For far too long, Lagos has been synonymous with the Nigerian music scene. Yet, a quiet revolution has been brewing in the nation's capital, Abuja. This city is rapidly establishing itself as a breeding ground for a new generation of artists, ones unafraid to push boundaries and experiment with sound.
Abuja's musical identity is defined by its diversity. Talents like Naeto C, Tay Iwar, Lady Donli, Psycho YP, and ODUMODUBLVCK have all emerged from this scene, each with a sound entirely their own. This isn't a city that produces carbon copies – it fosters unique voices and artistic individuality.
A prime example of this innovative spirit is the collaborative project, ‘YP & Azanti Vol. 1’, released in 2021. Here, the established rapper Psycho YP took a chance on a then 17-year-old Azanti. The result? Not only a fan favourite project that launched Azanti's career, but also brought to light the multi hats that YP wears. A visionary, A&R, Label boss, and of course, an outstanding rapper.
The success of ‘YP & Azanti Vol. 1’ left fans eagerly anticipating a sequel.
On May 31st, they released ‘YP & Azanti Vol 2’. A 10-track album project showcasing the wonderful artistry of rapper and singer, Psycho YP coupled with the diligence of musician, producer, and songwriter, Azanti.
Psycho YP’s distinct style of music led to the release of ‘YPSZN’ in 2018 boosting his popularity and earning him several award nominations. He has since released an EP titled ‘Euphoria’ and joint EPs with a variety of mainstream artistes, Kuddi Is Dead and Azanti. Azanti became famous in the music industry after releasing ‘YP & AZANTI, VOL. 2’, a collaboration with Psycho YP. He sets a successful trail with an EP, ‘Azanti’, and his debut album, ‘Heart Parts & Nostalgia”. Azanti has also worked together with the likes of Adekunle Gold, Rowlene, Odeal, The Cavemen, etc.
They're both signed to an Abuja-based record label, Apex Village, collectively spearheaded by Psycho YP and others. “Naija Funk” is the first released song from the album and it has amassed lots of positive reactions and evident anticipation from their fans. The artistes share with TurnTable Charts their inspiration behind the project and their experience working together so far.
TTC: In 2020, both of you exceptionally worked on the ‘YP & Azanti, Vol. 1’ album. What brought about the idea of a collaborative album? How did working together on that project go?
AZANTI: I reached out to YP a few times over email. I just wanted to get feedback on my records and he liked the song. So, we started to make a bunch of music together and we were not in the same place. I was in Angola and YP was in England. Me and YP just have this amazing synergy on records and it’s been like that from the jump. So, we were sending back files and the records were amazing. We made so many classics together that we had to put the project together. We had to compile them and drop a project together, it only felt right.
PSYCHO YP: Like he said, we met ourselves online via WhatsApp and emails. I think finding someone who could match my work rate was new to me, so we found ourselves making 10 to 20 songs a week. We always knew it would be huge and everybody would love it.
TTC: You released “Naija Funk”, one of the songs on the ‘YP & Azanti, Vol. 2’ project already. Do you like the turn-up on this new wave? How's it going so far?
AZANTI: The love has been amazing. The fans feel this one. Even from here in Canada, I can feel the love. It’s banging in the Nigerian clubs here too, so I can only imagine how crazy it’s going in Nigeria. We thank God.
PSYCHO YP: Yes, I’m loving the reception of the new wave, the new genre. It all feels like good vibes with classical music. We had the video coming out. It was a fun video shoot and the song was fun. So yeah, I think it's the perfect way to start the release of the project. Well, not really to start it, but I mean right now with the video and everything is coming out.
TTC: Can you give us a brief history of your journey with Apex Village and how making creative music has been there?
AZANTI: I signed to Apex because of YP. I respect him a lot and he was one of the few people who saw the vision from the jump. You need that around you –people who see the vision. Apex is family and we’re all visionaries. With Apex, we started with ‘YP and Azanti Volume 1’ and made that project. It was very seamless and a lot of white people were in a group chat with a bunch of other producers, and I was making a bunch of music and finding myself. Apex has let me be creative. Everybody in Apex is a visionary in their own way. That kind of helps when you see everybody excelling at their craft.
PSYCHO YP: My bros and I started all these years ago as a powerhouse to push the creativity being brought by each individual to the maximum. That’s the idea behind it all.
TTC: What are you hoping to give your fans on this new album, ‘YP & Azanti, Vol. 2’?
AZANTI: An experience and a half. The fans have been anticipating this for a while so we aim to make sure they didn’t wait in vain. The new project is very dynamic. It's very different. There are different types of records and it covers the whole spectrum, honestly. It covers from slow ballad-type records to high beat to amapiano, and club bangers like Clairol. The project covers the whole spectrum, I think. So, I'm excited to see what I want. I think it's a classic.
PSYCHO YP: There’s a whole lot of RnB vibes. Everyone's been trying to get more of a ‘loosen’ YP. Also, I feel like that's a project where you can find some of that.
TTC: What was your creative process like?
AZANTI: “Very similar to Vol. 1 –sending of files back and forth. We did make a few records in person. Records like “Naija Funk”, “Somebody” & “Lekki Epe”. There was something in the air when we did these songs. Quick, concise, and sweet. This project definitely has some of the quickest songwriting I’ve done. Most times it's like freestyle off the top. I pick up the mic and go with my head. But other times I like to be more intentional, you know, precise. So, I might write, I might pick up a pen. And other times you might spend a long time. The essence of this is, I'm trying to tell you that there are different ways. I can't even tell you one process.
I also flex my production chops on this a lot more. I produced about 4 of the songs including “2hot2handle” & “Lekki Epe”. I always try to switch it up and change it and try different things.
PSYCHO YP: We basically have the same kind of process. We can either just freestyle it or sit down and lock in seriously and write down some shit, but most of the time we'd already be writing down stuff.
I knew this project wasn’t like my normal projects. This isn’t my day-to-day genre. So making this type of music and coming from Nigeria, I had to keep the mindset of America from memories as a kid and movies you know try to tap into that. Ended up going to LA with Azanti a couple of months ago and finished up the project. It was amazing!
TTC: What influenced the collaboration between YP & Azanti? Would you say your creative process is part of what influenced this collaboration between you and Azanti or there's something else?
AZANTI: The synergy. The vibe. God. Divinity. There was a sounding roar from heaven that cried for the magic to be made. The universe needed it. I think we're sonically very different and different enough that it sounds fresh, but also similar in a way that it sounds familiar and refreshing. There's a pocket where when me and YP make a record, we kind of sit in a very unique pocket where it sounds kind of familiar, but it's fresh as well. I think that's very interesting as well.
PSYCHO YP: This work rate is among another level, so finding someone that can match my level of crazy. That's one of the reasons because we complement each other well. I could tell that this kid was gonna be huge. He’s a genius and you can literally tell he’s going to be such a superstar
TTC: Thank you very much, Azanti and YP. We know we’re in different time zones, Azanti, but thank you so much for gracing us with your presence and time. Thank you very much and the rest of your day.
