From the Streets of Akure to Global Playlists: How AYOX Is Carrying the Afrobeat Torch Into a Bold New Era
There’s a movement happening in the soundscape of global music—and its name is Afrobeat. Once a distinctly Nigerian pulse, today it’s a cultural lifeline resonating from Lagos to Los Angeles, Accra to Amsterdam. While pioneers like Fela Kuti laid the ideological foundation, modern torchbearers like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Rema have cracked open the global stage. And now, standing at the intersection of reverence and revolution, is a young artist from Akure who’s becoming impossible to ignore: AYOX.
AYOX—born Ayomide Bakare Iyanuoluwa—has something rare: a soul older than his age and a voice that feels like it was handcrafted for catharsis. With a tender fusion of Fuji, Juju, and contemporary Afropop sensibilities, his sound feels both grounded and soaring. And while fame often transforms people, AYOX is becoming beloved not just for his talent, but for his character—a grounded, humble spirit who carries his community on his back and his dreams in his lyrics.
The Gibson Factor: Building Stars, Not Just Hits
Behind every great artist is often a visionary willing to bet on their brilliance before the world catches on. For AYOX, that person is Djibril Gibson Kagni—an award-winning producer whose fingerprints are all over the modern sound of international hip-hop and Afropop. From producing Akon’s Freedom to crafting global bangers with the likes of Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, and Russian superstar Timati, Gibson’s radar for raw talent is almost mythological.
Now, under GProduction, his Atlanta-based music powerhouse, Gibson has taken AYOX under his wing—not just as a producer, but as a mentor in the business of music. “It’s been a great experience,” AYOX says of the relationship. “Beyond music, I’m learning the industry from a close angle. It’s been a really great journey with him so far.”
That journey is now accelerating at the speed of sound.
The Rise: From Loners to Legends
AYOX’s first breakout moment came with “Walking Dead,” a soulful tribute to the late Mohbad, featuring Zlatan. The track landed him on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, marking the arrival of a voice that doesn’t just entertain, it feels.
But it’s 2024 that’s looking like his defining year. His single “Prayed For” is racking up momentum on Spotify and Shazam, resonating with fans hungry for authentic music that hits both the mind and heart. “The message is simple,” AYOX says. “Seek positivity only this year. Block out negative energy.”
This ethos is also woven into his fanbase—affectionately called the Loners—who see him as more than a pop star. They see a mirror. “I used to be a shy kid,” he reflects, “but music became my way of expressing myself.”
Now that expression is evolving into something even more potent.
The EP Era: “Last Son of a Widow” & What Comes Next
AYOX’s debut EP, Last Son of a Widow, was a slow-burn triumph—still charting strong over a year later. Introspective and raw, it marked the beginning of an artist willing to bleed on the mic. But his sophomore EP, set to drop on May 8th, is poised to shift everything.
The first single, “AYO” featuring the legendary Yinka Ayefele, was not just a strategic move—it was personal. “That’s my childhood hero,” AYOX confesses. “To collaborate with him was a dream.” That dream is paying off; within just 12 days, the track skyrocketed to number one in Nigeria, cementing AYOX’s position not just as a next-gen artist, but as a bridge between eras.
The new EP “When Nobody is Watching” promises more—bigger features, sharper production, and a deeper emotional range. Gibson, never one to oversell, is beaming: “We didn’t make a mistake with this kid. He’s going to the next level.”
Staying Grounded in a Skyward Career
Even with millions of streams and trending charts under his belt, AYOX remains deeply rooted. He continues to champion the values of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and community service. “I don’t have a fixed creative process,” he shares. “I just feel. I make music based on my emotions.”
It’s this honesty, paired with the business acumen he’s absorbing from GProduction, that’s turning him from a local voice into a global contender.
Final Words from a Star in the Making
Asked what advice he’d give new artists trying to break through the noise, his response is disarmingly honest: “Don’t be too emotionally attached to the music.” It’s a paradoxical truth. Create with your soul, but move with your mind.
As Afrobeat continues its global ascension, it’s artists like AYOX: empathic, fearless, real; who ensure the genre’s soul stays intact. And with Gibson Kagni’s visionary guidance, the sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the starting point.
AYOX’s upcoming EP drops May 8th on all platforms. Follow him on Instagram @iamayox_lp and TikTok @ayoxlp to stay plugged in.