Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix has shared that a life-changing moment during a Justin Timberlake concert pushed him to rethink his music career and creative identity, as detailed in his new book Designed to Succeed, co-written with life coach Donovan Dee Donnell.
He describes attending Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience World Tour in Amsterdam in 2013 while Pentatonix was already enjoying global success.
Despite their rising fame, Olusola admits he felt uncertain about his purpose as an artist during an exhausting tour across Europe.
He says he questioned why he was there and whether his role in the group was his only artistic contribution. The experience became a turning point after he attended the concert, which he later described as a creative revelation.
After the show, Olusola recalls being overwhelmed by inspiration, saying the performance energy changed how he viewed his own ambitions. He told his bandmates that he wanted to become more than a performer and instead fully embrace life as an artist.
The moment sparked discussion among the group, who laughed but recognized his growing passion for deeper creative expression. Olusola says he began questioning how to combine his classical cello training with modern genres like pop and electronic music.
He explains that the idea of creating a unique sound felt both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. He reflects that true purpose often appears as uncertainty before clarity, requiring trust and creative alignment.
He later says he asked deeper questions about what kind of music he was meant to create. Olusola concludes the experience shaped his artistic direction and encouraged him to explore a fusion of classical and contemporary sounds.
He says the concert reminded him that creativity requires courage, faith, and willingness to evolve. Olusola is now focused on building music that blends his diverse influences and personal experiences.
In Designed to Succeed, he shares how faith and reflection continue to guide his journey as an evolving artist seeking deeper meaning in his work. His story highlights how unexpected moments can reshape an artist’s path.
