Azanti
{{notability|1=Biographies|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Azanti
| background = solo_singer
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name = Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje
| alias = Azanti
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2003|10|05}}
| birth_place = Nigeria
| origin = Nigerian
| genre = {{hlist|Afropop|R&BSoul|Pop|Afrobeats}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2021–present
| associated_acts = {{hlist|PsychoYP|Adekunle Gold|Joeboy|Mr Eazi}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.azantimusic.com|www.azantimusic.com}}
| label = {{hlist|Apex Village|Def Jam}}
| instrument =
}}
Azanti (born: Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje), is a Canadian-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer, signed to Apex Village,{{cite web |title=#GetToKnow: Apex Village's Latest Signee Azanti Who is Poised to Take the Charts by Storm |url=https://www.morebranches.com/gettoknow-apex-villages-latest-signee-azanti-who-is-poised-to-take-the-charts-by-storm/ |website=MoreBranches |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=13 November 2020}} and Def Jam Recordings.{{cite web |last1=Omotoso |first1=Idris |title=Teenage Sensation Azanti Unveils 'Gettin' Hot' Visuals Via Def Jam Recordings — |url=https://soundcity.tv/teenage-sensation-azanti-unveils-gettin-hot-visuals-via-def-jam-recordings/ |website=Soundcity |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=12 August 2022}}{{cite web |title=Azanti |url=https://www.defjam.com/artists/#/ |website=Def Jam |access-date=28 September 2023}} He came into the music scene with a collaborative eponymous extended play titled YP and Azanti, Vol. 1{{cite web |last1=Alake |first1=Motolani |title=Psycho YP and Azanti present their chemistry on 'YP & Azanti Vol. 1' [EP Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/psycho-yp-and-azanti-yp-and-azanti-vol-1-ep-review/9683kyy |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=28 September 2023 |language=en |date=14 November 2020}} with PsychoYP, released by the music collective Apex Village. The project lead tracks include "Focused", and "Caro".{{cite web |title=Watch PsychoYP & Azanti in the Fresh Visuals for "Caro" |url=https://www.morebranches.com/watch-psychoyp-azanti-in-the-fresh-visuals-for-caro/ |website=MoreBranches |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=12 March 2021}}
Early life
Nathan Ayomikun Otekalu-Aje hails from Ondo State, Nigeria.{{cite web |last1=Zanes |first1=Anna |title=AfroPop's Rising Star |url=http://officemagazine.net/afropops-rising-star |website=Office Magazine |access-date=28 September 2023 |language=en |date=18 November 2022}} Most of childhood, he spent immersed in music, honing his craft as a singer, songwriter, and producer. He grew up in a musically inclined environment, which influenced his early exposure to different genres. His passion for music led him to experiment with various sounds, blending Afropop, R&B, soul, and Afrobeats.
From a young age, Azanti was dedicated to developing his skills, often writing songs and creating beats, which eventually set the foundation for his career. His collaborative work, such as his EP with PsychoYP, reflects the depth of his early experiences in exploring music production and collaboration.
Career
On 16 October 2021, DJ Roesh presented Azanti new single "Time Difference" on BBC Music Introducing in Manchester.{{cite web |title=BBC Radio Manchester - BBC Music Introducing in Manchester, 16/10/2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09xc12j |website=BBC |access-date=28 September 2023}} In 2022, Tunji Balogun signed Azanti to Def Jam Recordings. Shortly after signing with Def Jam Recordings, he made his first US debut with "Gettin' Hot"{{cite web |author=Wonderland Staff |title=Azanti Makes His US Debut With New Single "Gettin' Hot" |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2022/08/09/premiere-azanti-gettin-hot/ |website=Wonderland |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=9 August 2022}} off his studio album Heart Parts & Nostalgia, with guest appearances from Odeal, and The Cavemen.{{cite web |last1=Ideozu |first1=Thelma |title=Afrobeats Upstart Azanti Releases Debut Album, 'Heart Parts & Nostalgia' |url=https://culturecustodian.com/afrobeats-upstart-azanti-releases-debut-album-heart-parts-nostalgia/ |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=18 November 2022}} In 2023, PsychoYP made his signing to Apex Village official. The music video for "Gettin' Hot", was shot in Accra, and directed by Cindy Ihua.{{cite web |title=Azanti - Gettin' Hot (Official Video) |url=https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2022/8/9/azanti-gettin-hot-official-video |website=WORDPLAY |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=9 August 2022}}
Azanti told MoreBranches author Nasir Ahmed Achile, "I wasn't trying to connect with Apex. I just wanted to send an email to YP to get proper feedback on my music. Which led to us making music together". On 20 July 2023, he released a deluxe version of Heart Parts & Nostalgia with guest appearance including PsychoYP, Adekunle Gold, and Rowlene. On 31 July 2023, Billboard magazine listed "late4dinner (Remix)" featuring Adekunle Gold as one of the Afrobeats Fresh Picks of July, off Heart Parts & Nostalgia deluxe album.{{cite magazine |last1=Mamo |first1=Heran |last2=Rys |first2=Dan |title=Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month: Spinall & Wizkid, Adekunle Gold, Tyla & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-spinall-wizkid-azanti-adekunle-gold-odumodublvck-fireboy-dml-nasty-c-lil-kesh-fresh-picks-1235379122/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=31 July 2023}}
In 2022, Sarz announced Azanti as the winner of the #FreeSarz Freestyle Challenge.{{cite web |last1=staff |first1=goodynaija |title=Sarz Announces The Winner of His #FreeSarz Freestyle Challenge {{!}} SEE DETAILS |url=https://goodynaija.com/sarz-announces-the-winner-of-his-freesarz-freestyle-challenge-see-details/ |website=GoodyNaija |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=9 January 2022}} Azanti has earned writing credit for Mr Eazi, and vocal credit on Joeboy's "Police" record.{{cite web |last1=Nigeria |first1=Guardian |title=Azanti… Afrobeats' Boy Wonder |url=https://guardian.ng/life/azanti-afrobeats-boy-wonder/ |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=23 September 2023}}
Artistry
On 18 November 2022, Office Magazine called his music a blend of R&B and Afrobeats rhythms with a touch of trap soul. In 2023, Azanti told Guardian Life Magazine multimedia journalist Chinonso Ihekire, when asked about his music influence. He said: "Musically, Drake. Drake is a very good story teller; I look up to him. It is Chris Brown when it comes to melodies. I'm also into a lot of rap artistes. Like a lot of storytellers, Jcole, Kanye West. Now, I'm listening to more rap. I have been listening to melodies all my life; from Tope Alabi to Wizkid, to Wande Coal. So, all my life I have been listening to melodies. But in the past year or two, I have been more into rap, old rap. Kanye, Drake, Jcole, people that tell intricate stories, I just find it very interesting. And I try to figure out how I can put that and make my own".
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications |
| scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Album details |
|---|
| scope="row"|Heart Parts & Nostalgia
|
|
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Details |
| scope="row"| YP and Azanti, Vol. 1
(with. PsychoYP) |
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Azanti
|
|