We Speak Music
UA.X’s Debut Album ‘Love & Hustle’ is a Lush Fusion of Afrobeats and R&B
Nigerian-born multi-hyphenate creative Seyi Akinlade, widely known as UA.X, steps from behind the camera to claim the spotlight with his debut album Love & Hustle. Best known for his work as a photographer and music video director for acclaimed artists like Tems, Rema, and Lojay, UA.X now channels his creative vision into a nine-track project that blends the warmth of Afrobeats with the emotional pull of R&B. The result is an intimate and dynamic reflection on love and perseverance, wrapped in a sonic signature that is distinctly his own.
Clocking in at just 21 minutes, Love & Hustle wastes no time immersing listeners in its heartfelt exploration of romance and ambition. UA.X strikes a careful balance between the highs and lows of these themes, with much of the album focusing on love’s multifaceted nature—its beauty, its complexity, and its inevitable discomforts. Tracks like “Money & Love” stand out for their emotive vocal delivery, allowing UA.X to showcase his tender, yet powerful voice against atmospheric production.
Production duties were handled by a mix of top-tier talent including TMXO, Nonso Amadi, and Chillz, ensuring a cohesive and immersive sonic experience. The album’s instrumental palette is rich with tonal warmth—layered rhythms, sultry melodies, and reflective beats that weave seamlessly together. Afrobeats grooves provide the backbone, while the unhurried tempo and spacious R&B melodies invite listeners to soak in each moment. This unhurried pace is where UA.X shines; he allows his music to breathe, creating a cinematic, immersive soundscape that feels expansive yet deeply personal.
Love & Hustle isn’t just a musical project for UA.X, it’s a full-circle moment where his visual storytelling experience meets his sonic craftsmanship. His ability to craft worlds visually in the past translates effortlessly into his music, making each song feel like a scene in a movie—stories of passion, hustle, and self-reflection unravel as he weaves his personal narrative through both lyrics and sound.
With Love & Hustle, UA.X announces himself as an artist to watch. His transition from visual director to musician feels seamless, proving not only his versatility but his dedication to creating art in all its forms. This debut album is a bold statement of intent—both intimate and expansive in its sound, and undeniably memorable. As UA.X continues to carve out his space in the music world, Love & Hustle stands as a testament to his ability to blend passion with perseverance, and art with hustle.
Songwriters often draw from personal experience, but what makes Just a Daydream stand out is the way AMBER reshapes those experiences through imagination. Instead of presenting events exactly as they happened, she builds scenes that feel colourful, expressive and full of possibility, giving the songs a distinctive identity from the very beginning.
That approach reflects the idea behind the EP’s title. What begins as a passing thought or a hopeful fantasy gradually develops into something more tangible, carrying listeners through romance, longing, disappointment and, ultimately, self-acceptance. The songs remain connected by that thread, making the EP feel like one continuous conversation rather than a collection of separate ideas.
Musically, AMBER blends soul, jazz, funk and pop touches without allowing any one influence to dominate. The lively pulse of “Say What” explores the confusion that can grow from crossed wires, while “Aromatherapy” offers a gentler close, bringing the emotional journey to a place of calm reflection.
Working with producer Kipper Eldridge, AMBER has created a debut that places storytelling at its heart. Every musical choice supports the atmosphere of the songs, allowing the lyrics and performances to take centre stage. Out now through Now Listen, Just a Daydream is more than a collection of well-made tracks. It is an invitation into a creative world where imagination gives everyday emotions a fresh perspective and where even the smallest moments have a story worth telling.
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