Afrobeats is no longer just a genre from Lagos; it has become a global cultural engine, dominating festival lineups, Billboard charts, and streaming platforms. As the world keeps its eyes on the pioneers, the true evolution of the sound lies in the emerging voices ready to push it forward. One of those voices is ZAA Nurty, a Lagos-born, Denver-based artist who is quietly but powerfully positioning himself as the next major breakout.
Born Harold Ayodeji Aikhomu in Oshodi, Lagos, ZAA carries the essence of his roots in every note. He grew up surrounded by the street rhythms of Lagos and shaped by an interfaith upbringing that taught him range, empathy, and perspective. Now signed to Cold Summer The Label and based in the United States, he is building an identity that blends homegrown authenticity with global ambition. He is not just making Afrobeats; he is reshaping how it can sound and how far it can travel.
His singles “Lenu” and “LaVida Loca” introduced his ability to craft grooves that move bodies and stories that stick to memory. But his debut EP, With Love, ZAA Always, feels like his true arrival. The project plays like a personal letter, inviting listeners into his world with softness, honesty, and intention. It merges Afrobeats pulse with cross-cultural textures, revealing an artist who understands both the tradition he comes from and the future he wants to build.
The industry is already taking notice. ZAA has opened for Davido during his Ogden Theatre show in Denver and for BNXN during his US tour stop at Cervantes in Denver. These are not small stages; they are proof that he can hold his own in the presence of the genre’s heavy hitters. He has also been featured on platforms like Stankulture, signaling growing media interest and a rising fan base across continents.
Why does this matter right now? Afrobeats is craving fresh perspectives beyond the established giants. Global audiences are hungry for new names who bring depth, vulnerability, and innovation. ZAA represents exactly that. He is the bridge between Lagos and the diaspora, between culture and experiment, between storytelling and performance.
The wave is rising, and ZAA is perfectly positioned to ride it to the top.
