EP Review: Azanti Proves His Competence on Self-Titled Project
The Nigerian teenager glides over genres with both emotive and party cuts.
Last year, a 17-year-old Azanti, real name Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje, debuted on YP & Azanti, Vol. 1, his collaborative project with Nigerian rapper PsychoYP. Azanti’s efforts on the project marked him as a promising R&B fusion artiste and earned him a place in Apex Village, the Abuja-based collective and label co-founded by PsychoYP. In an interview with MoreBranches, Azanti, who shares his time between Nigeria and Canada, revealed that he started his career as a producer at age nine and began singing as a teen.
On his debut solo self-titled extended play, Azanti packs the songs with melodious vocals and heartfelt writing that bleeds into a pool of multi genres. There are no features: a deliberate effort to situate the singer—and his artistry—in the hearts of listeners. Producers such as Malik Bawa, Jaylon, Hvrry, ILLYTHAGREAT, Yung D3mz, Dr Fuse, 44DB and Big Fish provide Azanti with the soundscape that he expertly handles.
On “Dive,” Azanti plunges into a bittersweet recollection of a romance weighty with complications. On the hip-hop beat, Azanti makes his soulful R&B come alive as he sings of being ridden with guilt about hurting a lover and yet still craving her affection. On “Latan,” Azanti is smitten by his lover and proclaims the feelings that she elicits in him.
Sensual matters arise on “Underwater” as Azanti questions a love interest about her reluctance to ditch her lover and let him into her life. “You been out here moving side to side with another man/When I can make your body rotate in ways,” he sings. Even though he reveals that the woman in question might only be interested in designer wear, Azanti doesn’t seem to care; he has his mind fixed on the physical connection he can engineer with her.
On “Time Difference,” Azanti laments about the deceit brewing in a long-distance relationship. He wants the connection to grow but try as he may, the lies keep widening the gap between him and his lover. His complaints continue to rise on “Kimberly” as he points an accusing finger at the aforementioned lady for only wanting him because of the material things she can get from him. “I feel like I’m just there for your Instagram/All we do is pose for the camera/Maybe we should just to talk some more/But you’re always asking me for more,” he sings. Frustrated, he reels out the qualities he fancies in a lover on “My Type of Woman.”
Azanti steps into afrobeats territory on “Sunmomi.” The production is upbeat and crackles with buoyant drums and percussion. Here, all he cares about is his lover moving closer to him on the dancefloor. “Necessary” is also an up-tempo track coloured with amapiano drums. It rounds off the project and highlights Azanti’s versatility to croon ballads soaked in sadness and still be a fun seeker.
In the current Nigerian music scene where teenagers with clear talent and the unmissable knack to turn songs into hits are crowned superstars (Think Rema and Ayra Starr), Azanti will not feel out of place. With the Azanti EP, he demonstrates that his singing and songwriting abilities are top tier and his name will be mentioned for years to come.
Go HERE to stream Azanti.
Read More
EP Review: Magixx’s Self-Titled Debut Is a Noteworthy Introduction
Album Review: Johnny Drille Seeks the Light on Before We Fall Asleep
EP Review: PsychoYP’s Euphoria Is Concerned with Both the Good & Bad Sides of Fame