Obongjayar
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Key Information
Steven Umoh, better known by his stage name Obongjayar, is a Nigerian singer based in London, England.[1] After releasing several EPs, his debut studio album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, was released in 2022, followed by Paradise Now in 2025.
Early life
[edit]Steven Umoh grew up in Calabar, Nigeria. He was raised by his grandmother; his mother had moved to the UK to escape Umoh's father, who was abusive. Early in his life, Umoh primarily listened to bootleg rap, particularly Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara.[2]
Umoh moved to live with his mother in England at the age of 17, but stayed active in the Nigerian music scene. He grew up a devoutly religious Christian, but became less so after he attended university in Norwich.[2] In college, he sang primarily in an American accent, influenced by his childhood spent listening to American hip hop music, but he reverted to singing in his natural Nigerian-British accent before embarking on his professional career.[3]
Career
[edit]Obongjayar started his career publishing his music on SoundCloud. His work caught the notice of XL Recordings executive Richard Russell, who then asked Obongjayar to contribute to his Everything Is Recorded project.[1] In 2016, Obongjayar released his first extended play, Home, described by Noisey as "a unique voice: one that navigates darkness with nocturnal, near-spiritual hymns."[3]
He followed Home with a second EP, Bassey, which was noted for its sparse production and afrobeat rhythms,[2] as well as its themes of spirituality, politics, and his experiences as a Black person.[3] He also contributed to Richard Russell's 2017 EP, Close But Not Quite.[2]
In 2019, Obongjayar featured on rapper Danny Brown's fifth studio album U Know What I'm Sayin? on the tracks "Belly of the Beast" and "uknowhatimsayin¿".[4]
In collaboration with afrobeat producer Sarz, Obongjayar released a third EP, Sweetness, in 2021.[5] He featured on rapper Little Simz's studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on the fourth single "Point and Kill", which was later accompanied by a music video.[6][7] Obongjayar also released the song and music video "Message in a Hammer", the lead single for his debut album.[8] Some Nights I Dream of Doors was released in May 2022 and was later nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award on the 18th May 2023.[9][10]
In 2023, Obongjayar collaborated with Fred Again on the single "Adore U". The song was certified Platinum in Australia and in the UK.[11][12]
Style
[edit]Obongjayar's music has been called "hard to describe,” incorporating elements of Indie electronic, spoken word, soul, and electronic music. His lyrics incorporate spiritual overtones, although they are not readily identifiable with any specific religious tradition.[2] A unifying feature of all of Obongjayar's music is his unique voice, which slides between rapping, singing, and spoken word.[1]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [13] | ||
| Some Nights I Dream of Doors |
|
— |
| Paradise Now |
|
— |
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bassey |
|
| Which Way Is Forward |
|
| Sweetness (with Sarz) |
|
- Home (2016)[3]
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [13] | ||||
| "Adore U" (with Fred Again) |
2023 | 4 | Ten Days | |
| "Just My Luck" / "Tomorrow Man"[17] | 2024 | — | Paradise Now | |
| "Not In Surrender"[18] | 2025 | — | ||
| "Jellyfish"[19] | — | |||
| "—" denotes release did not chart in that territory. | ||||
As a featured artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Poison" (Octavian featuring Take a Daytrip, Obongjayar & Santi)[20] |
2020 | Non-album single |
| "Point and Kill" (Little Simz featuring Obongjayar)[6] |
2021 | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert |
| "Flood" (Little Simz featuring Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly)[21] |
2025 | Lotus |
Guest appearances
[edit]| Title | Year | Other artists | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Gasoline"[22] | 2025 | None | F1 the Album |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Nembhard, Candice (July 11, 2018). "Nigerian-Born Obongjayar Represents the Changing Face of London's Sound". High Snobiety. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Ravens, Chal (January 20, 2018). "Get to Know Obongjayar, Who Makes Otherworldly Spirituals for the Modern Soul". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bassil, Ryan (September 14, 2017). "Obongjayar Will Make You See Beyond Your Ego". Noisey. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ uknowhatimsayin¿ by Danny Brown, retrieved December 14, 2019
- ^ a b "Sarz / Obongjayar: Sweetness EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "Little Simz gives Obongjayar collaboration "Point and Kill" an official release". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ "Little Simz and Obongjayar head to Nigeria for "Point And Kill" video". REVOLT. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ Listen to "Message in a Hammer" by Obongjayar, retrieved December 28, 2021
- ^ a b Ososami, Sona (May 17, 2022). "Obongjayar - Some Nights I Dream Of Doors". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Ophelia, Maya (April 18, 2023). "Nominations announced for The Ivors with Amazon Music 2023". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Fred Again – Adore U". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Obongjayar". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (April 2, 2025). "Obongjayar Announces New Album Paradise Now: Hear "Sweet Danger"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ "Which Way Is Forward by Obongjayar". Apple Music. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "British certifications – Fred Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 2, 2025. Type Fred Again in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (October 9, 2024). "Obongjayar – "Just My Luck" & "Tomorrow Man"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Wescott, Andrew (February 11, 2025). "Obongjayar returns with new single 'Not In Surrender'". Dork. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (May 14, 2025). "Obongjayar takes aim at politicians on new 'Paradise Now' single 'Jellyfish'". DIY. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (April 23, 2020). "Octavian and Obongjayar Share Video for New Song "Poison": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ^ Darville, Jordan (February 26, 2025). "Little Simz makes realness a life-or-death struggle on "Flood"". The Fader. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ^ Rahman, Abid (May 1, 2025). "'F1: The Album': Artist Lineup Revealed For Brad Pitt Racing Movie Soundtrack". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
External links
[edit]Obongjayar
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Upbringing in Nigeria
Steven Umoh, known professionally as Obongjayar, spent the majority of his childhood in Calabar, a port city in southeastern Nigeria's Cross River State.[10][4] From the age of four, he was raised by his grandmother in a household that included several uncles, following his mother's departure from Nigeria to escape domestic violence inflicted by his father.[11][12][13] Umoh has recalled being extremely shy during this formative period, with limited early engagement in performance or social activities.[10] His initial exposure to music was sparse and informal, primarily through bootleg cassette tapes of rap artists, which he encountered in Calabar's constrained environment where access to diverse recordings was not widespread.[4] This upbringing in a relatively isolated southern Nigerian enclave shaped his early worldview, distant from the urban cultural hubs of Lagos.[13]Relocation to the United Kingdom
Obongjayar, born Steven Umoren in Calabar, Nigeria, relocated to the United Kingdom at the age of 17 to join his mother, who had previously emigrated from Nigeria following an abusive relationship with his father.[14][4] His mother settled in a London suburb, initially in Ashford, Middlesex, where Obongjayar adapted to a new cultural environment marked by the challenges of immigration and family separation.[12][15] Upon arrival, he enrolled at Kingston College in London to continue his education, later transferring to Norwich University of the Arts at age 19, where he began exploring music more seriously.[16] The move exposed him to British society, contrasting sharply with his Nigerian upbringing, and prompted initial struggles with identity, including adopting accents to fit in and recording music that felt inauthentic.[17][4] Despite these difficulties, the relocation provided opportunities for personal growth and artistic development in a more supportive environment for his emerging interests.[1] The transition was not without familial tension, as Obongjayar chafed against expectations from relatives in the UK, reflecting broader experiences of diaspora adjustment for Nigerian immigrants navigating economic and social pressures.[1] By settling in London and later Norwich, he gained exposure to diverse musical influences that would shape his career, though the relocation underscored the trauma of leaving behind a hardscrabble childhood in Nigeria.[17][14]Musical career
Initial forays and EPs
Obongjayar's initial musical endeavors commenced with self-released tracks on SoundCloud, where he experimented with blending Nigerian influences, spoken-word elements, and electronic production.[18] This platform served as his entry point into the industry, allowing independent distribution before formal releases.[18] His debut extended play, Home, arrived on November 30, 2016, comprising five tracks that fused hip-hop, funk, soul, and poetic narration to evoke themes of displacement and identity.[19] The EP's raw, transcendent style, often likened to slam poetry set to music, established his signature approach of kinetic lyricism over minimalistic beats.[20] In 2017, Obongjayar followed with the Bassey EP, self-released on August 25, which continued exploring personal introspection through alternative R&B and Afrobeat-infused soundscapes.[21] Amid singles like "God's Own Children" that garnered recognition, including an Ivor Novello Award nomination, he built momentum with live performances and collaborations.[18] The 2020 EP Which Way Is Forward?, issued February 7 via September Recordings, marked a pivot toward more structured production while retaining experimental edges, featuring tracks that interrogated direction and resilience.[22] Preceding his debut album, the 2021 collaborative EP Sweetness with producer Sarz incorporated Nigerian pidgin and highlife rhythms, earning praise for its vibrant fusion and Grammy-adjacent production quality.[23] These releases collectively honed his artistry, transitioning from underground experimentation to wider acclaim through digital streaming and festival circuits.[24]Breakthrough with debut album
Obongjayar released his debut studio album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, on May 13, 2022, via September Recordings, marking his transition from extended plays to a full-length project spanning 12 tracks over 35 minutes.[25][26] The album was preceded by singles including "Try," shared alongside the announcement on February 3, 2022, and "Tinko Tinko (Don't Play Me for a Fool)," which highlighted his viewpoint of relational betrayal over upbeat production.[6][27] Features such as the collaboration with jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia on "Message in a Hammer" underscored the record's fusion of Afrobeat, soul, hip-hop, and electronic elements, drawing from the artist's Nigerian roots and London experiences.[6] Critics praised the album for its artistic coherence and emotional depth, with Loud and Quiet describing it as a "thorough, earnest and endlessly endearing" debut that captured Obongjayar's evolving sound.[28] Crack Magazine noted its role as a "tender confessional on self-discovery" backed by earworm hooks and textured production, while Clash highlighted the raw grit in his vocals amid polished arrangements.[29][30] Aggregators like Metacritic emphasized its showcase of diverse vocal range and wide influences, positioning it as a culmination of prior EPs and collaborations.[31] This reception solidified the album's status as a pivotal release, expanding Obongjayar's audience beyond niche acclaim from earlier works like features with Little Simz and Olamide. The project elevated Obongjayar's profile, establishing him as a critics' favorite for his boundary-pushing style and contributing to subsequent opportunities, including live performances and further recordings.[10] Native Mag lauded its "premium artistic virtues," crediting it with advancing his trajectory from SoundCloud origins to broader recognition in alternative R&B and Afrobeats spheres.[32] By weaving lucid dream imagery with themes of escape and identity—evident in the title track's lyrics about suffocation and liberation—the album demonstrated his maturation as a multidisciplinary artist.[33]Recent album and ongoing developments
Obongjayar's second studio album, Paradise Now, was released on May 30, 2025, via September Recordings, marking a follow-up to his 2022 debut Some Nights I Dream of Doors.[34][35] The album comprises 10 tracks, including "It's Time," "Life Ahead," "Peace in Your Head," "Holy Mountain," "Jellyfish," and "Talk Olympics," blending electronic, afrobeats, and experimental elements with introspective lyrics exploring themes of utopia, confrontation, and personal transformation.[34][36] Preceding the full release, singles such as "Sweet Danger" and "Jellyfish" were issued in early 2025, with the album announced on April 2, 2025.[37][38] In promotion of Paradise Now, Obongjayar performed on Later... with Jools Holland and delivered a Tiny Desk Concert, described by the artist as a "dream come true."[39][16] He also contributed to Little Simz's 2025 album Lotus and released the single "Gasoline" for the F1 film soundtrack.[7][40] An Autumn 2025 tour was announced alongside the album, extending his live performances across the UK.[37] As of October 2025, Obongjayar continued engaging with media, including a KCRW Live From Apogee session highlighting the album's contradictory tones of utopian optimism and raw confrontation.[41] In interviews, he discussed drawing from diverse inspirations for the record, emphasizing a shift toward present-focused songwriting amid personal and political reflections.[36][10] No further studio projects have been confirmed, though his output reflects sustained evolution in blending Nigerian roots with London-based production.[16]Musical style and artistry
Genre influences and production techniques
Obongjayar's music draws heavily from Afrobeat, particularly the style of Fela Kuti, which informs the rhythmic propulsion and social commentary in tracks like "Soldier Ant."[4][1][21] His early exposure to American hip-hop artists such as Nelly, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg shaped a foundational blend of rap cadences and electronic elements, evident in the genre-bending fusions on EPs like Bassey.[4][1] Additional influences include jazz, funk, R&B, soul, blues, and rumba, creating a diverse sonic palette that resists strict categorization, while West African rhythms and electronic synths provide kinetic energy across his discography.[21] In his 2025 album Paradise Now, these evolve toward a softer integration of Afrobeat with folk-like delicateness and alternative indie sensibilities, reflecting singer-songwriter introspection without rigid genre adherence.[42] His production techniques emphasize sparsity and rawness to evoke a haunted, introspective soul atmosphere, as seen in the looping pianos, hand drums, and scratchy guitar on the Bassey EP, which mirrors approaches by artists like James Blake.[4] Obongjayar favors unpolished arrangements that prioritize vocal freedom over predictable polish, often structuring tracks architecturally through meticulous editing to maintain propulsion and emotional depth.[4][21] Collaborations with producers such as Sarz incorporate electronic textures and Afrobeat foundations, as in the Sweetness EP's "Gone Girl," blending synthetic elements with organic rhythms for a layered, identity-exploring sound.[1][21] This method extends to live performances, featuring 1980s-inspired synth bass and clanging cymbals to heighten the genre-defiant intensity.[12]Lyrical themes and vocal approach
Obongjayar's lyrics frequently explore personal introspection, including themes of family, relationships, the passage of time, faith, self-discovery, and vulnerability, often drawing from his experiences as a Nigerian immigrant in the UK.[10] In his 2025 album Paradise Now, he translates these personal perspectives into universal appeals, emphasizing present-moment paradise over distant ideals, as seen in tracks reflecting broken relationships and new connections.[14] Earlier works like the 2022 album Some Nights I Dream of Doors delve into love, grief, acceptance, home, and belonging, while confronting demons and dreams amid spiritual undertones.[43] [44] Political urgency recurs as a core motif, with Obongjayar expressing anger toward the British government and systemic issues like police brutality, exemplified by "Message in a Hammer" (2020), which references the Lekki toll gate massacre in Nigeria.[10] [14] Songs such as "Jellyfish" critique political spinelessness, particularly in contexts like Israel-Palestine, blending rebellion and anti-establishment views with calls for hope and possibility.[10] [45] His approach prioritizes emotional resonance over didacticism, using music to amplify doors to new realities while addressing loneliness, failure, and black identity struggles like racism.[23] [4] Obongjayar employs a highly versatile vocal approach, shifting between a gravelly croak for urgency, an airy falsetto for delicacy, and rasping deliveries rooted in his Nigerian accent, often contrasting with his spoken British inflection.[14] [46] This chameleonic style incorporates rapper's bravado and wordplay alongside soulful or grating tones, enabling dynamic transitions within tracks to heighten emotional impact—such as soulful pleas evolving into abrasive spiritual invocations.[14] [21] In Some Nights I Dream of Doors, his voice serves as a multifaceted tool, adapting across genres to underscore romantic tension or meditative spirituality without relying on guest vocalists.[46] This evolution from early rap-infused EPs to fuller singing reflects a search for authentic self-expression, blending Afrobeat rhythms with electronic and soul elements for a haunting, otherworldly quality.[4]Discography
Studio albums
Obongjayar has released two studio albums to date, both via the independent label September Recordings.| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Some Nights I Dream of Doors | May 13, 2022 | September Recordings[9][47] |
| Paradise Now | May 30, 2025 | September Recordings[34][48] |
Extended plays
Obongjayar's initial extended play, Home, was self-released on November 30, 2016, comprising five tracks that blend spoken word with electronic and soul elements.[19][49] His follow-up, Bassey, arrived on August 25, 2017, also self-released, with four tracks exploring abstract hip hop and neo-soul influences.[50][51] Which Way Is Forward?, issued February 7, 2020, via September Recordings, expanded to twelve tracks incorporating global collaborators and genres like downtempo, electronic, and soul.[52][53] In collaboration with Nigerian producer Sarz, the four-track Sweetness followed on July 23, 2021, emphasizing Afrobeats production and romantic themes across 13 minutes.[54][55]| Title | Release date | Label | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | November 30, 2016 | Self-released | 5 |
| Bassey | August 25, 2017 | Self-released | 4 |
| Which Way Is Forward? | February 7, 2020 | September Recordings | 12 |
| Sweetness (with Sarz) | July 23, 2021 | — | 4 |