Afrobeats Upstart Azanti Releases Debut Album, ‘Heart Parts & Nostalgia’

19-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Azanti has released his anticipated new album, Heart Parts & Nostalgia. The album comes shortly after he was introduced to U.S. audiences over the summer with his premiere major label single and video (via Def Jam Recordings), Gettin’ Hot.

Offering listeners an infectious blend of R&B and Afropop, complete with his smooth vocals, catchy flow, and unique instrumentals, the 11 tracks on his debut album rattle the core of the genre, introducing playful energy, and a knack for off-kilter, but vibey melodies, that result from the fresh perspective he brings as one of Afrobeats’ youngest stars.

“Since I was young, music was all I’ve known,” says Azanti, who has grabbed the spotlight of the continent’s competitive Afro-pop industry with his unique, self-created fusion of R&B, hip-hop, AfroBeats, and trap soul.  “It’s only when I’m making music that everything goes away and I’m in my own world. Making music is very special and has a sacred community. Nothing else gives me the same peace of mind.”   

 Identified by some within the burgeoning Afrobeats scene as an artist to watch, the rising Nigerian-born artist (pegged as ‘boy wonder’) wants to shift the center of gravity of Afrobeats. Born in Ondo State, Nigeria, he absorbed various cultures through his family’s travels throughout the world. As a child of the Internet age, he encountered all sorts of music—from pop to R&B to rap—through YouTube. Soon he’d start making music of his own. He sent some early demos to local trap star PsychoYP, asking for advice, but a few emails later, he was the newest addition to YP’s Apex Village collective. They solidified the deal with 2020’s YP and Azanti, Vol. 1 joint EP.

Heart Parts & Nostalgia is the next step, and meant, in part, to encapsulate Azanti’s lifelong musical journey, as he hopes to never lose sight of his work ethic.

Give the album a listen: