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Azanti (born: Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje), is a UK-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer, signed to Apex Village, and Def Jam Recordings. 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 "Focused", and "Caro".

Early life

Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje hails from Ondo State, Nigeria.

Career

On 16 October 2021, DJ Roesh presented Azanti new single "Time Difference" on BBC Music Introducing in Manchester. 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" off his studio album Heart Parts & Nostalgia, with guest appearances from Odeal, and The Cavemen. In 2023, PsychoYP made his signing to Apex Village official. The music video for "Gettin’ Hot", was shot in Accra, and directed by Cindy Ihua.

Azanti told 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”. On 20 July 2023, he released a deluxe version of Heart Parts & Nostalgia with guest appearance including PsychoYP, Adekunle Gold, and Rowlene. On 31 July 2023, Billboard magazine listed "late4dinner (Remix)" featuring Adekunle Gold as one of the Afrobeats Fresh Picks of July, off Heart Parts & Nostalgia deluxe album.

In 2022, Sarz announced Azanti as the winner of the #FreeSarz Freestyle Challenge. Azanti has earned writing credit for Mr Eazi, and vocal credit on Joeboy’s "Police" record.

Artistry

On 18 November 2022, Office Magazine called his music a blend of R&B and Afrobeats rhythms with a touch of trap soul. In 2023, Azanti told 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

EPs

References

1. ^ "#GetToKnow: Apex Village's Latest Signee Azanti Who is Poised to Take the Charts by Storm". MoreBranches. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
2. Omotoso, Idris (12 August 2022). "Teenage Sensation Azanti Unveils 'Gettin' Hot' Visuals Via Def Jam Recordings —". Soundcity. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
3. "Azanti". Def Jam. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
4. Alake, Motolani (14 November 2020). "Psycho YP and Azanti present their chemistry on 'YP & Azanti Vol. 1' [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
5. "Watch PsychoYP & Azanti in the Fresh Visuals for "Caro"". MoreBranches. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
6. ^ Zanes, Anna (18 November 2022). "AfroPop's Rising Star". Office Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
7. "BBC Radio Manchester - BBC Music Introducing in Manchester, 16/10/2021". BBC. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
8. Staff, Wonderland (9 August 2022). "Azanti Makes His US Debut With New Single "Gettin' Hot"". Wonderland. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
9. Ideozu, Thelma (18 November 2022). "Afrobeats Upstart Azanti Releases Debut Album, 'Heart Parts & Nostalgia'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
10. "Azanti - Gettin' Hot (Official Video)". WORDPLAY. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
11. Mamo, Heran; Rys, Dan (31 July 2023). "Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month: Spinall & Wizkid, Adekunle Gold, Tyla & More". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
12. staff, goodynaija (9 January 2022). "Sarz Announces The Winner of His #FreeSarz Freestyle Challenge | SEE DETAILS". GoodyNaija. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
13. Nigeria, Guardian (23 September 2023). "Azanti… Afrobeats' Boy Wonder". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
14. "Vanguards of the new wave: Five African teen artists to know". London Daily News. 17 July 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.

• Living people
• 21st-century Nigerian male singers
• English-language singers from Nigeria
• Nigerian singers
• Nigerian contemporary R&B singers
• 2003 births