Braye is a genre-blending artist whose sound draws from reggae, soul, hip-hop, and afrobeat. Raised in Port Harcourt and shaped by time spent in Accra, his music reflects a deep connection to storytelling and emotion.
In this interview, he shares the journey behind his evolution from rapper to singer, his creative process, and what “timeless music” truly means to him.
Can you share how growing up in Port Harcourt influenced your musical journey?
I went to church in port harcourt and people all around played music, different kinds of music. My Dad played a lot too, I was somewhat conscious of the sounds and how they made me feel. I still remember now the feeling of the songs our neighbors played on most Sunday mornings, even though I may not remember the particular songs.
What inspired your transition from rap to singing, and how has that evolution shaped your artistry?
As a kid in children church I mostly just sang. But as I grew older I became more interested in writing poetry and prose. Then I started writing raps in SS2, there were few of us in class then who did. I was about 13. Then I just made songs everyday, was kinda infatuated with lyrics and storytelling cos I was listening to lots of American rap and some Nigerian music too. When I entered college in Accra at 15 I found myself kinda sequestered and lost in that social world. I was alone most of the time writing music and listening to music, and I think that allowed me forge a taste for music without much peer influence. I listened to what I liked and that led to discovering other stuff I liked and so on. And I guess it has formed and still forms me as a musician, so everything I did before I still do now. I can even say I’m a better rapper now than ever before. So it’s more of an evolution, we are all still learning what music is.
Which artists have influenced your sound, and how do those influences show up in your music?
I listen to what I like as much as I want. I’m not sure how much each individual artist influences my style but yes I think there are some that I listen to and know about more. There are so many so I’ll just mention like ten percent of them. Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Fela, Dennis Brown, Marvin, Amy Winehouse, Anderson Paak, Mac Miller, Kendrick, J Cole.
How would you describe your unique sound to someone unfamiliar with your work?
I’ll say an alternative mix of reggae, soul, jazz, Hiphop, pop, Afrobeat, rnb.
What does the term “timeless records” mean to you, and how do you strive to achieve that in your music?
Timeless music for me means music that comes from a place of essence. That is it wants to say something so true about human experience that it transcends time and space, so it is eternal. For me I try to let myself be open and play as much as possible, then through some intuition ideas come.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you approach crafting a new song?
Sometimes I have one line I think is great, then I build a song out of it, line by line. Most times I freestyle some melodies on a beat or chord progression and if I feel I have to put words to them I do, then arrange and rearrange the parts to my satisfaction.
How do you balance conveying deep messages while keeping your music engaging and relatable?
Because deep messages are meant to be relatable and music is ultimately a sonic phenomenon. If you have to put words on it then they have to carry the essence of the whole song. The Bible has some of the deepest truths about life but it has been relatable for thousands of years to humans. Writing music involves writing words and melodies at the same time and arranging them into a kind of narrative, which can take a while, or not long at all sometimes. We just need to have good taste, and know what we like to make, and try to achieve that all the time.
“Painless Melody” and “Bossa Nova” have garnered attention. What stories or themes do these songs explore?
Painless Melody explores the essence of music, it’s inherent optimism and effects on us and Bossa nova is an experience of seducing a girl with music.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about and can share with us?
For now there’s nothing set in stone but there’s other music waiting and I’m eager to share as soon as the time comes. Apart from that there’s not much to say about this for now.
How do you perceive the current Nigerian music scene, and where do you see yourself within it?
Well, I don’t think too much about the Nigerian music scene. Perhaps I am part of it, not truly conscious of how much of a participator I am. I guess it’s not something I can impact directly so I don’t really think much about it to be honest. I’m more into the things I’m making and how I’m solving the problems these ideas create, then see whatever comes out of that, internally and externally.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for your music career in the next few years?
I wanna release more music, perform in many different places, be part of other people’s musical experiences in a way that they go back from it feeling somewhat inspired for life.
Braye’s approach to music is rooted in honesty, curiosity, and a desire to connect. From the reflective Painless Melody to the sultry Bossa Nova, his work offers insight and feeling in equal measure. With more music on the way, Braye is an artist committed to growth—and to making music that lasts.
