Nigerian RnB has been in existence as far back as the 1950s, churning out music with soulful and calm melodies. Yet, it is not a very popular genre especially with the advent of afrobeats’ upbeat and high tempo which dominates the Nigerian music mainstream.
Regardless, this genre of music cannot be eroded totally as it still resonates with many till date. Just as many new artists stem up within the country, there are a select few who are taking the RnB genre to the next level and implementing new styles to make new sounds.
To this, we spotlighted five budding RnB artists to look into when you do not want to focus on “gbas gbos” music.
Senth
Senth is one interesting artist when it comes to the RnB space in the sense that his music is quite different from the regular Nigerian RnB that one would listen to. Born Ernest Nwokedi Felix, he began music proper in 2020 but was not really paid attention to till his signing in 2022 to YBNL record label where his music career began to grow beautifully.
Not to compare him with anyone, but listening to his songs can be likened to some top American songwriters. His current EP, ‘Wayy Saucy’ is a fantastic body of work, with songs like “Lucy”, “Deserve Better”, and “Good Morning”. His type of music is perfect to kickstart your day or long rides where you want to forget yourself.
Winny
Have you heard of the reggae and RnB music blend? That’s what Winny brings to the table. The artist merges topics of love, compassion, self-awareness and warmth to life in her music, making her music one to be inclined with. Primarily, she has amazing songs like her 2023 body of work “Winny”, and singles like “Don’t Leave” and “Pretty” are a must listen. Drawing inspiration from artists like Wizkid, Chris Brown, Chronixx and Kranium, one can already tell what her taste of music is like.
Twelve XII
Another artist with a soulful calm voice, soothing for the nerves is Twelve XII. Twelve is creating his own path in music and has created a niche for himself. Having worked with big names in the industry such as Tay Iwar and ShowDemCamp, the talented musician is well on his way to music prominence. Some of his gems include, “Naked”, “Sublime”, “Stay” and “Undercover Lover” ft. Tay Iwar. Twelve XII is definitely one of those artists to add to your RnB playlist.
Amaeya
Amaeya soared to musical stardom in 2021 on The Voice Nigeria. The talented singer and songwriter brings soothing melodies and modern style that brings a fresh perspective to her world of music.
In tracks like “Delusion,” Amaeya portrays the tale of a lovelorn girl trapped in her own fantasies, while “On My Own” paints a picture of heartbreak. With themes of love, loss, and self-discovery at the forefront, her music resonates deeply with listeners.
Amaeya’s unique blend of soul-stirring vocals and modernity sets her apart in the music industry. Her ability to infuse traditional themes with a contemporary twist captures audiences and leaves a lasting impression, solidifying her place as a rising star to watch.
Dayor
Having immersed himself with the entirety of music, he developed himself and created a sound suitable to just him with his sweet vocals. Dayor creates music for people to feel their emotions deeply on a cool vibration. After his first single “Fly Shit” was a big hit for the UK based singer, it has only been up for the artist since 2019. Other songs of his include,”High Life”, “Mood” and “Make It”.
Folajinmi
Folajinmi is a passionate wordsmith and imaginative storyteller who weaves worlds with her pen and explores the depths of trending topics to evoke the right emotions.
