Nigerian-British pop group SHiiKANE sits down for an exclusive interview with Dom Alonge to talk about their journey as sisters in music — from creating genre-blending sounds in the UK, to navigating the challenges of the Afro-pop industry as a female group. They reflect on personal loss, creative differences, their breakout single ‘Loke’, and what fans can expect from their evolving sound and upcoming projects.
“Afropop fits us perfectly because it covers all genres like Rock, RnB, and Reggae, all of which we have elements of in our music,” award-winning Nigerian-British pop group, ShiiKANE, described their genre of music as Afropop as opposed to the very famous Afrobeat. To them, Afropop better captures the eclectic nature of their sound.
Shiikane is a music group made of three sisters – twins, Shay and Annamay, and their younger sister, Kay. Though they were born and raised in South London, their roots trace back to Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria. Since officially forming in 2009, the trio has built a reputation for genre-defying sounds and bold visuals, releasing several hit singles, including Oga Police, Loke, and SugarKANE, and collaborating with artists such as Oritsefemi, Orezi, and Stonebwoy. Over the years, they’ve received multiple award nominations, including at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, and have picked up several wins along the way.
One thing about growing up in a house that appreciates good music is that it teaches you what good music is about. Their love for music started early. “Our home was always filled with music,” they recall. “It’s had a huge impact on the way we approach creating our projects. We come to the studio and write with an open mind.”
From playing instruments in primary school — Shay and Annamay on drums and guitar, Kay on the flute — to singing in school and church choirs, their musical roots run deep. On weekends, their father’s record player spun everything from Motown to Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, Phil Collins, and Sunny Ade — a diverse soundscape that would later shape their identity as artists.
Creating music in the UK, though exciting, hasn’t been without its own set of hurdles. As Nigerian women in a Western market, the sisters have had to work twice as hard to carve out their space. Annamay reflects, “Finding producers who understand our sound — that mix of Nigerian and European influence — can be tough.” But every once in a while, the right collaborator comes along. “One of the best producers we’ve worked with is P2J. He grew up just five minutes away from us, so he really understood us, not just musically, but culturally. He could interpret our ideas so well.”
Despite their tight-knit bond, working together as siblings hasn’t always been without its challenges. While many admire their harmony on stage, behind the scenes, the creative process can get heated. “We agree on a lot of things, but we also disagree a lot, too!” Kay admits with a laugh. “We’re three different people, so naturally we won’t always get along. But we have two fundamental rules that keep us grounded.
First, we promised our mom before she passed that we would stick together and release music as SHiiKANE. And second, the majority rules. If two agree, the third has to fall in line.” It’s a simple yet powerful code that has helped the sisters stay united through the highs and lows of their musical journey.
As independent artists, SHiiKANE wears many hats — creatives, strategists, and businesswomen — a balancing act that isn’t always easy in an industry often dominated by male solo acts. “There’s a formula the industry likes to stick to, and a female-led band isn’t part of that formula — especially not in African music,” says Annamay. “We’ve had people doubt us simply because they don’t understand the concept. But we believe our uniqueness is our strength.”
One of the biggest testaments to their staying power is Loke, a fan favorite that has continued to resonate years after its initial release. Originally produced by Masterkraft, the track recently got a fresh reimagining on their new EP, Shards of Eden. “We were in a place of happiness and gratitude when we wrote it,” Kay shares. “After everything we’d gone through — losing our mom, losing our aunt — we just wanted to celebrate being alive. The new version reflects our growth and sound evolution.”
Their EP Shards of Eden marks a defining moment in SHiiKANE’s journey — a moment of reinvention, vulnerability, and creative freedom. More than just a collection of songs, it’s a deeply personal offering, both to longtime fans and to a new generation of listeners.
“This project was an opportunity to reintroduce ourselves,” Shay says. “We wanted our current fans to hear our growth and new fans to understand the layers in our sound. Shards of Eden shows a different side to African music — one that’s not always loud or fast, but still powerful and rooted in emotion.” With its live instrumentation, emotional depth, and rich storytelling, the EP peels back the polished surface, letting listeners into their world — raw and unfiltered.
Their choice to label their sound as Afropop, rather than Afrobeats, is not just semantics — it’s intentional. “We’ve never really felt comfortable being boxed in as Afrobeat artists,” Shay explains. “Afrobeats has become a catch-all term for anything African, and that just doesn’t do justice to what’s happening sonically. What we do blends Afropop, R&B, rock, and even reggae. We’re not trying to fit into a genre — we’re trying to express what’s real to us.”
That intentionality is also reflected in their future plans. While Shards of Eden was created as a self-contained body of work, it’s just the beginning of a broader vision. More music is on the way — and so are collaborations. “We’ll definitely be working with more artists on our next project,” Annamay teases. “We’re not limiting ourselves to Nigerian artists either. We want to work with creatives from everywhere. Our sound is global, and our vision is too.”
Still, they have a deep respect for the current wave of Nigerian stars making waves internationally. “We admire artists like Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Tems, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema,” says Shay. “But we’d also love to collaborate with artists like GoodGirl LA, Shallipopi, Odumodu Blvck, or Fave.”
For SHiiKANE, the journey is far from over. With a renewed sense of purpose and a sound that continues to evolve, the sisters are embracing the next chapter with fearless energy and deep gratitude.
“Stream our latest EP, Shards of Eden, and sign up for our newsletter via our website,” Kay says. “We’re bringing a new wave of Nigerian pop music, and trust me, SHiiKANE is here to shake things up.”
Beyond the music, their message is clear: stay true, stay grounded, and never stop creating. Whether through heartbreak or joy, unity or disagreement, their bond remains unshakable — not just as artists, but as sisters.
In a world that often tries to define artists before they can define themselves, SHiiKANE is proving that there’s power in writing your own story. And this, it seems, is only the beginning.
