Nigeria’s upcoming artist Braye to release debut EP on 30 May

The project follows the success of his recent single ‘Bossa Nova’, which showcases his flair for blending soul, reggae, jazz, and West African influences.

Braye has garnered attention for his songwriting and mesmerising performances. His unique sound and heartfelt expression caught the eye of genre-defining artist Boj, catapulting Braye into the spotlight after years of quietly crafting his style.

Born and raised in Port Harcourt, Braye’s path to music was anything but smooth. Struggling with homelessness and a lack of support from his family, he spent some nights sleeping in a friend’s car and endured constant uncertainty. Yet, his passion for music never wavered.

“Even with constant moving around, sleeping in a friend’s car some nights, and my dad not being too happy about my decision to pursue music, I just found a way,” Braye said. “I feel like I’m meant to make music. I just wanted it too much not to take it seriously.”

Braye’s musical influences include legends such as Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles. Their soulful legacies inspired his love for timeless composition and emotionally rich storytelling. A background in fiction writing also helped shape his honest and vulnerable lyrical style.

Much of Braye’s musical foundation was built online. He taught himself guitar and piano via YouTube and connected with producers through social media. Initially hesitant to share his work, he waited until he felt ready to be seen. That moment came when he began posting clips to Instagram, one of which caught the attention of Boj, setting in motion Braye’s rapid ascent within the Nigerian music landscape.

Now based between Nigeria and Ghana, Braye’s music is a fusion of his roots and experiences, echoing the sounds that raised him while carving out his own artistic identity.

“This is everything that I want to do,” he said. “This is what my life is tailored towards, just creating stuff that people can hold on to, that people can experience.”