Sly5thAve is the project of multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, and composer Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka
II. Layered with orchestral arrangements, jazz improvisation and Hip-Hop production, his third solo LP
‘Liberation’ is an accomplished record of courage, musical conviction, and growth. Trusting his inner voice and
personal taste, Sly5thAve found himself liberated from fear by the ease with which the original orchestrations
of ‘Liberation’ manifested themselves: “This record exploded out of me. I couldn’t write it fast enough. I ran
from it for so long but when I finally sat down to face it, to face myself and embrace who I am, I learned
something about my limits and what I was capable of. I realised that I couldn’t find the missing element from
my sound in other people or other artists. They couldn’t make it whole; they couldn’t make me whole.”
Known for his sophisticated compositions, Sly5thAve’s first experiences with large scale arranging were with
the Club Casa Chamber Orchestra and recording instrumental covers of popular modern songs. Notably, his
orchestral tribute to Dr. Dre, ‘The Invisible Man,’ garnered widespread praise and attention, even earning the
admiration of Dr. Dre himself. Through these recordings Sly5thAve felt he had found a way to make people
connect with orchestral music; “I’ve long felt orchestras around the world are inaccessible to most people –
whether it be the programming or the cost, or the location”