The world needs no introductions to musical internet sensations, and by the end of this year they certainly won't need one for Taves, who was first acknowledged in the Nigerian music scene after making a cover of a popular afrobeats song “4 Days” by BNXN, after the video garnered attention online, including a notice from the original artiste, which set his place in the industry in stone. Two years later, he has an Atlantic record deal, features on a critically acclaimed album and some solo hits. Many might say the public’s opinion about him is biased due to his good looks, but the talent is undeniable and he has confidence in his craft. He comes from a country where one genre has been mainstreamed and the norm for multiple years. It's refreshing to see the renaissance of a new sound.

His song “Folake” is the rage on the internet, but to appreciate the musician you have to explore his earlier work, only then will you be able to fully appreciate his growth as a person and his versatility as an artiste. In a world where many are quick to disclaim their roots, Taves has never been one to shy away from incorporating aspects of his hometown into his work. Two of his songs are named after places there and if you've visited the state, you kind of get the sense of where the inspiration for some of his music is drawn. The serene atmosphere of ibadan is reflected in its sound and introduces its background to listeners who have not visited there and the sound reminds those who have what makes the place special.

Courtesy of Instagram- Photographer: _tedphotography

Watching the young artistes career blossom serves as an inspiration to many, especially coming from Nigeria, a country that boasts of its competitiveness. Despite that competition he stands out among his peers and that in itself is no small feat for a man his age. In his early life, he moved around the country while consuming Asa’s music. His love for the craft isn't a recent development as he has been writing songs since the age of 9. His lyrics talk about his genuine experiences, which range from heartbreaks to falling in love or just having a good time, giving his audience insight into what his life is like.

Rarely has fame come without controversy and this applies to him as well. However, that's less of his fault and more of the publics’ aversion to embrace a more advanced sound. Aside from his usual audience many music lovers are more likely to listen to mainstream music and believe that branching out hinders taste. This is where stars like Taves come in, their admirable persistence on setting the tone for what they want to release and not to change who they are and fit into the expectations of others.

Since breaking into the music industry, he has appeared on big stages, from Abuja to Lagos and more recently London. He has the support of the people, a great team, and a wonderful personality. From the few interactions I’ve had with him, you can feel his positivity toward his work enables him to be the best; he's not just doing it for the stream. The pay is most likely great but it's certainly not just about that, excuse the cliche but it's about his passion. He's loved music for so long that it's come as second nature to him, he's already great at it, the journey now is to its perfection

Courtesy of Intagram - Photographer: _tedphotography

The work from him so far has been impressive. There’s a driving force pushing him to make his mark on the world, and he's already doing that locally. It's only a matter of time before he gets the international recognition he deserves. His genre bending has already earned him comparisons to multiple music stars. The fact is he will likely be bigger than they are. He's done so much with little in his discography that there should be no doubt where he'll be in the coming years.

With talks of an upcoming project on the way, the excitement for the next phase of his work is palpable. We've seen his diverse range with tracks such as “Karma,” “Eleyele,” and “Bodija,” and if any of those are the criterion for what he has in store, pt is our hope that the project comes sooner rather than later

Article by Yasmine Don Braimah, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Nicolas Harris, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine

Taves The Wunderkind