“I started exploring Indian music more out of curiosity"
In an era of algorithmic hits and fleeting fame, AFRIKahN is offering something far deeper: soul.
Raised in rural Kaduna, Nigeria, his music is rooted in gospel, Afrobeat, and soul, but it’s also shaped by a connection many wouldn’t expect.
A childhood encounter with Indian humanitarian workers during a flood crisis left a lasting mark.
That moment would spark a lifelong admiration for Indian culture and eventually influence the sound of his debut single ‘Invisible’, which is releasing in October 2025.
His debut EP, One Life, will be released in December 2025.
Now signed to UK-based Multination Records, AFRIKahN is poised to bridge worlds, not just through collaboration, but through shared emotion and global intent.
In an exclusive interview with DESIblitz, AFRIKahN spoke about his music journey and his connection to India.
Raised by Gospel, Afrobeat and Soul
AFRIKahN’s debut EP, One Life, blends gospel, Afrobeat, and soul into something uniquely personal.
And it is a fusion that came naturally.
He explained: “It’s the music that raised me.
“Gospel gave me my voice, Afrobeat gave me my rhythm, and soul gave me my emotional language.
“I didn’t sit down trying to fuse them, it just kind of came naturally.
“I grew up in a place where church choirs and street beats were part of the same day. My sound is just an honest reflection of that.”
That authenticity runs through every track.
His sound doesn’t chase trends. It reflects the life he’s lived, one shaped by rhythm, harmony, and emotion from day one.
International Collabs, Universal Emotions
Collaborating with producers from the UK and the US pushed AFRIKahN’s creativity. He credits the experience with sharpening his writing and delivery.
“Collaborating across borders made me realise how universal certain emotions are.
“Pain, ambition, love, doubt, they sound different in every culture, but the feelings behind them are the same.”
Working with UK teams brought structure and helped refine the storytelling on ‘Invisible’. It’s Afro-fusion, but with sharper edges and unexpected flavours.
The result is a sound that moves beyond genre and speaks across cultures.
A Childhood Moment That Changed Everything
AFRIKahN’s connection to India began not with music, but with kindness.
“Yes for real. It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” he said, recalling the aftermath of a 2012 flood in Kaduna.
“After a natural disaster in our region – flooding around 2012, there was a humanitarian response, and one of the aid organisations involved was from India.
“I was just a boy, but the kindness they showed left a mark on me.
“They weren’t just giving supplies, they were giving dignity. That stayed with me and always will.”
That early experience stayed with him long after the aid workers left.
AFRIKahN continued: “It made me understand the power of compassion that crosses culture.
“That was the first time I saw real international solidarity, and it made me believe that being from a non-Western place doesn’t mean your impact has to be small.”
It also shaped his creative mission: to build bridges through music, as he added:
“It planted a seed in me, that music, like aid, could be a bridge between worlds.”
Discovering the Music of India
In his teens, AFRIKahN’s connection to India deepened.
He wasn’t just thinking about humanitarianism. Indian music began to stir something creative.
He said: “I started exploring Indian music more out of curiosity, and I was blown away by the vocal techniques, the emotion, the spirituality, even in mainstream tracks.
“I’d find myself humming melodies I didn’t fully understand, but I felt them deeply.”
That emotional pull turned into artistic inspiration.
Inspired by India’s Biggest Stars
AFRIKahN now counts the likes of rapper Divine and Arijit Singh among his creative influences.
“Divine has that street poet energy and Arijit Singh… his voice hits you in the soul.
“They’re all rooted in identity but aiming for something universal.
“That’s the kind of artist I want to be too, deeply personal, but of course globally relatable.”
Their music helped validate his belief that cultural specificity enhances reach.
Dreaming of a Fusion Future
AFRIKahN has already started sketching concepts for a bold Afro-Indian musical crossover.
He said: “I’ve been dreaming about that for sure. Imagine tabla over a trap beat, or a Carnatic-inspired hook woven into Afrobeats drums.
“I have heard some of the old school music from Ravi Shankar and I mean it’s crazy, it’s deep!”
His vision mixes the complexity of raga with the swagger of hip-hop.
“We could have harmonies that slide like ragas but punch like hip-hop.
“I’ve been sketching out something in my mind, it’s a little raw right now, but I feel like the world’s ready for it soon.”
A Label That Gets the Vision
Behind the scenes, AFRIKahN credits his label, Multination Records, with supporting that boundary-breaking vision.
“100%. From day one, Multination has championed my vision. They literally found me out of nowhere.”
His team includes Pra Fessa, who plays a key role in shaping the creative direction, and labelmate Jhetto.
He stated: “Pra Fessa discovered me on behalf of Multination Records. He has also uncovered Jhetto, another new artist who has been signed up.
“Both of these guys are featuring on my upcoming EP.
“A lot of the concepts are from me and Pra Fessa, we work closely on the music, lyrics, video concepts, everything!
“He is a more behind-the-scenes grafter and takes care of everything.”
He sees Multination as family and a key force in levelling the global playing field.
“The label understands that I’m not just trying to make songs, I’m trying to move way different to that.
“They’ve given me space to explore, introduced me to global collaborators, and will be actively helping me reach out to Indian talent as well.”
What excites AFRIKahN most is Multination’s focus on helping non-Western talent break through, rather than simply importing Western sounds.
“I think they will take over global collabs and help a lot of artists from places like India, South America, and Africa cross over to the UK and America.
“That is their focus, rather than the other way round, which is refreshing.”
New Collaborations on the Horizon
The ideas aren’t just on paper – new collaborations with Indian artists are already in motion.
He hinted:
“There’ve been a few conversations already, yes! Nothing official yet, but exciting things are brewing.”
“I don’t want to give away too much right now, but we are in talks with a few people for a collab on my second EP, which will be released in early 2026.
“It will be next level for sure and you will all know the artists in question, I may have mentioned one of them already. Just watch this space!!!”
India as Part of the Vision
For AFRIKahN, India isn’t just a country he admires, it’s a creative home.
“Along with Pan Africa, the West, East Asia and South America, India feels like a natural future home for my music too.
“It’s a place where rhythm, melody, and emotion are part of everyday life, that sounds just like where I am from and it speaks to me.”
The relationship runs deeper than potential collabs.
He added: “I don’t just want to collaborate with Indian artists, I want to perform there, build community there, and be part of this incredible cultural exchange that’s happening globally.
“India is much more than just part of the journey, it’s part of the vision.”
AFRIKahN’s journey is a reminder that music doesn’t just entertain, it connects.
From the choirs and street beats of Kaduna to the studios of London and the spirit of Indian tradition, his story is built on moments of meaning and movement.
His upcoming single and EP may mark a debut, but they carry years of rhythm, memory, and intention.
As collaborations with Indian artists loom on the horizon, AFRIKahN isn’t just making tracks, he’s building bridges, calling India “part of the vision”.
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