Braye Releases A New Debut EP Creating Momentum
Braye, the rising Nigerian artist ingeniously blending soul, reggae, jazz, and West, has arrived in the spotlight upon the release of his debut EP. The project comes shortly after the ever-swelling wave of attention on “Bossa Nova,” the breakout single.
Quiet momentum is certainly growing around him, a clear indication that Braye has been far from orthodox. Indeed, the Port-Harcourted son of Nigeria is a tale full of the hard struggle. His past is a snippet of homelessness, parental disapproval, and many other uncertainties. Still, he kept up with a dream few really understand. At one point, he was sleeping in a friend’s car, moving from place to place, but never lost sight of the music.
“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 recalls. “I feel like I’m meant to make music. I just wanted it too much not to take it seriously.”
Thus, that sense of conviction is palpable in his music. Drawing inspiration from greats like Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Sam Cooke, he kept the spirit of storytelling with a raw honesty in his tracks. His lyrical depth, shaped in part by a background in fiction writing, adds another dimension to his sound. Additionally, creating a blend of the timeless and the urgent.
Braye and Self-taught Sound
Though his sound feels lived-in and refined, Braye is largely self-taught. He learned to play guitar and piano through YouTube, sharpening his craft in digital spaces. Also, forming connections with producers via social media. Initially hesitant to share his music, he waited until he felt ready. Thus, that moment came when he started posting clips on Instagram—one of which landed in the feed of Nigerian alté trailblazer Boj. The co-sign proved to be a turning point, propelling Braye from an underground promise. Now, a name to watch in West Africa’s evolving music scene.
Now splitting his time between Nigeria and Ghana, Braye is charting his own path. His debut EP isn’t just a milestone—it’s a declaration. Each track is steeped in personal history and cultural heritage, but also signals a hunger for connection and catharsis.
“This is everything that I want to do,” he says. “This is what my life is tailored towards—just creating stuff that people can hold on to, that people can experience.”
With his debut, Braye proves that music isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. And he’s answering it, one soul-infused note at a time.
