Last week, I had the privilege of attending Braye’s live show for his debut EP, I Wish I Had More Time. Walking into the room, I didn’t know what to expect, but the moment the music started, I was transported.

It wasn’t the usual Afrobeats or the predictable Amapiano bounce that’s defined so much of Nigeria’s current soundscape. Instead, Braye’s music felt like stepping into a world that was both familiar and brand new. It was nostalgic, but not in the typical “Nigerian” sense. Rather, it was a reminder of the depth and range of what Nigerian music can be.

Listening to his lyrics, the instrumentation, and the delicate interplay between them all felt like inhaling a breath of fresh air. His sound felt rooted in honesty, unafraid of vulnerability, and rich in a tapestry of influences that stretch from Amy Winehouse and Ray Charles to Bon Iver and Asa. It was a reminder that Nigerian music isn’t confined to one beat or one genre. It’s a living, breathing canvas.

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After the show, I found myself diving back into Braye’s older songs, and I was struck again by the consistency of his artistry. His music feels like a diary, raw, poetic, and achingly real.

Born and raised in Port-Harcourt, Braye is part of a new wave of artists who defy categorization. His debut EP, I Wish I Had More Time, released on May 30th, is a four-track journey through longing, love, and reflection, a sonic diary that blends Alt-R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and indie influences. From stripped-down ballads like “Stuck” to layered, cinematic arrangements like “Bring You Home,” every track feels like a conversation between Braye and the listener.

“This EP is me trying to make sense of the things I didn’t say, the time I can’t get back, and the emotions I couldn’t express in the moment,” Braye shared. “It’s for anyone who has ever wished they could press pause or rewind on life.”

Braye’s strength lies in his vulnerability. On tracks like “Slipping Out Of Time,” his ethereal vocals float over carefully crafted production, creating an atmosphere that’s at once intimate and expansive. It’s music that makes you feel seen, music that lingers long after the final note.

In a time when so much of our music scene feels driven by formulas and fleeting trends, Braye’s I Wish I Had More Time feels like a quiet rebellion. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful art is the one that simply tells the truth.

Braye might just be one of Nigeria’s most promising new voices, and if this EP is any indication, he’s only just getting started. Listen to his E.P below:

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