Azanti is the stage name of Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje, a Canadian-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. He works within Africa’s genre-fluid new wave, blending Afropop, R&B, soul, Afrobeats, and trap-inspired textures into a single sound.
What Is Azanti’s Real Name and Date of Birth?
Azanti’s birth name is Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje. He was born on October 5, 2003, and is 22 years old as of 2026. He holds Nigerian nationality and currently resides in Canada.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje |
| Stage name | Azanti |
| Date of birth | October 5, 2003 |
| Origin | Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Base | Canada |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Labels | Apex Village, Def Jam Recordings |
| Genres | Afropop, R&B, soul, Afrobeats |
| Years active | 2021 to present |
Where Is Azanti From?
Azanti originally hails from Ondo State, Nigeria. His artistry was shaped by a childhood immersed in music, where he developed an instinctive ear for melody, storytelling, and production. He grew up in a musically inclined environment, which influenced his early exposure to different genres.
Some profiles list Abuja as a location tied to his upbringing, reflecting a household that absorbed multiple cultural influences through family travel. From an early age, he mimicked artists on records his mother played, which included Nigerian gospel and Afropop material.
How Did Azanti Start His Music Career?
Azanti began developing his craft from a young age, writing songs and creating beats before building a formal career. His passion for music led him to experiment with different sounds, blending Afropop, R&B, soul, and Afrobeats into an early signature style.
His influences include artists such as PartyNextDoor, Drake, Wizkid, Bryson Tiller, Travis Scott, Wande Coal, Chris Brown, Usher, and Chronixx. These references shaped a sound that merges US and UK R&B with Afro fusion elements.
- Developed songwriting and production skills during childhood
- Blended genres including Afropop, R&B, soul, and Afrobeats
- Released a self-titled debut EP, “AZANTI,” an eight-track project
His debut EP depicts his experiences as a Nigerian member of the Gen Z generation navigating the modern world.
What Is the YP & Azanti Project?
Azanti first gained widespread attention through his collaborative project “YP & Azanti, Vol. 1,” released alongside PsychoYP under the Apex Village collective. Standout tracks from the project, including “Focused” and “Caro,” helped establish his name within Nigeria’s alternative music scene.
This collaboration positioned Azanti within a defined creative collective before he pursued a solo trajectory, giving him an early platform inside Nigeria’s fast-rising alternative circuit.
How Did Azanti Get Signed to Def Jam Recordings?
Azanti’s growing momentum earned him recognition from BBC Music Introducing in Manchester. On October 16, 2021, DJ Roesh presented his single “Time Difference” on the program, extending his reach into international radio audiences.
Def Jam Recordings executive Tunji Balogun officially signed Azanti in 2022. This signing placed him under a major global label alongside his continued association with the Abuja-based Apex Village collective.
What Are Azanti’s Major Releases?
Azanti has expanded his catalogue through solo projects and guest features since his signing. His project “Heart Parts & Nostalgia” showcases his ability to balance vulnerable songwriting with immersive production. The album and its deluxe edition featured collaborations with artists including Odeal, The Cavemen, Adekunle Gold, Rowlene, and PsychoYP.
- Released the collaborative EP “YP & Azanti, Vol. 1” with PsychoYP
- Issued the solo project “Heart Parts & Nostalgia” with a deluxe edition
- Released tracks “Gettin’ Hot” and “late4dinner (Remix)”
- Featured on “Julie” alongside The Cavemen
- Contributed to Wydtm and TWiSS & TUrN as a featured artist
Records such as “Gettin’ Hot” and “late4dinner (Remix)” highlight his crossover appeal and sonic versatility across different audiences.
What Is Azanti’s Musical Style?
Azanti’s sound merges R&B, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, and Trap Soul into a cohesive style. His songwriting carries a poetic quality, and his production draws from both American R&B traditions and Afro fusion arrangements.
He maintains a consistent formula built on R&B songs with Afropop influence, while exploring additional soundscapes drawn from Trapsoul production techniques. His discography reflects a Gen Z perspective on identity, heartbreak, and cultural navigation.
What Is Azanti Known For Beyond Solo Music?
Azanti has built recognition behind the scenes in addition to his performing career. He secured writing credits for Mr Eazi and contributed vocals to Joeboy’s track “Police.” These credits demonstrate his standing as a songwriter within the wider Nigerian music industry, separate from his work as a performing artist.
His performance history includes an official showcase in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2022, marking his first live performance in the country after an extended period abroad.
What Is Azanti’s Legacy in Africa’s New Wave of Music?
Azanti represents a segment of young Nigerian artists building international careers through genre-blending sound and major-label backing. His trajectory, from a collaborative Apex Village project to a Def Jam Recordings signee, illustrates how emerging African artists now combine local collectives with global label infrastructure.
His catalogue, anchored by “Heart Parts & Nostalgia” and supported by writing and feature credits across the Nigerian industry, positions him among the artists shaping Africa’s genre-fluid new wave of music.