One artist we have heard dishing out the Afro-Global aesthetic in his sound is Azekel, the Nigerian British artist from East London, who seamlessly creates Afro sounds purely from his vocals, instrumental selection, and a blend of minimalist R&B elements in his songs—all while being a fashion icon.
It all started from his early formative years when his family moved to London. Experiencing both the cultural side of Nigeria and East London, he was influenced by a range of music, including Afrobeats and Nigerian superstars such as Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and many other vibrant artists showcasing the sound of Nigeria from its roots. On the other side, he also experienced the bubbling sound of London, from the growing electronic music scene, Grime, Hip-Hop, and Bhangra. All these influenced his relationship with music and sound.
His passion for music-making can be seen in his pursuit of studying music production at university, learning the fundamentals and the creativity of crafting sounds. This journey led to his love for soul and R&B, releasing songs like ‘The Flower Garden’ and ‘Soul Searching/Palme D’or,’ early releases that earned him co-signs from music legends Prince and Nile Rodgers, bringing him into the spotlight.
Azekel has a solid discography, including his project Analyze Love, which captures the sound of the heart and love, down to his recent EP SONIC INCENSE, featuring six vibrant, soulful Afro-melodic R&B tracks and themes of love, human relationships, and intimacy.
Azekel has also shared his music live with audiences, performing at shows such as Colors+Studios, Solo House, ART X LAGOS (2023), NTS x Paco Rabanne, Victoria & Albert Museum (2024), Live performance in Paris at Saint Laurent, Rive Droite Live Sessions, and supporting the legendary Erykah Badu at Southbank Centre in 2022. Azekel has also created original music for Off-White New York Runway Show, and his songs have been featured in TV series such as Grown-ish (Ep 3002, 4003), Disney Plus’s UnPrisoned (Season 2, Episode 6), Power (Season 4, Episode 3), Hermes S/S ’24, and more.
With his unique blend of Afro-Global sounds and minimalist R&B, Azekel continues to push the boundaries of music and art. His contributions to the music industry, coupled with his live performances and collaborations, showcase his versatility and commitment to his craft.
As Azekel’s journey unfolds, we can look forward to even more groundbreaking projects and performances that resonate with audiences worldwide.
