Lagos-based singer-songwriter Noirwav isn’t just making music—he’s telling stories. Deeply inspired by film, fashion, and the intricacies of human emotion, Noir approaches songwriting as a form of storytelling, using narrative to pass messages across to his listeners. Whether drawing from personal experiences or the lives of others, his music explores themes like heartbreak, desire, frustration, and adoration with a sincerity that resonates beyond genre boundaries.

A self-described student of R&B, Noir spends as much time listening and researching as he does creating. His fascination with sound runs deep; he immerses himself in music history, constantly learning new ways to evolve his craft.

“Upset is about relationship and situationship drama”

Though not always drawn from his own life, Noir’s songwriting remains emotionally charged and sharply observant.

Noir’s performance journey includes surreal moments, like opening for King Sunny Ade in 2017—a full circle experience for him, having grown up on Sunny Ade’s music thanks to his father. Though collaborations aren’t yet a major part of his catalog, he has teamed up with friends-turned-collaborators Sgawd and Higo, proving that authentic connections often spark the best creative partnerships.

Off-stage, Noir is equally expressive with his fashion sense, seeing style as another medium of self-expression. He enjoys watching how people play with clothes and often styles himself, blending his love for fashion and music effortlessly. Still, balancing creativity with promotion and performance remains a work in progress. “It’s one thing to make the music, and then promote it,” he admits, acknowledging the challenge most independent artists face today.

At heart, Noir calls himself a “sad hopeless romantic,” channeling that vulnerability into music that aims to connect with listeners on a personal level—whether through love songs or heartbreak anthems. If he weren’t making music, he imagines he’d be a creative director or web designer, but music will always be the center of his universe, with fashion orbiting close by.
His advice to fellow artists?

“Find yourself and you’ll find your sound—and your tribe.”

Noirwav is on that journey himself, carving out a space where authenticity, artistry, and emotion collide.