Meet Yimeeka: Nigeria’s Next Afro-House Star

LovabledanielsDecember 25, 2024181 Views

Afro-house, a sub-genre of house music originating from South Africa, has seen fewer Nigerian artists consciously embrace and champion its sound compared to Afrobeats sub-genres. Among the leading voices is Niniola, often dubbed the Queen of Afro-house. Now, a new generation of artists, inspired by predecessors like Niniola, are contributing to the genre, including the emerging talent, Yimeeka.

Born Olayinka Owoseni, Yimeeka is a Nigerian underground artist whose powerful, yet delicate vocals create otherworldly melodies, making her a significant force in the Afro-house scene. Her musical journey began in the church choir at the age of 12, culminating in her professional debut with the “Alter Ego” EP in 2022. The bedroom-produced EP blended Afro-R&B and Afro-Pop, showcasing Yimeeka’s dual talent as both producer and artist. It also featured notable collaborations with Pheelz (whom she considers her best friend and a major influence), D1wav, and Joyce Olong.

Yimeeka views music as a form of raw emotional expression, and each release is an intimate encounter with her thoughts and feelings, woven into expertly crafted productions. In August 2023, she released the two-track single “Issues/Tsunami,” marking her first foray into Afro-house. The execution and delivery of this project immediately established Yimeeka as a rising figure in the Nigerian Afro-house landscape. This was followed by a self-titled, six-track Afro-house EP in April 2024, a confident statement that she had found her distinct sound. Seven months later, she reinforced this notion with another EP, this time in collaboration with producer BLACK CULTURE.

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On ‘INÓ,’ as with her previous work, Yimeeka explores themes of love, heartbreak, and life, often enveloped in Afro-house rhythms, with the strength of her melodies sometimes overshadowing the narrative. Whether driven by sheer passion or a deep connection to traditional percussion, Yimeeka is no doubt poised to become a key figure redefining the sound of Afro-house in Nigeria and beyond.