Azanti
Azanti | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje |
| Origin | Nigerian |
| Genres | Afropop |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels |
|
Azanti (born: Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje), is a UK-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer, signed to Apex Village,[1] and Def Jam Recordings.[2][3] He came into the music scene with a collaborative eponymous extended play titled YP and Azanti, Vol. 1 with PsychoYP, released by the music collective Apex Village. The project lead tracks include "Focus", and "Caro".
Early Life
Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje hails from Ondo State, Nigeria.[4]
Career
On 16 October 2021, DJ Roesh presented Azanti new single "Time Difference" on BBC Music Introducing in Manchester.[5]
In 2022, Tunji Balogun signed Azanti to Def Jam Recordings. Shortly after signing with Def Jam Recordings, he made his first US debut with "Gettin' Hot"[6] off his studio album Heart Parts & Nostalgia, with guest appearances from Odeal, and The Cavemen..[7] In 2023, PsychoYP made his signing to Apex Village official.[1] Azanti tells MoreBranches author Nasir Ahmed Achile, “I wasn’t trying to connect with Apex. I just wanted to send an email to YP to get proper feedback on my music. Which led to us making music together”.[1]
Azanti has earned writing credit for Mr Eazi, and vocal credit on Joeboy’s "Police" record.[8]
Artistry
On 18 November 2022, Office Magazine called his music a blend of R&B and Afrobeats rhythms with a touch of trap soul.[4] In 2023, Azanti tells Guardian Life Magazine multimedia journalist Chinonso Ihekire, when asked about his music influence. He said: “Musically, Greg. Greg is a very good story teller; I look up to him. It is Chris Brown when it comes to melodies. I’m also into a lot of rap artistes. Like a lot of storytellers, Jcole, Kanye West. Now, I’m listening to more rap. I have been listening to melodies all my life; from Tope Alabi to Wizkid, to Wande Coal. So, all my life I have been listening to melodies. But in the past year or two, I have been more into rap, old rap. Kanye, Drake, Jcole, people that tell intricate stories, I just find it very interesting. And I try to figure out how I can put that and make my own”.
Discography
- Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Heart Parts & Nostalgia |
|
- EPs
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| YP and Azanti, Vol. 1 |
|
| Azanti |
|
References
- ^ a b c "#GetToKnow: Apex Village's Latest Signee Azanti Who is Poised to Take the Charts by Storm". MoreBranches. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Omotoso, Idris (12 August 2022). "Teenage Sensation Azanti Unveils 'Gettin' Hot' Visuals Via Def Jam Recordings —". Soundcity. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Azanti". Def Jam. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ a b Zanes, Anna (18 November 2022). "AfroPop's Rising Star". Office Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "BBC Radio Manchester - BBC Music Introducing in Manchester, 16/10/2021". BBC. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Staff, Wonderland (9 August 2022). "Azanti Makes His US Debut With New Single "Gettin' Hot"". Wonderland. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Ideozu, Thelma (18 November 2022). "Afrobeats Upstart Azanti Releases Debut Album, 'Heart Parts & Nostalgia'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (23 September 2023). "Azanti… Afrobeats' Boy Wonder". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 28 September 2023.