Port Harcourt singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Braye continues to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most exciting alternative voices with his latest project, LOVE STRAY.
Blending reggae, soul, jazz and sounds rooted in Nigeria and Ghana, Braye draws inspiration from artists including Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, Asa and Bob Marley while carving out a style distinctly his own. His journey has not been straightforward, with housing insecurity and parental disapproval among the obstacles he faced before his music caught the attention of Alté favourite Boj through Instagram.
Braye has since built an increasingly international audience, with fan favourite “Bring You Home” surpassing two million Spotify streams and his monthly listenership climbing beyond 160,000. Following debut EP I WISH I HAD MORE TIME, his new four track project LOVE STRAY explores both the beauty and consequences of love through intimate songwriting and a varied palette of soulful, richly textured production.
Balancing vulnerability with sonic experimentation, LOVE STRAY offers another glimpse into Braye’s evolving artistry and strengthens his position among Nigeria’s new generation of genre blurring talent.
Braye sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved to sing and tell stories. I don’t think I immediately saw myself as someone who would pursue music professionally, but when I was around 13, some friends encouraged me to start writing verses during class, and something clicked. I never really stopped after that.
Beyond making music, I’ve always been deeply moved by songs that tell the truth about the human experience. Whether it’s joy, grief, faith, love or doubt, I’ve always been drawn to music that carries honesty. That connection is what continues to inspire me every time I write.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I honestly believe everything I’ve listened to with genuine attention has shaped me in some way. I’ve gone through so many listening phases over the years, and each one has left its mark on how I think about music.
Artists like Mac Miller, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Hugh Masekela, Amy Winehouse, Dizzy Gillespie, Caetano Veloso, Donny Hathaway, Adele, Hozier, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak and Burna Boy have all inspired me in different ways. If I could collaborate with anyone living today, it would probably be Kendrick Lamar. I admire the depth of his writing and how intentional he is with every piece of work he puts into the world.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
I’m currently finishing my next project, which is titledWe May Need More Light. I’m in the final recording stages now.
It’s a body of work that’s been years in the making. Some of the songs were written in 2021, others in 2022, some much more recently, but they’re all connected by one central idea. It’s probably my most cohesive project yet, both sonically and emotionally, and I’m excited for people to spend time with it.
4. How would you describe your sound?
I’d describe my sound as deeply emotive and introspective. I want my music to feel timeless, the same way great books do.
A lot of my songwriting is inspired by literature, particularly classic works, as well as the Bible. I’m interested in exploring universal emotions and experiences in a way that feels honest, reflective and hopefully enduring.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Releasing my very first single,Painless Melody.
That moment made everything feel real. It was the first time I shared a piece of myself with the world, and regardless of everything that’s happened since, that feeling is something I’ll always carry with me.