The rising afro-soul artist remembers sweet times on Festival Of The Sun
The very first time anyone hears Ogranya’s vocals, the chances that you will be awestruck are very high. With his unique song-writing and atypical sonic direction, the musician flourishes as one of the most exciting emerging artists within Nigeria’s music community. When it comes to musicians who make their art an extension of themselves, Ogranya, born Jable Osai, stands out. His ageless looks, silky vocals, and sympathetic lyricism have propped the singer as an unforgettable voice within the corridors of R&B and pop music across Africa.
Ogranya made his mark in 2021 by releasing a song every week. A rare feat that has seen him expand his fanbase significantly. Dubbed Project 52, the marathon release, similar to what popular US rapper Russ did in 2015, signalled a new era of stardom for Ogranya, increasing his appearance on popular playlists and music discovery programs such as Apple Music’s Up Next. “It was a chance for me to really put myself to the test. It was the ultimate way to prove that I could do it,” he says.
The Accra-based indie star has recently resurfaced after a seven-month hiatus with an immersive and culturally poignant six-track EP, ‘Festival of The Sun’. The record borrows from the ancient Peruvian celebrations of summer solstices, metaphorically exploring a time in the singer’s life when ecstasy, serenity and hope were the spirits of the season.
Of the euphoric concept behind the EP, Ogranya explains: “In 2016, I was making music in Abuja when all the kids who lived in the US or UK were coming back for the summer holidays. There were events and parties and it was a lot of fun. And the name just came to me. ‘Festival of The Sun’ represents a feeling associated with that time of the year when you are either falling in love or having the most fun of your life.”
While he sonically retells his experiences, Ogranya is also exploring new soundscapes on this EP, an earmark of his growing maturity and confidence. “Two or three years ago, I was trying to prove to myself that I am an artist, and one who can survive in the entertainment scene. Right now, I have moved beyond that and I just want to experiment as much as possible,” he reflects. “There are a lot of beautiful sounds out there. I have messed around with the mid-tempos, slow songs and chill songs, and now the up-tempo get-you-on-your-feet type of songs can be a niche for me. Festival Of The Sun was an opportunity for me to flex that and I like how it has come out.”
The EP is lent culturally-spirited momentum through verses from Kenyan singer Nvirri The Storyteller, British-Nigerian maestro Moelogo, Nigerian vocal goldmine Johnny Drille, and enigmatic Ghanaian chanteuse, Moliy, who collectively serve a complete menu of intimate tales and uplifting melodies. These collaborations were a tender process for the artist, who prefers to write songs before entering the studio rather than making it up on the spot. “That is my style. I think the only exception was with Moliy, we finished her part and I took my time to finish my verse,” he says.
"I want to be 60 years old and still be able to perform my music. Longevity is the goal"
Ogranya grew up with a musical antecedent in Rivers State off the South-South coast of Nigeria. He describes his father as a grand maestro with a meticulous viewpoint. “He is a musician and we are a music family. Apart from listening to the records he always played at home, we also sang devotions every morning. That was my first coaching in music,” he recalls. “My dad also gave me my first song-writing lessons and with the music I am making today, he tells me if he feels my storytelling isn’t strong enough. He will ask me, ‘what is the message?’.”
Ogranya went on to study architecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Accra, and practised for five years before diverting to music full-time, and stepping out with his debut compilation dubbed, Eden Evermore, in 2019.
Now, as ‘Festival of the Sun’ establishes his reputation as an afro-soul maverick, Ogranya’s goal is to carve out a career at par with the greats. “I want to be 60 years old and still be able to perform my music, to get bookings where I can play to a vast demographic and not just a niche audience. I am trying to forge my stagecraft because longevity is the goal.” The next step on this trajectory will be releasing his debut album next year, which will be a line-up of socially-charged songs. “It’s about 20 tracks with only two love songs. The rest are all about life themes - existential crisis and political conversations and all.”
With his expansive discography, Ogranya continues to distinguish himself among newcomers in the Nigerian music scene. The four cardinal points of progressiveness, dauntlessness, originality and dexterity are woven seamlessly into his artistry, confidently erasing all doubts about whether or not he will be here for a long time.
Festival of the Sun by Ogranya is out now on RedClaye Entertainment. Discover it here.
This story was created in collaboration with Metaclay.