Fast-emerging afro-fusion artiste, Riick, whose sound blends Afrobeats, R&B, and pop influences with emotionally driven storytelling, is introducing a deeply personal chapter of his musical journey with the release of his debut project, After Midnight (EP).

Released on Friday, August 28, the project arrives with a title that does a lot of the storytelling on its own. ‘After Midnight’ is a familiar shorthand for the hours when guards come down, honesty gets easier, and music tends to hit differently.

It’s the kind of framing that promises something more intimate than a typical single-driven release: a body of work meant to be experienced in one sitting, in the quiet stretch of night it’s named for.

Nigerian and African artistes have leaned into similarly moody, late-night sonic territory in recent years, using shorter EP formats to explore a tighter emotional register than a full album typically allows — love, longing, restlessness, and reflection.

Whether After Midnight follows that same emotional through line or charts its own path will become clearer once fans and critics get a proper listen. For Riick, the EP marks a fresh entry into an already crowded conversation.

Having lost both parents at a young age, the budding artiste found solace in music, turning difficult experiences into a source of creative expression. That journey has influenced the emotional character of his sound, which combines vulnerability with rhythm, melody and contemporary African influences.

After Midnight reflects this balance. The project explores emotions and experiences through a sound designed to remain accessible while retaining the personal stories behind the music.

Rather than simply documenting his struggles, Riick uses them as a foundation for creating songs that speak to a wider audience.

The title also evokes the quieter moments when thoughts, memories and emotions become difficult to ignore. It provides an appropriate setting for an artiste whose creative identity has been shaped by reflection and personal experience.

For Benue State native, storytelling is central to music. His approach transforms moments from his own life into records that young listeners can interpret through their own experiences, creating a connection that extends beyond the songs themselves.

His emergence also highlights the growing diversity of Nigeria’s music scene. While Lagos remains a major hub for the country’s entertainment industry, artistes from different parts of the country continue to bring their own experiences, identities and cultural perspectives into contemporary Nigerian music.

Riick’s Benue roots form part of that expanding narrative. His journey demonstrates how personal history and regional identity can coexist with globally accessible sounds such as Afrobeats, R&B and pop.

The EP release, therefore, represents more than another entry into the crowded Nigerian music market. It is an introduction to an artiste using music to turn personal experiences into creative expression.

For an emerging artiste from Benue with a story shaped by loss and resilience, After Midnight could become an important first step towards establishing a lasting voice in Nigeria’s next generation of music. With the project, Riick is not simply asking listeners to hear his music; he is inviting them into a personal journey of pain, healing, growth and hope.