Ever since an early Obongjayar demo first surfaced on SoundCloud in 2016, it’s been clear that Steven Umoh, the man behind the moniker, possesses a completely unique talent. Known to his friends simply as ‘OB’, the Nigerian-born, London-based musician pens stirring and spiritual lyrics, while commanding a distinctive voice that flits between rap, song and spoken word. With afrobeats, soul and hip-hop influences, he has created a bold, genre-defiant musicality.
Despite rich successes over the last few years; OB has never felt ready to release an album, until now, and his debut full-length, ‘Some Nights I Dream of Doors’ represents a real levelling up for Obongjayar. Across twelve tracks, he deftly moves through diverse sounds and subcultures while navigating a wealth of personal and political topics. Album opener, Try is an urgent and euphoric call to arms with a rousing beat and glittering production, ‘We used to be invincible, we used to be so beautiful’ he sings. ‘When you’re a child, there are so many possibilities’ he explains. ‘You can be a pilot or an astronaut, it’s all so possible. By the time you
turn twenty, you realise you’re probably not going to become a brain surgeon; reality starts to set in. That’s what the song and this record is about; where do those feelings go? At what point do we lose our innocence, our wide-eyed approach to the world?’
If his last EP, Which Way is Forward? posed a lot of questions as Obongjayar examined his identity and his place in the world, Some Nights I Dream of Doors is his coming of age moment. In OB’s exploration of everything from familial expectation to self-seeking politicians; there’s a boldness and a confidence to every track. Message In a Hammer pulses with Fela Kuti Zombieesque rhythm and urgency, while in Parasite, he offers a searing takedown of, ‘conservative leaders trying to tell people of disadvantaged backgrounds how to live and to better their lives, when they have no experience or understanding of our lives.’ The album is a real showcase of his vocal dexterity. In softer moments like Wish It Was Me – a song about his younger brother – and piano ballad Wind Sailor there’s a powerful vulnerability in Obongjayar’s lesser-heard singing voice.
More Events in Greater London Listings MORE
Windrush Food Culture Exhibition
Explore the powerful story of Caribbean food and its lasting impact on Britain in Windrush Food Culture, a…
The Music Is Black: A British Story – Exhibition
The Music Is Black: A British Story is a major cultural exhibition opening at V&A East Museum, offering…
The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition 2026
BBM/BMC (BritishBlackMusic.com /Black Music Congress) presents in association with BTWSC/African Histories Revisited and Brent Museum and Archives: The…
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica is a major international exhibition exploring the cultural,…
The Terror and the Time + Caribbean Honeymoon No. 2 + Panel Discussion
Part of the Barbican’s acclaimed Project a Black Planet film season, The Terror and the Time + Caribbean…
Senior Community Cinema: Hyenas
As part of the Barbican’s acclaimed Project a Black Planet film season, Senior Community Cinema: Hyenas offers audiences…
Dread Beat an’ Blood: A Recital by Linton Kwesi Johnson
One of Britain’s most influential poets returns to the stage as Linton Kwesi Johnson presents a special live…
Relaxed Screening: Handsworth Songs
Presented as part of the Barbican’s groundbreaking Project a Black Planet film season, this relaxed screening of Handsworth…