From Port Harcourt to Dubai: How Edenojie is Carving a Soulful Lane in Afrobeats

In an era when Afrobeats is rapidly spreading its roots across continents, some artistes are not just riding the wave—they’re reshaping it. One such voice belongs to Edenojie, a singer-songwriter whose blend of soul, R&B, and Afro-inspired rhythms is both deep and clear. In a recent interview, the rising artist takes us on a journey of roots, growth, and revelation.

The conversation begins with a gentle check-in: “How are you doing?” It’s a simple question, but opens the door to something more intimate. There’s a calm presence to him—one that hints at someone who doesn’t just make music, but lives inside it.

Asked about the state of Afrobeats in Dubai, his current base, he pauses before responding with thoughtful optimism. While the genre is yet to reach the same heights it enjoys in cities like Lagos or London, he believes it’s gaining steady traction.

“It’s still growing here,” he explains. “But there’s a hunger. People are curious, open, and willing to vibe. It’s just a matter of time before the scene fully blossoms.”

That sense of slow but sure growth mirrors his journey. Long before Dubai, long before the studio lights and performances, there was Port Harcourt, a city steeped in creativity, culture, and chaos. It was there, within the walls of a faith-filled home, that his love for music began.

“I grew up on gospel,” he shares. “That was my first sound. Church music. Powerful choirs. Harmonies that shook the room. That kind of music teaches you how to feel, not just sing.”

It’s a foundation that still echoes in his work today. Even when layering Afrobeats rhythms or R&B melodies, there’s always a deeper resonance, an intentionality that comes from singing with purpose.

His influences span genres and generations. He recalls listening to Kirk Franklin, whose spiritual intensity taught him how to own a stage. Later came the likes of Burna Boy, who showed what it means to be bold, genreless, and unapologetically African.

“They taught me that you can be rooted in tradition but still experimental. That’s my sound; a mix of everything that made me.”

The artist isn’t afraid to lean into emotion. It’s one of his strongest traits. His music often feels like a conversation—a personal letter shared with whoever is willing to listen. When asked about where that vulnerability comes from, his answer is simple:

“Life,” he says. “Everything I’ve been through. Every silence, every goodbye, every small win… I carry it into my music. That’s where the soul comes from.”

That intention is evident in his track “See You Again”, a haunting yet beautiful ballad that explores longing, memory, and emotional release. Though he keeps the exact inspiration close to the chest, there’s no mistaking the honesty in the delivery.

“That song came from a real place,” he shares. “It’s one of those you don’t write—you feel it and it just flows out. I wanted people to hear it and feel like it was their story too.”

Blending R&B, soul, and Afro-inspired rhythms, his music walks a delicate line between classic and contemporary. There’s groove, there’s melody, but above all, there’s heart.

“I’m not just trying to make catchy songs,” he says. “I want to create moments. Songs that heal. Songs that stay.”

As the conversation draws to a close, we ask the inevitable: where does he see his sound in the next few years? His response is layered with both ambition and humility.

“I see it evolving, no doubt,” he says. “But not just in sound—spiritually too. I want the music to go deeper, to reach further. I want to collaborate more, tell bigger stories, and represent where I’m from while touching where I’m going.”

From Port Harcourt’s gospel choirs to the multicultural spaces of Dubai, his journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: he’s not here to follow trends. He’s here to build a legacy—one soulful, spirit-filled song at a time.