Apple Music’s Latest Africa Rising Recipient Is Afro-Pop Singer-songwriter taves

Apple Music today announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program is Nigerian Afro-Pop singer-songwriter, taves (real name Toluwani Ayomide Aluko).

“I am honoured to be chosen as Apple Music’s Africa Rising artist. It’s a testament to hard work, resilience and the limitless potential from Africa as a whole. It inspires me to make more music and share my creativity with the world. It’s not just about me, it’s about bringing Africa to the world. This is just the beginning, I strive to break greater boundaries and exceed expectations with the help of supporters around the world.”

Born and raised in Nigeria’s Port Harcourt, taves began to create demos on his phone while he was studying at the Ibadan International School in Oyo, but it was only after he graduated that he stepped into the studio for the first time after his brother supportively booked him a session. He also gained online traction for his unique covers of tracks from CKay and Lojay, however it was his cover of BNXN’s “For Days” that was the turning point in taves’ career, with BNXN reaching out and eventually signing taves to his label, To Your Ears Entertainment.

Inspired by the Afrofusion melodies of French-Nigerian singer Asa, as well as the unique stylings of Burna Boy, Khalid and Omah Lay, taves has created a style of music that merges traditional African music and modern elements with his inspirational rhythms and textured vocals, which allows taves to stand apart from his contemporaries.

His debut EP Are You Listening? (2024), available to stream now on Apple Music, is an intricately layered eight track R&B-rooted body of work that reinforces his storytelling prowess and lyrical smarts, anchored in Afro-pop ballad “A Million Things” and neo-R&B ballad “Folake”.

The latest music from taves along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Discover Africa Rising here: applemusic.com/africarising

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising alumni to date include: Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie and Nikita Kering. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year to be spotlighted across the Apple Music platform, including with a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also launched a weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Nandi Madida which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Tems, Ayra Starr, Victony, Rema, King Promise, Savara, Ruger & Bnxn, Tyla and Kelvin Momo.