A musical collaboration sends Saskatoon artist on a virtual trip to Lagos, Nigeria

Each week on Saskatoon Morning, we aim to bring you a wide range of music to lift up your day. 

This week on our show we featured a brand new single from Saskatoon hip-hop artist Nigel Bell, who goes by the stage name Nige B. Come Unto Me by Nige B features vocals by Olawale.

Originally from La Ronge, Sask., Nige B played metal and punk music for years, but with the extra time at home this past year he decided to shift gears. He started exploring hip-hop and lo-fi music, and began producing his own tracks. After his debut instrumental EP Circa 1990 was released he started exploring options for collaborating with vocalists.

Through some internet searches he stumbled across a vocal demo by Olawale, a singer from Lagos, Nigeria. Olawale gained attention in his home country by winning a reality show called MTN Project Fame West Africa back in 2013. For Canadians, this contest would be similar to Canadian Idol. Since then, Olawale has continued to expand his solo career.

"When I just heard the instrumental I felt like, man, I have to be on this song," Olawale said, reflecting on first hearing the tracks from Nige B. 

Nige B admits that this latest song is a bit of a different direction for him, but that he is thrilled to be able to release it and loved the process of collaboration. 

"It's like a mixture of two different cultures," Olawale said. 

Both men say the collaboration felt smooth, like they were in the same studio rather than an ocean apart.

Other additions to this weeks playlist include Tania Joy, Madisyn Whajne and more.

Enjoy!

This playlist is updated weekly with new picks from the show.

If you have any music you want to share with the people of Saskatoon, email us at [email protected].