New music to listen to this week: Aadae

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Growing up in a strict Nigerian-Christian home, Aadae would spend the time she wasn't in church rifling through her father's record collection, singing with her brother and sister.

"My mum was religiously strict," she explains, "but weirdly, and against Nigerian norms, she encouraged us in music. In her mind I think it acted as a disctraction from gangs, gun and drug culture."

Along with the Yoruba gospel, reggae, 90s Afro-juji and 70s Afrobeat she found at home, Aadae would later discover UK funky house, early jazz and neo-soul, plus artists such as MIA and Little Dragon.

"I describe my sound as a pop-lover's take on the classic Afrobeat form," she says. "It was always important to me that my music told my story. Whatever I do has to represent my British upbrining as well as my Nigerian heritage."

Check out our premiere of

Q&A with Aadae

What are you listening to at the moment?

At the moment I have the Vince Staples album on repeat! After watching his recent interview with the Breakfast Club Power 105, his track ‘Big Fish’ really caught my attention. His album doesn’t disappoint…It feels like a throwback to 1998.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

The rest of my year is shaping up nicely. At the moment I am building up to the release of my debut EP and some really cool collaborations. I will also be playing more gigs with my band (who are amazing).

What was the first gig you ever played and what's been the best so far?

Besides the awkward clarinet recitals/concerts for my teachers and parents at school, the first gig I played was at home. I invited all my friends and played a couple of songs with the only four chords I knew on guitar!

In the last few months so many cool things have happened. The highlight of my journey so far has been playing the Village Underground where I opened for Oumou Sangare. It was a really amazing to connect with so many people face to face and share the stage with a legend.