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Obongjayar by Eleonora Muraglia
ANNOUNCES DEBUT US HEADLINE TOUR DATES
PARADISE NOW DUE MAY 30TH VIA SEPTEMBER RECORDINGS
Obongjayar announces 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. Tickets for his headline shows will be available for purchase starting May 16th at 10 AM local time via www.obongjayar.ar.
Alongside the announcement, Obongjayar shares new single, “Jellyfish,” the latest offering from his forthcoming sophomore album PARADISE NOW, which is set for release on May 30th via September Recordings. Made alongside Carlos O’Connell of Fontaines D.C. and Kwes Darko (Denzel Curry, Pa Salieu, John Glacier), “Jellyfish” finds Obongjayar picking up the tempo on the ragged synth-punk diss track on which he dexterously fuses textures of his native Nigeria with a production reminiscent of drum and bass. He underscored how “Jellyfish” is a medium for communicating the frustration he feels towards the government in a sit down interview with The Observer saying, “Seeing how governments move, people in power, corporations – [for] whatever monetary reasons you sell yourself” with writer Tara Joshi calling it “a scathing song about spineless British politicians.” The song follows the artist’s previously released singles “Sweet Danger,” “Not in Surrender,” and “Just My Luck,” all of which provide a glimpse into the dynamic yet intentional storytelling listeners can expect from Obongjayar’s second studio album.
Produced 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, all of which are set to candy-coated electro-pop synths and soaring strings, proving why he is one of the most thrilling voices to come out of the UK to date. Standing testament to Obongjayar’s skilled vocals, the album features no other artists other than his good friend and frequent collaborator Little Simz, with whom OB recently collaborated on her recent single “Flood.”
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 via obongjay.ar/live.
Last Summer, Obongjayar launched his intimate party series PARADISE NOW at Ormside Projects, 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. His next party will be in May with more information to be announced soon.
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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