, galleries turned him down, money was tight, and he lived with his aunt while trying to break into the city’s competitive art scene. But he kept pushing, painting on everything from canvas to walls to human skin.
His big break came in 2016 when Beyoncé’s team commissioned him to create body art for Lemonade. The project catapulted him into the global spotlight, leading to partnerships with Nike, Bulgari, Belvedere, Equinox, Lladro, and TED.
His art has since been exhibited across the U.S., Europe, and Africa, and in 2017, he delivered a TED Talk titled The Sacred Art of the Ori.
Alongside his visual art, Laolu has built a music career that blends Afrobeat, soul, and electronic influences. In 2024, he released The Ori EP, featuring collaborations with DJ Tunez, Yemi Alade, and Seun Kuti.
The project was submitted for Grammy consideration, and in July 2024, he launched his own record label, Siembra, continuing to drop singles that showcase his versatility as a performer.
Personal Life
Laolu keeps his private life largely out of the spotlight. He’s a father of two, though he rarely shares details about his children. He lives in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn with his family and remains deeply connected to his Yoruba roots, often weaving traditional fabrics, patterns, and spiritual ideas into his work.
Net Worth
Laolu’s estimated net worth between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026. This range reflects income from his high-profile brand collaborations with companies like Nike and Bulgari, global art exhibitions, TED speaking fees, music releases, and his growing record label, Siembra.
Discography
EPs
- The Ori EP (2024) – 8 tracks featuring DJ Tunez, Yemi Alade, Seun Kuti, The Odditty, and Tribes
- Bloom EP (2023)
- All In Me (2018)
Selected Singles (2020–2026)
- If I Could (2026)
- Mascara (2025, 2026)
- Velvet Blooms (2025)
- Come To Me my Baby (2025)
- Try (2024)
- Creature of the Night (2024)
- You Don’t See Me (2024)
- Now I See (2023)
- Show & Prove (2020)
Label: Siembra (launched July 2024)
Awards and Recognition
- TED Fellow (2017) – Selected for his innovative fusion of art, culture, and activism
- TED Talk (2017) – The Sacred Art of the Ori, viewed globally
- Grammy Consideration (2024) – The Ori EP submitted for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Grammy Awards
- Global Brand Collaborations – Beyoncé (Lemonade), Nike, Bulgari, Belvedere, Equinox, Lladro, The Recording Academy
- Cultural Ambassador – Featured in Rolling Stone Africa, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Guardian NG, and more as a leading voice in contemporary African art
