UssehAt just 29, Usseh Peter Bryan Edako is a man of extraordinary contrasts. By day, he commands the open seas as a sailor; by night, he becomes a soulful artist whose music ripples through Nigeria’s evolving soundscape. Seamlessly blending R&B, pop, hip-hop, trap, and Afrobeats, Usseh stands out as a genre-defying force, carving his path in a music industry that often resists reinvention. His story is as fluid as the tides he navigates—a journey defined by passion, persistence, and an unwavering dedication to his craft.
Growing up, Usseh’s household was steeped in music, with the rhythms of Michael Jackson, Fela Kuti, and others forming the soundtrack of his childhood. “Music was always present,” he reflects. “My dad would randomly start playing records, and my mom was always singing. It was inescapable.” However, despite his deep love for music, Usseh battled with self-doubt. Early on, his siblings teased him about his singing, forcing him to keep his budding talent hidden. But by the time he reached secondary school, his voice was impossible to ignore. “Teachers and friends started to notice,” he recalls with a smile. “That’s when I knew I couldn’t keep it in anymore.”
The real turning point came during college. Usseh entered the prestigious Mr. University competition and walked away with seven out of eight awards, including Best in Talent for his singing and dancing. That night, the spotlight found him, and since then, he hasn’t looked back. “Music gives me life,” he says. “It’s my refuge, my joy, my way of expressing what words can’t.”
Crafting a Signature Sound Usseh’s inspirations are musical giants: Michael Jackson, Drake, Usher, Lil Wayne, and of course, Fela Kuti. But what sets him apart is how he distills these influences into something entirely his own. “I’m not trying to imitate anyone,” he explains. “Each artist has left a mark on me, but I’m constantly evolving.” His sound is unpredictable and constantly shifting—a dynamic that evokes comparisons to The Weeknd, though Usseh is quick to emphasize, “I’m a lot more versatile.”
A key figure in Usseh’s musical awakening was his sister, who introduced him to the softer side of R&B. While his childhood was filled with superheroes like Batman and Superman, his sister’s playlist of Kelly Rowland and Ashanti struck a chord he didn’t fully understand until much later. “I used to hate it,” he admits, laughing. “But as I got older, I started to appreciate those love songs. They taught me how to connect emotionally with my music.”
Today, Usseh’s voice is an instrument in itself, morphing to suit the story he wants to tell. “I can be raw, smooth, powerful, or subtle,” he says. “It depends on where the music takes me. I refuse to be boxed in.”
Music as Storytelling For Usseh, music is more than entertainment—it’s a form of storytelling that connects people through shared experiences. “I write from the heart,” he says. “My songs are about what I’ve lived, what I’ve felt, and what I’ve seen. We all go through highs and lows, and I want my music to reflect that.” His writing process is intuitive and often spontaneous. “Sometimes, the melody leads me,” he explains. “The chords tell me what the song should be about, and I just follow where it takes me.”
One song that holds special meaning for Usseh is Control. It’s a track layered with meaning, though he prefers to leave the interpretation to his listeners. “It’s deeper than it sounds,” he says enigmatically. His ability to evoke powerful emotions while leaving space for personal interpretation is part of what makes him such a captivating artist.
Redefining the Nigerian Sound The Nigerian music industry has long been dominated by Afrobeats, but Usseh isn’t interested in conforming to any single genre. “I’m not your typical Afrobeats artist,” he says confidently. “And that’s okay. The industry is changing, and there’s room for different voices and sounds.” He points to artists like Omah Lay, Fireboy, and Tems as trailblazers who are reshaping the landscape of Nigerian music. “This is an exciting time to be making music in Nigeria. Audiences are ready for something fresh, and I’m here to deliver.”
As he looks to the future, Usseh’s ambitions go beyond personal success. He’s determined to continue growing as an artist, while also using his platform to give back. “I want to build a community,” he says. “I want to inspire the next generation of artists and show them that they don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold.”
Whether he’s sailing the open seas or commanding the music scene stage, Usseh Peter Bryan Edako is charting his own course. And with his talent, vision, and relentless drive, it’s clear that he’s destined for greatness.
