For this week’s edition of the Upper Quintet, we raise a glass to the relentless, the gifted, the defiant, the ethereal, and the sensational. Each profiled, emerging music act for this week’s edition, ticks the above and we laud their efforts.
Rose May Alaba
Austrian-Nigerian singer and songwriter, Rose May Alaba has been around for a while, making a name for herself in the Austrian music industry. The talented music act began her musical career at the age of twenty and has garnered a decent discography thus far.
The twenty-eight-year-old is a skilled vocalist and a one-time Austrian chart-topper. Preceding a semi-successful Pop/R&B career, Rose May Alaba began tilting toward Nigerian sonic affiliations, the shift led her to collaborate with Nigerian artists like Mayorkun. Her recent single, ‘Ibadi(Waist)‘ is a catchy number and it has been getting vast appraisals.
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Yarden
Okereke Jordan otherwise known as Yarden is an emerging and gifted music artist. The Nigerian singer-songwriter brought attention to himself in late 2022 via his mid-tempo Afro-fusion record, ‘Wetin‘.
The twenty-year-old budding act has since followed up with a visual to the single. His fluid use of harmonic cadences, coupled with his soft vocal texture and easy lyricism(the latter is common amongst Afrobeats acts) makes him an interesting prospect in the ever-burgeoning music industry. Yarden recently released a single titled ‘Busy Body‘, a good listen, you should totally check it out.
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Bloody Civilian
Bloody Civilian with the real name, Emoseh Khamofu is a Lagos-based singer, songwriter, record producer, and overall musician. The emerging act was one of the African acts included in the Black Panther: ‘Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack.
Bloody Civilian’s musical style is assertive and unapologetically feminist-themed. Her debut as a solo artist, ‘How To Kill A Man‘ is a satirical musical piece that challenges the patriarchal norms of society. Her recent single, ‘I Don’t Like You‘ is quickly becoming a fan-favorite and there I say, a breakout prospect.
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Kemuel
Kemuel Emmanuel is a fast-rising singer-songwriter, and record producer from Rivers State, Nigeria. The twenty-three-year-old is an impressive prospect- with an Olamide and Dj Spinall co-sign under his belt. His debut body of work, ‘ Escape’ has received acclaim from various industry minds. Fingers crossed; Kemuel is a superstar in the making.
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Shalom Dubas
Born In Washington, United States, Shalom Dubas. The Lagos-based rapper is an Indie artist with a knack for telling introspective and intimate love stories through thoughtful and well-formed rhyme schemes.
Shalom might be an emerging act in the African music scene, but she is not in any form a novice in her craft. She has been able to amass millions of music streams while still being underground and frankly; grossly slept on. Her discography spans an album, one E.P., and several singles. Her recent single, ‘Run Me Love’ is a blissful listen.
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