As a young boy growing up in Port Harcourt, Braye found solace in the sweet ecstasy of music. “I’ve kinda always sung,” the singer and songwriter says about his relationship with music. “Since I was a kid. Then, when I was about 13, I started writing songs and arranging them into verses and choruses, creating full songs. Since then, I’ve listened to a lot of music and written a lot too.”
While music has remained a constant, his life has always been in a state of flux. At age 15, he moved to Accra to study at Regent University while trying to find himself as a young adult. Importantly, being in Ghana provided much-needed conviction to chase his music dreams. In Accra’s creative community, he also started to hone his skills: making acquaintances with acts like Kwesi Arthur and Kayso and recording demos that didn’t quite see the light of day.
Following a return to Nigeria in 2018, Braye has spent considerable time sharpening his music while navigating a move from his Port Harcourt base to the chaotic frenzy of Lagos. It’s a transition that has been taken in stride while reflecting on years of experience that have led him to be one of the most exciting up-and-coming acts in Nigeria. His reflections find expression on his debut project, ‘I Wish I Had More Time,’ a quaint four-song collection of dreamy jazz-influenced songs that examine the tenuous nature of human connections and the scope of ambition. Keeping up with the fluid elegance that he stepped out with on “Bossa Nova” and “Painless Melody,” the songs on ‘I Wish I Had More Time’ are delicate vignettes that take inspiration from jazz, neo-soul, and texturised reggae.
Following the release of ‘I Wish I Had More Time,’ we had a chat with Braye about his career, changes, and what inspires him.
You came from Port Harcourt to Lagos. How did you navigate that move, and what convinced you to make the move?
Since I was like 14, I’ve just always felt that music was the thing I knew how to do best. So I kept on doing it. People convinced me to record my songs, but I didn’t feel any purpose behind it until 2022. I was getting there, slowly finding my purpose with music, until I met Boj, and he convinced me to come. And I did. I moved from PH to Abuja, and in the same year, I moved to Lagos.
Your music has a heavy jazz influence. Where does that come from?
I listen to quite a lot of jazz. I have a haphazard collection of jazz songs from different eras and styles. From Nat King Cole to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nina, Lee Morgan, Miles, Herbie Hancock, to Hugh Masakela, Fela. There’s quite a lot to be honest.
What’s your creative process like?
Sometimes I get ideas from nowhere, sometimes I get ideas from listening to music. Most times, I just freestyle haphazardly, then I take that freestyle and shape it into a song.
What’s the inspiration for I Wish I Had More Time?
The song was made in a 3-minute freestyle I did with Michael Brun, then I went back to the apartment I shared with DUKE where the full production was done. I believe the lyrics came from a place of regret and remorse. It was inspired by the complex nature of human connections, where love, emotional attachment, and desire transcend into a kind of war for survival.
How does it feel to have your debut project out?
It feels great, I’m so grateful. Doing music is a privilege. I’m excited that I am now about to go into the next phase with my ideas. The fact that I hadn’t released this kept those other ideas locked somewhere, but now I’m finally free to begin preparations for more.
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super...
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrivebefore the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.” The Mavin popstar has been teasing...
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”