Biography
Obongjayar, born Steven Umoh in Calabar, Nigeria, is a London-based singer and songwriter whose music bridges genres and cultures. Raised by his grandmother after his mother fled an abusive relationship, Umoh grew up immersed in bootleg American rap and gospel music, drawing early inspiration from artists like Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and Ciara. At 17, he moved to England to join his mother, maintaining ties to the Nigerian music scene while studying at university in Norwich. His formative years were marked by a devout Christian upbringing, which later evolved into a broader spiritual outlook that informs his work[1][5].
Obongjayar began his career by uploading tracks to SoundCloud, quickly attracting attention for his distinctive voice and genre-blending style. He was invited by XL Recordings executive Richard Russell to contribute to the 'Everything Is Recorded' project, leading to further collaborations and the release of his debut EP 'Home' in 2016. His subsequent EPs, including 'Bassey' and 'Sweetness' (with producer Sarz), showcased his fusion of afrobeat, soul, and alternative R&B, with lyrics exploring spirituality, identity, and politics. Obongjayar's debut album 'Some Nights I Dream of Doors' (2022) was critically acclaimed and nominated for the Ivor Novello Award for Best Album, followed by 'Paradise Now' in 2025[1][2][4].
Known for his energetic live performances and poetic songwriting, Obongjayar has become a sought-after collaborator in the UK and beyond, working with artists such as Little Simz, Danny Brown, Fred Again, and Pa Salieu. His music is characterized by its spiritual undertones, genre fluidity, and a powerful sense of authenticity, making him a leading figure in the alté movement and a unique voice in contemporary music[1][2][5].
Fun Facts
- Obongjayar's stage name combines 'Obong' (meaning king or God in his native language) and 'jayar' from his family nickname, symbolizing power and identity[5].
- He began performing by Googling open mic nights and singing a cappella to overcome his shyness, later busking and selling CDs to fund his music career[3].
- Obongjayar initially sang in an American accent due to his early influences, but switched to his natural Nigerian-British accent as he developed his own style[1].
- He won a prestigious Ivor Novello award for Best Song in 2021 for 'God's Own Children', co-written with Barney Lister[2].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Richard Russell - XL Recordings executive who recognized Obongjayar's talent and invited him to participate in the 'Everything Is Recorded' project, helping launch his professional career. (Everything Is Recorded (project), Close But Not Quite (EP)) [2016-2017]
Key Collaborators
- Little Simz - Featured Obongjayar on the single 'Point and Kill' and its music video. (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (album)) [2021]
- Sarz - Produced and co-released the collaborative EP 'Sweetness'. (Sweetness (EP)) [2021]
- Fred Again - Collaborated on the single 'Adore U', which achieved platinum certification. (Adore U (single)) [2023]
- Danny Brown - Featured Obongjayar on two tracks of his album. (U Know What I'm Sayin? (album), tracks 'Belly of the Beast' and 'uknowhatimsayin¿') [2019]
- Barney Lister - Co-writer on 'God's Own Children', which won an Ivor Novello award. (Which Way is Forward? (EP)) [2020]
Artists Influenced
- Alté Movement Artists - Obongjayar's genre-blending style and spiritual themes have inspired a new wave of Nigerian and UK alté musicians. (Various emerging alté projects) [2020s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| F1 The Album (Cinematic Edition) | 2025-06-26 | Album |
| F1 The Album | 2025-06-27 | Album |
| Paradise Now | 2025-05-30 | Album |
| Paradise Now | 2025-05-30 | Album |
| Tether | 2025-06-13 | Album |
| Some Nights I Dream of Doors | 2022-05-13 | Album |
| Nova Tunes 4.6 | 2024-04-24 | Album |
Top Tracks
- adore u
- adore u (ten days)
- Flood
- Point and Kill (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert)
- Holy Mountain (Paradise Now)
- Just My Luck
- Not In Surrender
- Talk Olympics (Paradise Now)
- Protein (Universal Credit)
- I Wish It Was Me (Some Nights I Dream of Doors)
External Links
Tags: #afrobeat, #afrobeats, #alternative
References
Heard on WWOZ
Obongjayar has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2025 | 00:54 | 4Ufrom Paradise Now & Forever | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 01:41 | Give Me Morefrom Give Me More - Single | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins |