Obongjayar (Steven Umoh) is a pivotal figure in the contemporary Nigerian-British diaspora, bridging the gap between traditional West African rhythms and the experimental electronic scenes of London. Born in Calabar and relocated to the UK at 17, his career arc represents a journey from imitating American hip-hop to finding a singular, localized voice that embraces his heritage.
His sound identity is defined by a 'hard to describe' fusion of neo-soul, indie electronic, and spoken word, anchored by a vocal style that is texturally rich and emotionally versatile. Critically, he is lauded for his refusal to fit into the 'Afrobeats' box, instead opting for a more avant-garde, minimalist approach that prioritizes atmosphere and spiritual inquiry. His influence web connects him to the 'Everything Is Recorded' collective and peers like Little Simz, positioning him as a key architect of the modern UK alternative soul sound. His work is characterized by a high degree of artistic intentionality, often eschewing commercial trends for a sound that feels timeless and deeply rooted in personal truth.
Shares art pop, voice_as_instrument, neo-soul, falsetto (signature)
Shares neo-soul, art pop, falsetto, bedroom_production (subgenre)
Shares spirituality, voice_as_instrument, neo-soul, soulful (signature)
Shares art pop, voice_as_instrument, falsetto, bedroom_production (signature)
Shares neo-soul, art pop, soulful, bedroom_production (subgenre)
Shares art pop, neo-soul, falsetto, contemporary r&b (signature)
Shares voice_as_instrument, neo-soul, art pop, falsetto (signature)
Shares art pop, neo-soul, contemporary r&b, noise_textured (signature)
Shares voice_as_instrument, neo-soul, art pop, falsetto (signature)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →