Steven Umoh, better known by his stage name Obongjayar, is a Nigerian singer based in London, England.[1] After releasing several EPs, his debut studio album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, was released in 2022.
Obongjayar | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Steven Umoh |
| Born | October 16, 1992 Calabar, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Labels | September Recordings |
Early life
editSteven Umoh grew up in Calabar, Nigeria. He was raised by his grandmother; his mother had moved to the UK to escape Umoh's father, who was abusive. Early in his life, Umoh primarily listened to bootleg rap, particularly Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara.[2]
Umoh moved to live with his mother in England at the age of 17, but stayed active in the Nigerian music scene. He grew up a devoutly religious Christian, but became less so after he attended university in Norwich.[2] In college, he sang primarily in an American accent, influenced by his childhood spent listening to American hip hop music, but he transitioned to singing in his natural Nigerian-British accent before embarking on his professional career.[3]
Career
editObongjayar started his career publishing his music on SoundCloud. His work caught the notice of XL Recordings executive Richard Russell, who then asked Obongjayar to contribute to his Everything Is Recorded project.[1] In 2016, Obongjayar released his first extended play, Home, described by Noisey as "a unique voice: one that navigates darkness with nocturnal, near-spiritual hymns."[3]
He followed Home with a second EP, Bassey, which was noted for its sparse production and afrobeat rhythms,[2] as well as its themes of spirituality, politics, and his experiences as a Black person.[3] He also contributed to Richard Russell's 2017 EP, Close But Not Quite.[2]
In 2019, Obongjayar featured on rapper Danny Brown's fifth studio album U Know What I'm Sayin? on the tracks "Belly of the Beast" and "uknowhatimsayin¿".[4]
In collaboration with afrobeat producer Sarz, Obongjayar released a third EP, Sweetness, in 2021.[5] He featured on rapper Little Simz's studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on the fourth single "Point and Kill", which was later accompanied by a music video.[6][7] Obongjayar also released the song and music video "Message in a Hammer", the lead single for his debut album.[8] Some Nights I Dream of Doors was released in May 2022 and was later nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award on the 18th May 2023.[9][10]
In 2023, Obongjayar collaborated with Fred Again on the single "Adore U". The song was certified Platinum in Australia and in the UK.[11][12]
Style
editObongjayar's music has been called "hard to describe,” incorporating elements of afrobeat, spoken word, soul, and electronic music. His lyrics incorporate spiritual overtones, although they are not readily identifiable with any specific religious tradition.[2] A unifying feature of all of Obongjayar's music is his unique voice, which slides between rapping, singing, and spoken word.[1]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [13] | ||
| Some Nights I Dream of Doors |
|
38 |
| Paradise Now |
|
To be released |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bassey |
|
| Which Way Is Forward |
|
| Sweetness (with Sarz) |
|
- Home (2016)[3]
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [13] | ||||
| "Adore U" (with Fred Again) |
2023 | 4 | Ten Days | |
| "Just My Luck" / "Tomorrow Man"[17] | 2024 | — | Paradise Now | |
| "Not In Surrender"[18] | 2025 | — | ||
| "—" denotes release did not chart in that territory. | ||||
As a featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Poison" (Octavian featuring Take a Daytrip, Obongjayar & Santi)[19] |
2020 | Non-album single |
| "Point and Kill" (Little Simz featuring Obongjayar)[6] |
2021 | Sometimes I Might Be Introvert |
| "Flood" (Little Simz featuring Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly)[20] |
2025 | Lotus |
References
edit- ^ a b c Nembhard, Candice (July 11, 2018). "Nigerian-Born Obongjayar Represents the Changing Face of London's Sound". High Snobiety. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Ravens, Chal (January 20, 2018). "Get to Know Obongjayar, Who Makes Otherworldly Spirituals for the Modern Soul". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bassil, Ryan (September 14, 2017). "Obongjayar Will Make You See Beyond Your Ego". Noisey. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ uknowhatimsayin¿ by Danny Brown, retrieved December 14, 2019
- ^ a b "Sarz / Obongjayar: Sweetness EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "Little Simz gives Obongjayar collaboration "Point and Kill" an official release". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ "Little Simz and Obongjayar head to Nigeria for "Point And Kill" video". REVOLT. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ Listen to "Message in a Hammer" by Obongjayar, retrieved December 28, 2021
- ^ a b Ososami, Sona (May 17, 2022). "Obongjayar - Some Nights I Dream Of Doors". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Ophelia, Maya (April 18, 2023). "Nominations announced for The Ivors with Amazon Music 2023". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Fred Again – Adore U". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Obongjayar". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (April 2, 2025). "Obongjayar Announces New Album Paradise Now: Hear "Sweet Danger"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ "Which Way Is Forward by Obongjayar". Apple Music. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "British certifications – Fred Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 2, 2025. Type Fred Again in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (October 9, 2024). "Obongjayar – "Just My Luck" & "Tomorrow Man"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Wescott, Andrew (February 11, 2025). "Obongjayar returns with new single 'Not In Surrender'". Dork. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (April 23, 2020). "Octavian and Obongjayar Share Video for New Song "Poison": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ^ Darville, Jordan (February 26, 2025). "Little Simz makes realness a life-or-death struggle on "Flood"". The Fader. Retrieved April 4, 2025.