919 Spotlight: AZANTI

OCTOBER 4, 2022

This month’s 919 Spotlight is on Azanti, an 18 year old musical prodigy. Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje (Azanti) is a singer, songwriter and producer from Nigeria. His R&B fusion with Afro pop sound takes inspiration from artists such as Wizkid, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Davido and Drake. He was discovered by PsychoYP at a young age after reaching out to him via email for feedback on his music. PsychoYP saw his talent and brought him into Apex Village, an Abuja based hip hop collective composed of creatives in all areas. They then went on to release a joint EP “YP & Azanti Vol.1”. 

Much like VREDE, Azanti values his African roots, taking inspiration from the Swahili word “Asante'' which means “Thank you” he and a childhood friend came up with the moniker AZANTI. He started producing music around the age of 9 and after discovering he also had a talent for singing he took up recording at 14. His Debut EP “AZANTI'' explores tropes of love and lust, relationships, mistrust, and heartbreak through different sounds that affirm his versatility. Currently in Canada finishing school, Azanti’s befitting rise to fame and recent US debut under Def Jam Records with the single “Gettin’ Hot” definitely marks him as an artist to keep an eye on.