By Jennifer K. Morita

July 17, 2026

Sacramento State alumnus Matthew Osivwemu ‘17 (Mass Communications) — aka Oke McFly — is a hustler in the best sense of the word. 

An alternative hip-hop artist, Oke grew up selling household goods at a flea market with his parents and seven siblings. When he was a student at Sac State, he worked the campus like it was another swap meet, handing out his CDs during class. 

These days, he channels the same work ethic and drive to promote his music, landing a distribution deal with United Masters, magazine spreads in Hypebeast or GQ South Africa, and  touring with artists like Too Short. 

But on the side, he earns a living as a substitute teacher and poetry coach to Sacramento’s youth. 

“I always told myself that eventually I want to be able to give back because I remember being that kid coming to school with the same clothes and being teased for nothing this or that,” Oke said. “ 

Born and raised in Oakland, Oke lived with his siblings — including twin brother Luke — and his parents. His mom was a homemaker, while his father, a Nigerian immigrant, drove a taxi and ran a stall at the Oakland Flea Market. 

“We ran our own Dollar Tree market,” Oke said. “My father taught me how to be an entrepreneur, how to be a hustler, and how to move. He was an immigrant, so it was hard on him. He had to work multiple jobs, do multiple things. He didn’t have a college education, but my dad was really intelligent. He was really on top of business type stuff.” 

When he was in the eighth grade, Oke started skipping school and acting up in class, so he moved in with his 21 year-old brother, Anthony, who had a music studio set up in his apartment in Napa. There, Oke leaned into his love for making music and writing lyrics. He formed a rap group and learned how to record and mix CDs that he’d hand out to anyone who’d take them. 

“We won my eighth-grade talent show, and I’m like, ‘Okay. This is something I can see myself doing.’” 

In high school, Oke played football, basketball, and ran on the track team. He spent weekends visiting family in Oakland, a trek that took five bus trips.  

Oke was a senior when his father was diagnosed with cancer. 

“He passed away like a week before I graduated,” Oke said. “But my dad knew I was going to Sac State because I told him the day I found out I was accepted.” 

Oke changed his artist name to Oke Junior, later Oke McFly, as a tribute to his father. 

“It’s a Nigerian Yoruba name, and it means ‘higher up’ like to rise above,” Oke said. 

Although Oke and his siblings grew up poor, wearing the same clothes to school every day, their home was full of music and prayer. And his parents instilled the importance of work and education. 

“My parents were always like, ‘Y’all need to go to college,’” he said. 

Oke’s oldest brother and sister went to UC Davis. Two more siblings attended Cal State East Bay. 

But he wanted to be different. 

“I had never visited Sacramento. I just looked up videos. I loved the way the campus looked and the atmosphere. Plus, y’all had the Kings,” Oke said. 

He lived in Draper Hall his first year balancing classes with bus trips to Oakland to work in the studio with legendary Bay Area hip-hop artists Too Short and Mistah F.A.B. 

Each semester, he’d go to the front of his class and introduce himself before giving out his latest CD. 

“One of my favorite professors, Andrew Stoner, was really thrilled. He was talking about it the next day in class,” Oke said. 

Even after graduating in 2017, Oke still balances music with real life. 

He worked with A&R executive Sickamore in Brooklyn to release his fifth album “The Revamp” and signed a distribution deal with United Masters. 

Oke is constantly on the move, whether it’s touring with Too Short, performing at BottleRock in Napa, or attending the Grammys with his fiance as a voting member of the Los Angeles Grammy chapter. 

“I got to see Kehlani, one of my favorite artists, and see Olivia Dean perform. I’d never seen her perform live, and I knew she was going to win Best New Artist because I’m like, yeah, she’s on fire,” he said. 

“It was inspiring to be there. I want to at least get nominated one day. Winning would be a plus, but to get nominated, that’d be super cool.” 

When he is home in Sacramento, he takes on substitute teaching jobs at Sacramento area schools. He works with the Yolo Arts Poetry Out Loud program and the Roberts Family Development Center teaching kids about writing and poetry. 

“A lot of them are dealing with a lot of trauma, so I teach them different writing skills as a way to alleviate stress and express how they’re feeling,” Oke said. “That’s the beauty of writing and all art. It’s a way to express yourself and use it to cope with whatever you’re going through. 

Eventually, Oke hopes to go back to school and get his teaching credential. 

“I remember having certain teachers growing up that really pushed me to be great,” Oke said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them, so I understand the impact and the influence they can have.”