Upper Quintet is back — finally. After taking a break, the editorial series returns with a fresh lineup of rising artists you should definitely have on your radar. These aren’t just trending voices; they’re the kind of artists who grow on you with every listen. No gimmicks, just honest, thoughtful music.
For Week 2, we spotlight Shime Ahua, Lodù, King Jeff, Rcee, and Juno — five new acts bringing their own unique sound and story to the scene. Whether it’s soulful confessions, genre-bending melodies, or smooth emotional grooves, each artist on this list is doing something worth paying attention to.
Shime Ahua:
There’s a fragile kind of power in Shime Ahua’s music — soft, but defiant. The Nigerian indie pop and R&B artist pulls you into her world with velvet melodies and writing that feels like whispered journal entries. With tracks like “Hold On” and “Love Me,” she doesn’t just sing; she confesses. And in a scene that often favors theatrics, Shime’s quiet conviction rings louder than most.
Lodù:
Lodù is a mood board of Afrocentric soul and nostalgic pop, rendered in vocals that are at once intimate and cinematic. Whether she’s opening stages in Scotland or composing moments of sonic nostalgia in Lagos, her presence feels ancient and futuristic all at once. She’s not just making music — she’s bottling memory.
King Jeff:
Benue-born and genre-curious, King Jeff doesn’t wait for the mainstream to catch up. His sound dances around Afro-pop while keeping one foot firmly planted in folk storytelling. Songs like “Eli Jah” and “IGBG” showcase his ability to stretch truth across melodies, and his production work reveals a mind deeply in tune with musical architecture. King Jeff is a world-builder.
Rcee:
Accra to Kumasi raised, Rcee operates at the intersection of therapy and vibe. His debut EP How Did We Get Here? is a study in emotional restraint — mellow, vulnerable, but never sluggish. On “Knees & Bend” and “Amazing,” Rcee sings like someone who’s survived heartbreak, not just read about it. He’s a reminder that softness can be sharp.
Juno:
Lat but most certainly not the least is Juno. Juno’s voice feels like dusk: full of color, weight, and mystery. The Benue-born, Kaduna-raised Afro Soul singer dropped “Intentions” as her first official outing, and it already feels like a promise. Signed to The Gamma label, Juno makes music that feels like a prayer and a protest wrapped in silk. You don’t listen to her — you lean in. Her latest offering with Ruger, ‘Pipe Me Up’ is promising and bound to leave an impression on impressionable listeners.
Upper Quintet is a pulse check — a way to feel where music is quietly heading. These artists aren’t waiting for permission or applause. They’re building something honest, steady, and deeply personal. This is the future unfolding, one verse at a time.
