Rayce

Rayce, born Rayce Amoni Kingsley in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 8, 1983, stands among the foremost voices in Afrobeats, the style fusing hip-hop, EDM, R&B, and African rhythms. Early exposure to Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie through television broadcasts prompted him to experiment with music himself, and by age six he had committed to becoming a star. His first performing experience came as the drummer in his church band. An interest in studio craft soon followed, leading him to gain hands-on production knowledge at several Lagos facilities. He began producing other acts under the name Admire Beatz, then issued his own recordings in 2002 while sharpening his songwriting and vocal abilities. A contract with Big Don Records in 2008 yielded his debut album, Get Lifted. After working mainly behind the scenes, he moved to center stage in 2011 when the single “Roll” achieved widespread success across Nigeria. Additional hits such as “Wetin Dey,” “Jack Sparrow,” and “21 Love” preceded the 2015 release of his second album, D.C.M.R. (“Dey Call Me Rayce”). Domestic recognition reached a new level in 2017 when Shanachie Records, a long-established American independent, issued African Juice, making Rayce the first Afrobeats artist to secure a U.S. deal.