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Obongjayar by George Muncey
INCLUDES NEW SINGLE “HOLY MOUNTAIN”
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR LAUNCHING JULY 24TH
Obongjayar releases sophomore album PARADISE NOW via September Recordings. The follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut album Some Nights I Dream of Doors, which earned the artist an Ivor Novello award, represents a brilliant shift in his creative process and expert songwriting. On PARADISE NOW Obongjayar melds the wide-ranging world of influences that inform his artistry as a means to construct his own definition of paradise.
Speaking on the concept of PARADISE NOW, Obongjayar shares:
Paradise Now is intended as a reminder that there is no past, there is no future, there’s just now. We’re always here, for better or for worse, so remember to take it all in.
Recorded between London and LA with Kwes Darko, Yeti Beats (Doja Cat) and Beach Noise (Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Bakar), PARADISE NOW promises adventure while showcasing OB’s most intimate storytelling yet. He grapples with everything from self-acceptance and transcendence to grief and loneliness, FOMO, procrastination, and never-ending nights, proving why he is one of the most thrilling voices to come out of the UK to date. From the bubblegum synths on “Just My Luck,” to melodic yet vulnerable affirmations of “Born In This Body,” to “Talk Olympics” featuring Little Simz, the last of which Rolling Stone said “excitingly elicits the commotion of a dense West African market, but mirrors the similarly incessant and overwhelming chatter that can spill from the internet into real life,” PARADISE NOW is both emotionally complex and truly singular to Obongjayar.
Earlier this month, Obongjayar announced a string of shows across the US set for this summer. Starting July 24th, Obongjayar will bring his acclaimed live show to the US, marking his first US performances ever outside of SXSW in 2023. He’ll perform 3 shows across the country, including an appearance at this year’s Newport Folk Festival, in addition to his headline dates. Following his shows in the US, OB will take this dynamic stage presence across the UK and EU starting November 14th for a string of shows in Berlin, Cologne, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and London, before playing his largest London show to date at the O2 Kentish Town Forum. Tickets are available for purchase now at obongjay.ar/live.
Last Summer, Obongjayar launched his intimate party series PARADISE NOW, which has since seen guests and friends alike pass through to perform, including Little Simz, Pa Salieu, Kwes Darko, James Messiah, Dean George, Peter Xan, Lava La Rue, Chi, Kwes, Bikoko, Fredwave, Jeshi and more.
About Obongjayar
Born in Lagos and raised in Calabar, Nigeria, before moving to the UK when he was 18 years old, while growing up, Obongjayar found an escape in music. Growing up in Nigeria, Obongjayar gravitated towards American hip-hop and R&B – Eminem, Ciara, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and his prized possession, a bootleg Nelly and Usher compilation. It wasn’t until moving to London in his late teens that he really began to appreciate Nigeria’s musical heritage. First releasing his own music through Soundcloud, what quickly followed was a string of hugely successful EPs and singles, including “God’s Own Children,” which earned him an Ivor Novello award. In 2022 he released his debut album Some Nights I Dream of Doors to critical acclaim with praise from the likes of i-D, Crack Magazine, The Guardian, NPR, DIY and more.
With a truly unique sound blending everything from electronic, soul, pop, afro-beat and more, his compelling music characterised by his thoughtful and emotional lyrics have led him to collaborate with everyone from Jeshi to Little Simz to Pa Salieu, and most recently Fred Again… on “adore u,“ that found the producer sampling Obongjayar’s “I Wish It Was Me” and garnering over 225 million streams globally.
US Tour Dates
7/24 – New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
7/26 – Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Fest
7/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
UK/EU Tour Dates
11/14 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Theater
11/16 – Cologne, Germany @ CBE
11/17 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
11/18 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
11/20 – Paris, France @ Trabendo
11/22 – Bristol, United Kingdom @ SWX
11/23 – Leeds, United Kingdom @ Project House
11/24 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ Gorilla
11/26 – London, United Kingdom @ O2 Forum
Obongjayar
Paradise Now
September Recordings
May 30, 2025
1. It’s Time
2. Life Ahead
3. Peace in Your Heart
4. Holy Mountain
5. Jellyfish
6. Talk Olympics (feat. Little Simz)
7. Prayer
8. Moon Eyes
9. Sweet Danger
10. Not in Surrender
11. Instant Animal
12. Strong Bone
13. Born in This Body
14. Just My Luck
15. Happy Head
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