Azanti Biography: Real Name, Age, Songs and Music Career

Azanti is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer known for blending Afropop, R&B, soul and contemporary African sounds. His music combines melodic vocals, personal storytelling and modern production, giving him a distinctive place in Nigeria’s alternative Afrobeats scene. He first attracted attention through his collaboration with rapper PsychoYP before developing a solo catalogue that introduced his sound to a wider audience.

Born Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje, Azanti grew up with a strong interest in music and began developing his recording and production skills while still young. His work with Apex Village, his connection with Def Jam Recordings and projects such as Heart Parts & Nostalgia have helped establish his reputation as a versatile young Nigerian artist.

Azanti Quick Facts

• Real name: Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje
• Stage name: Azanti
• Date of birth: October 5, 2003, as listed in some biographical records
• Age: 23 years old in 2026, if the reported birth date is accurate
• Place of origin: Ondo State, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Profession: Singer, songwriter and music producer
• Genres: Afropop, Afrobeats, R&B, soul and pop
• Record affiliations: Apex Village and Def Jam Recordings
• Popular songs: “Caro,” “Focused,” “Gettin’ Hot,” “Julie” and “Late4dinner”
• Notable projects: YP & Azanti, Vol. 1, Heart Parts & Nostalgia and Skyfall

Early Life and Background

Azanti was born Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje and comes from Ondo State, Nigeria. He developed an interest in music during childhood, growing up around different sounds that influenced his understanding of melody, rhythm and songwriting.

His early musical influences included Nigerian singers such as Tope Alabi, Wande Coal and Wizkid. He also developed an interest in international R&B and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Chris Brown, Drake, J. Cole and Kanye West.

These influences helped shape his approach to music. Rather than limiting himself to one genre, he explored different styles and gradually developed a sound that combines melodic African music with contemporary R&B and soul.

Azanti began recording music at about 13 years old. He also developed his production abilities and taught himself to play instruments including the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. These skills gave him greater control over his creative process and allowed him to contribute to different aspects of his recordings.

How Azanti Started His Music Career

Azanti began building his music career while still a teenager. His early recordings helped him connect with other young Nigerian artists, including PsychoYP, whose music and creative direction were closely associated with the emerging Apex Village collective.

Their connection developed into a musical partnership that produced YP & Azanti, Vol. 1, released in November 2020. The project introduced listeners to their combination of hip-hop, Afropop and R&B.

Songs such as “Focused” and “Caro” helped the two artists gain attention within Nigeria’s alternative music scene. Azanti’s smooth delivery and melodic approach complemented PsychoYP’s rap style, making the collaboration an important starting point for his professional career.

After completing secondary school, Azanti spent time in Angola, where he continued working on music. His recordings and growing relationship with PsychoYP eventually helped him become part of Apex Village, a collective associated with several emerging Nigerian artists.

Azanti’s Record Deal and Growing Recognition

Azanti’s early progress attracted attention beyond Nigeria. His song “Time Difference” received exposure through BBC Music Introducing in Manchester in 2021, giving him an opportunity to reach listeners outside the Nigerian music market.

In 2022, he secured a recording deal with Def Jam Recordings through music executive Tunji Balogun. The agreement marked an important development in his career, connecting his growing independent profile with an internationally recognised record label.

He subsequently released “Gettin’ Hot,” a single that showcased his ability to combine Afrobeats with dancehall and contemporary pop influences. Its colourful music video, filmed in Accra, Ghana, also helped introduce his personality and visual style to a broader audience.

His career has continued to develop through his association with Apex Village and his independent creative direction. Rather than relying entirely on collaborations, Azanti has steadily expanded his solo catalogue and explored different production styles.

Albums and Music Projects

Azanti’s discography reflects his development from a promising teenage vocalist into a more established singer, songwriter and producer.

YP & Azanti, Vol. 1 (2020)

His collaboration with PsychoYP was one of the earliest major projects in his career. Released in November 2020, the eight-track EP brought together elements of Afropop, R&B, trap and hip-hop.

“Focused” and “Caro” became important records from the project. They introduced listeners to Azanti’s melodic approach and established the creative partnership that would continue through later releases.

Heart Parts & Nostalgia (2022)

Azanti released his debut solo album, Heart Parts & Nostalgia, in November 2022. The project explored relationships, emotions and personal experiences through a combination of R&B, Afropop and contemporary pop production.

It demonstrated his ability to carry a project independently while maintaining the melodic qualities that attracted attention to his earlier collaborations.

The album later received a deluxe edition featuring additional contributions from artists including PsychoYP, Adekunle Gold, Rowlene, Odeal and The Cavemen. These collaborations expanded the project’s musical range and introduced Azanti to different audiences.

YP & Azanti, Vol. 2 (2024)

Azanti and PsychoYP continued their partnership with a second collaborative project in 2024. The release extended the musical relationship established by their first EP and reinforced their connection to Nigeria’s alternative Afrobeats and hip-hop community.

Their joint work remains an important part of Azanti’s career because it demonstrates how collaboration helped him develop his sound and reach listeners during his early years in the industry.

Skyfall (2025)

After taking a break from music to concentrate on his education, Azanti returned with Skyfall in 2025. The three-track project explored progressive pop, funk, disco and Amapiano influences.

The release demonstrated his interest in experimentation and his willingness to move beyond the sound associated with his earlier projects. It also marked another stage in his development as an artist who values musical variety.

Popular Songs by Azanti

Azanti’s music catalogue includes solo recordings and collaborations that highlight his vocal style and songwriting.

Some of his notable songs include:

• “Caro”: One of his early breakthrough records, released with PsychoYP. It helped introduce his melodic style to a growing Nigerian audience.
• “Focused”: Another standout from YP & Azanti, Vol. 1, combining melodic vocals with contemporary hip-hop production.
• “Gettin’ Hot”: A solo release that blends Afrobeats, dancehall and pop influences.
• “Julie”: A collaboration with The Cavemen that brings together his contemporary sound and the duo’s highlife-inspired musical approach.
• “Late4dinner”: A popular recording that received additional attention through a remix featuring Adekunle Gold.
• “Time Difference”: An early solo release that received exposure through BBC Music Introducing in Manchester.
• “Pressure”: A recording associated with his Heart Parts & Nostalgia project and his international studio collaborations.

These songs illustrate his ability to move between intimate R&B melodies, Afropop rhythms and more experimental arrangements.

Collaborations and Songwriting Contributions

Collaboration has played an important role in Azanti’s development. His partnership with PsychoYP remains one of the most significant relationships in his catalogue, but he has also worked with established Nigerian and international artists.

His extended Heart Parts & Nostalgia project featured contributions from Adekunle Gold, Rowlene, Odeal and The Cavemen. These appearances brought different vocal styles and musical influences into his work.

Azanti has also contributed behind the scenes. He earned songwriting credits connected to Mr Eazi’s music and provided backing vocals for Joeboy’s song “Police.” These contributions demonstrate that his work extends beyond performing his own recordings.

His production skills also distinguish him from artists who focus exclusively on singing. His understanding of instruments, arrangements and beat-making allows him to participate in the creative development of his music.

Musical Style and Influences

Azanti’s sound draws from several musical traditions. R&B and soul influence his vocal delivery, while Afropop and Afrobeats provide much of the rhythmic foundation of his recordings.

He has also explored dancehall, hip-hop, funk, disco and Amapiano. His willingness to experiment gives his projects different musical identities rather than forcing every release into one recognisable formula.

Storytelling is another important part of his approach. He has explained that many of his songs draw from personal experiences and observations. This interest in writing about real situations gives his music an emotional quality that complements his melodic style.

Conclusion

Azanti has built his music career through a combination of early collaborations, solo projects, songwriting and production. His partnership with PsychoYP introduced him to a growing audience, while Heart Parts & Nostalgia and Skyfall demonstrated his ability to develop an individual musical identity.

With experience working across Afropop, R&B, soul and other contemporary sounds, he represents a generation of Nigerian artists exploring new directions in African music. His continued development as a singer, songwriter and producer remains central to his artistic journey.