RnB star Maleek Berry has dropped "Lately,"from his highly anticipated debut album, If Only Love Was Enough which is set for release on 27th September.
On "Lately," Maleekteams up with Nigerian Afro-fusion sensation Ruger,delivering a powerful collaboration that blends their signature vocals with Maleek’s top-tier production.
Together, they are making their mark on the vibrant global Afrobeats scene. Currently immersed in album mode, Maleek kicked things off last month with the release of "Secrets," the first single from his debut album. He followed it up with a trip to New York, where he performed alongside DJTunezat AfroCarnival.
Maleek Berry has cultivated a loyal fan base that has supported him throughout his evolution from a groundbreaking producer to an international artist.
Born and raised in Clapham, South London, Maleek was deeply influenced by the area's rich musical heritage. Growing up near the iconic So Solid Crew, who paved the way for aspiring artists, he found inspiration to pursue his musical dreams. His passion for music was ignited during his secondary school years when he began creating beats for a local Grime group. In 2011, wanting to reconnect with his roots, Maleek returned to Lagos and began producing music for artists like Davidoand Wizkid. From that point on, he has been instrumental in introducing the world to the sounds emerging from Africa, particularly Afrobeats, playing a pivotal role in bringing these genres to a global audience.
Since his debut single in 2021, Ruger,born Michael Adebayo Olayinka, has emerged as a dynamic force in the African music scene, swiftly garnering recognition and acclaim. That same year, he earned nominations for prestigious awards such as AFRIMMA's "Most Promising African Artiste" and clinched the AFRIMMA trophy for ‘Best Newcomer.’
The momentum continued into 2022, with a nomination for ‘Next Rated’ at The Headies. In 2023, Ruger secured the AFRIMMA accolade for ‘Best Male West Africa’and the Soundcity MVP award for "Best New Artiste," affirming his rising star status. Embarking on a triumphant European tour that same year, Rugershowcased his captivating music to a global audience. Rugerhas unveiled a string of high-calibre projects in just two years, beginning with his debut EP ‘Pandemic,’ followed by ‘The Second Wave’and its deluxe edition. His breakout single ‘Asiwaju’soared to the summit of charts in Nigeria and claimed the number three.
Tracks like ‘Girlfriend’and ‘Bounce’ further solidified his international appeal. Ruger's debut album,‘Ru the World,’ featuring chart-topping lead singles ‘Kristy’ and ‘Tour,’firmly establishes him as a trailblazing artist renowned for his distinctive style and magnetic music. Last year, Ruger also shared his debut album, Ru The World, which debuted at number10 on the U.S. Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.
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