Photo credit: Dragan Andic / The.97
Following the success of Nonso Amadi‘s recent single “Different” ft. Majid Jordan which has boasted over 4.8 million global streams and 1.9 million music video views since its release in May 2022, the globally acclaimed, Canada-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer is back with another captivating single “Eye to Eye.” Released via Def Jam USA/Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, Nonso Amadi’s emerging global presence is set to be further realized through this R&B-infused, atmospheric track.
“We don’t always see eye to eye, but we know when it’s a perfect time” Nonso sings over delicate, reggae-infused instrumentals. Mixing the soul & rhythm of African music with modern textures of R&B, “Eye to Eye” further defines Nonso Amadi’s distinct sound in the R&B/Soul genre; a blend of introspective lyrics, euphoric vocals, and trance-like instrumentals that allow for a meditative experience among listeners. On the inspiration behind the song, Nonso says “The chorus line and melody were stuck in my head for weeks “we don’t always see eye to eye, but we know when it’s a perfect time”. It’s a song about being at odds with your significant other but you both recognize when it’s time to make up. This is also my most collaborative song yet in terms of production and composition.”
A collaborative track, “Eye to Eye” saw production credits from Goldchain, live bass played by Evan Porter, guitar incorporated by Johnny Vassos, and a songwriting credit by singer, artist, and writer Majo. Though Nonso’s collaborative spirit is demonstrated in this track, his recent performances this year further showcase his appreciation for live music and the routes of performance he found in his youth. A highlight of one of his recent performances included traveling to Kingston, Jamacia to join a lineup of reggae, roots, and dancehall legends including Marcia Griffiths, Bugle, Amanyea, Tony Rebel, Gyptian, Queen Ifrica for Bob Marley’s ‘77 Birthday Concert, an Earthstong celebration event. Watch the performance HERE (Nonso Amadi at 5:07:35)
Most recently, this week, Nonso Amadi announced his charity initiative called “Hills”, and hosted a charity run on Wednesday, August 31 in Toronto called “Run for the Hills,” in partnership with Amazon Music and Nike Canada. The event raised money for the Khan Foundation – a nonprofit organization focused on education development in Nigeria – and brought together people from across creative industries for 5 kilometers run through the city. This was the first of many upcoming events intended to gather creative communities for a positive experience focused on health and wellbeing in different parts of the world.
Between being featured on Amazon’s The New Black Playlist, making the top of the list for Audiomack Africa x The Beat “Alte Vibes” with his song “Different”, and garnering features on major outlets like BBC 1Xtra, Complex, Fader, and Pulse, Nonso Amadi has as well recently crossed 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. With Nonso Amadi’s “Eye to Eye” set to progress to new commercial and creative heights for the emerging artists, stay tuned for more Nonso to come in 2022.
Beginning his musical career while studying in Nigeria at Covenant University and then Swansea University in the UK. Nonso Amadi transformed into a sonic-globetrotter after his move to Canada – leading him to fuse the soul & rhythm of African music with modern soft textures of R&B. With an affinity for contemporary R&B, Nonso developed a desire to explore North America and Africa in equal parts – citing Toronto-native Drake’s genre-hopping capability as an inspiration for his own creative fluidity. Nonso’s music is powered by borderless infusions and intention. “I really loved Mary J Blige, Brandy, Wyclef Jean, Paul Play. I love R&B because it’s slow enough to allow you to feel,” he says of his early experiences with the artform.
Nonso’s refreshingly honest yet tranquil approach to music has allowed the likes of Juls, Santi, and Odunsi The Engine — the latter of whom he collaborated with on the War EP’ — to entrench his arrival across Nigeria and the continent at large across the late ‘10’s. With over 100,000+ million streams across platforms, Nonso Amadi refuses to be the typical straight A-student stereotype. Instead, he stands tall as a constantly evolving, textured lyricist able to translate Alte, Afro-fusion and hip-hop into his R&B-canvassed approach to storytelling, best represented on his last EP Free (2019), which features Afrobeat’s heavyweights Simi and Mr Eazi.
In 2019, Nonso made the conscious decision to step away from social media and paused the release of music — all to take a deeper dive into his artistry and separate from noise and distraction. Unaware of the global pandemic looming, Nonso’s time to cleanse and create was stretched into a longer hiatus. Currently recording his debut album, with the support of Universal Music Canada and an international team — the now 26-year-old, Nonso Amadi is determined to shed even more of his creative-skin. “I want listeners to hear this next project and know who I am and what I’ve gone through. I want to make great songs that tell my story”.
LISTEN TO “EYE TO EYE” HERE & WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE
FOLLOW NONSO AMADI:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
