EKENE – Is Such A Talented & Exciting Nigerian R&B Phenom & You Will Hear It Clearly On His Debut Single ‘Lullaby’
Ekenedilichukwu Obiago, the fast-rising Nigerian singer better known as EKENE, is steadily carving out a space for himself in the music scene with his unique sound.
The 24-year-old approaches music as a way of documenting his truth. His work leans into memory, identity, and vulnerability, carried by a voice that conveys emotional depth.
For him, music is more than performance; it is documentation. Raised in Lagos on gospel music and cartoon jingles, he was shaped by early experiences in the choir and knew from a young age that music was a calling he could not ignore.
He grew into his artistry through experimentation, from high school rap groups to teaching himself guitar by recreating his favourite R&B songs.
“All those hours I put in were almost unintentional. It’s really interesting how passion and doing what you love can make learning feel so effortless,” he said.
He describes his creative process as a form of emotional excavation—a way to confront unresolved experiences and internal conflicts, not as isolated moments but as threads that continue to shape his identity and storytelling.
“I just want to create a lasting impact,” he said. “I want to use this as an outlet to lay myself bare, to connect with people across the world, and to leave something behind that endures.”
Self-described as a “religious recluse,” EKENE approaches his craft with intention and introspection. His music does not rush to resolve emotions; instead, it lingers in their complexity.
With his official debut single, ‘Lullaby’, released on May 1, EKENE introduces himself as an artist deeply invested in truth-telling.
Rooted in R&B and soul, the record is haunting and restrained, built on a slow, minimalist structure that allows his voice to carry the full emotional weight of the song.
Before this moment, EKENE had been steadily building his profile in the background, performing at platforms including Palmwine Festival in Lagos and London, while quietly refining his sound through independent releases on SoundCloud.
‘Lullaby’, however, has brought that journey into sharper focus. The song explores themes of memory, identity, and emotional distance.
Told from the perspective of someone who remains close enough to be remembered but is no longer held in the same way, ‘Lullaby’ exists in a delicate tension between presence and absence, familiarity and loss.
The track was developed with London-based, Grammy-nominated producer Tudor Monroe, whose sparse and deliberate production style gives the song room to breathe.
Engineering credits go to David Rotimi and Obinna, while Spax (Samuel Akano) handled the mixing, ensuring a polished yet intimate listening experience.
With ‘Lullaby’, EKENE offers more than just a debut; he presents an entry point into a deeply personal world—one where vulnerability is not a weakness but a language.
