Fast-rising street-pop sensation Ayo Maff has released his debut album titled Prince of the Street, a project that captures the pulse of Nigeria’s inner cities and echoes the voice of a generation grappling with hardship, dreams, and resilience.
In a recent interview with Apple Music Africa Now Radio, the Bariga-bred artist opened up about the deeper purpose behind his music, revealing how fan stories have fueled his drive to stay authentic and relatable.
“It’s when a fan tells me, ‘Your music helped me through depression,’ or ‘You changed my mood,’ that I realise why I keep doing this,” Ayo Maff said. “I have to preach to the people. We’re all going through something, not just me, not just you. Everyone’s battling something.”
His debut album Prince of the Street is more than just a musical offering; it’s a reflective journal of his upbringing in Shomolu-Bariga, one of Lagos’ gritty yet vibrant neighborhoods. The album taps into the lived experiences of the youth, emotional challenges, street survival, economic pressure, and hope, delivering them in raw, melodic form.
“Bariga shaped me,” he told host Nandi Madida. “It influenced my music because I only sing what I know. I’m not out here acting grown or fake, everything I sing about is what I and people around me are living through. It’s real.”
The album includes ‘Baddo’s Song’, a heartfelt tribute to Nigerian hip-hop legend Olamide, whose legacy continues to inspire younger artists like Ayo Maff.
“Big ups to the OGs!” he said. “They opened the door for us. Without them, I don’t think we’d be able to dream or even be where we are right now.”
With Prince of the Street, Ayo Maff positions himself not just as a rising star, but as a street prophet, a voice for the unheard, and a mirror reflecting the realities of everyday Nigerians.
This debut marks a bold chapter in his journey, one he says will allow the world to finally see the colorful, chaotic, and hopeful visions that live inside his head.
