Ogranya is latest Up Next Nigeria artist

The Afropop singer-songwriter joins fellow emerging Nigerian artists Majeeed, Khaid and Ninety, all of whom have been named in the initiative this year. Other notable Up Next alumni include Rema, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi and Tems.

Up Next is the streaming platform’s global artist development programme dedicated to spotlighting exciting new talent. Ogranya will be featured across Apple Music’s ‘Up Next’ playlist, handpicked by Apple Music editors eager to expose these new sounds to larger audiences.

“I’ve been making music for a little over a decade now and as an artist who often wishes to stay true to his craft, I’ve intentionally shut off every aspect of myself that would want to clamour for recognition and such,” Ogranya said.

“Being affirmed in this manner, as Apple Music’s Up Next artist at this point in my career, is priceless to my journey. I'm excited about how much of a springboard this will be for everything I’ve hoped to accomplish with my art and how exhilarating it is for everyone who has ever expressed faith in my art.”

Born Ogranya Jable Osai in Port Harcourt, Ogranya holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He hails from a musical family and cites Frank Sinatra, John Mayer, Ne-Yo and Kanye West among his technical models.

Ogranya is behind the debut 2020 EP Imperfect – a rich fusion of R&B melodies and passionate lyricism. His latest EP, Festival of the Sun , arrived in August 2022 via RedClaye Entertainment. The six-track project explores Afrobeats, R&B, soul and jazz.