Taves

Taves, stylized as taves, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter whose music draws on Afropop, R&B, soul and folk influences. His career gained wider attention through his association with BNXN and projects including "Are You Listening?" and "Popstar - Side A."

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About Taves

Profile information current to 2026-08-17.

Nigeria · Singer, Songwriter · 1 affiliation

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Known for: Nigerian music; Afropop; R&B; Soul music; Folk-influenced music
Country: Nigeria

Singer
Songwriter

At a glance

Taves is a Nigerian singer-songwriter working across Afropop, R&B, soul and folk-influenced music.
A 2022 reinterpretation of BNXN's "For Days" drew BNXN's attention, and Taves later appeared on "Realize" from the 2023 album "Sincerely, Benson."
He released the eight-track project "Are You Listening?" in July 2024 and was selected for Apple Music's Africa Rising artist-development program that month.
In 2025, Billboard named him African Rookie of the Month and the Headies nominated him for Rookie of the Year.
His eight-song project "Popstar - Side A" was released on July 22, 2026.

Background and musical influences

Taves is associated with Ibadan, although published accounts differ over whether he was raised there or in Port Harcourt. He has identified Nigerian singer-songwriter Aṣa as an early influence and said that her guitar playing prompted him to teach himself the instrument at about nine years old. He has also said that he studied computer science at university for one year before concentrating on music.

Early work and connection with BNXN

Accounts of Taves's early work identify projects titled "The Nest: First Day Out," "17" and "18." He first entered a recording studio in 2019 after his brother arranged a session, and accounts also trace the Taves stage name to that year. In 2022, his reinterpretation of BNXN's "For Days" began a professional relationship connected to To Your Ears Entertainment; he later appeared on "Realize" from BNXN's 2023 album "Sincerely, Benson."

Recorded work

Taves released "Eleyele" in 2023, followed by the eight-track project "Are You Listening?" in July 2024. In August 2025, he issued the two-song project "W2Y," comprising "Way2Yung" and "6ways." His eight-song project "Popstar - Side A" followed in July 2026. Available metadata credits Mother Africa Reigns Supreme as the issuing imprint for his 2025 and 2026 releases.

Industry recognition and affiliations

Apple Music selected Taves for its Africa Rising artist-development program in July 2024. Billboard named him African Rookie of the Month in March 2025, and he received a Rookie of the Year nomination at the 17th Headies Awards. Atlantic Records UK's website contained a roster entry for him as of August 2026, but the available sources do not establish the nature or current exclusivity of his relationships with Atlantic Records UK, Mother Africa Reigns Supreme or To Your Ears Entertainment.

Affiliations

Atlantic Records UK Artist listed on the label roster 2023–present

Timeline

2019 Entered a recording studio for the first time after his brother arranged a session; accounts also trace the creation of the Taves stage name to that year.
2022 His reinterpretation of BNXN's "For Days" drew BNXN's attention and began the professional relationship that led to To Your Ears Entertainment.
2023 Released "Eleyele" and, according to his Billboard interview, subsequently reached a deal with Atlantic Records UK.
2024-07-12 Released the eight-track project "Are You Listening?"
2024-07 Selected for Apple Music's Africa Rising artist-development program.
2025-03 Named Billboard's African Rookie of the Month.
2025 Received a Rookie of the Year nomination at the 17th Headies Awards.
2025-08-22 Released the two-song project "W2Y," containing "Way2Yung" and "6ways," under the Mother Africa Reigns Supreme imprint.
2026-07-22 Released the eight-song project "Popstar - Side A."

Additional verified details

Current context

Apple Music listed "Popstar - Side A," released July 22, 2026, as Taves's latest project. Streaming-service listings can vary by region and may change after the observation date.
Available metadata for Taves's 2025 and 2026 releases identifies Mother Africa Reigns Supreme as the issuing imprint. Release credits establish the imprint used for the recordings but do not by themselves demonstrate an exclusive artist contract.
Atlantic Records UK's website contained a roster entry for Taves. The roster page does not specify whether the listing represents a current exclusive contract, a catalogue relationship, a distribution arrangement or an entry awaiting update.

Biographical facts

Apple Music lists his birth date as June 23, 2003.
He has identified Aṣa as an early influence and said her guitar playing prompted him to teach himself the instrument at about nine years old.
He has said that he studied computer science for one year at university before concentrating on music.
Accounts of his early work identify projects titled "The Nest: First Day Out," "17" and "18."
He appeared on "Realize" from BNXN's 2023 album "Sincerely, Benson."