Austin Iornongu Iwar Jr., professionally known as Tay Iwar, was born on 9 June 1997 in Lagos, Nigeria, and is a celebrated Nigerian singer, songwriter, composer, sound engineer, and record producer whose genre-defying blend of R&B, Afro-fusion, soul, and alternative sounds has distinguished him as a leading voice in contemporary African music. Raised between the vibrant cultural hubs of Lagos and Abuja, Iwar’s musical journey began early; influenced by his family and environment, he started creating music at the age of 14 using digital production software, which laid the foundation for his multifaceted artistry. Encouraged by his elder brother, Suté Iwar, who was already involved in music, Tay began experimenting with music production as a teenager, teaching himself to use FL Studio and other digital tools. This early immersion in music helped him develop a strong foundation in songwriting, sound engineering, and production before he formally entered the professional music industry. Throughout his career, Iwar has been recognized for his introspective songwriting, emotive production, and creative leadership within Nigeria’s alté and Afro-fusion scenes. Tay Iwar maintains a relatively private personal life, choosing to let his artistic output reflect his depth and emotional honesty rather than spotlighting details of his private affairs. His dedication to craftsmanship and authenticity underscores his professional ethos and reinforces his reputation as an artist focused foremost on creative excellence and artistic integrity.
Four: Gabriel
“Gabriel” is widely recognized as Tay Iwar’s debut track and serves as a foundational record in his artistic journey, introducing his signature introspective and emotionally driven sound. Released on the 20th of April 2014, the song blends alternative R&B and soul influences with minimalist production, placing emphasis on vulnerability, lyrical honesty, and mood rather than commercial structure. Gabriel explores themes of self-reflection, emotional conflict, longing, and inner dialogue, presenting Tay Iwar as an artist willing to confront personal emotions openly. This track has garnered over 1K views on YouTube. Nationally, Gabriel played a significant role in establishing Tay Iwar as a notable voice within Nigeria’s alternative and underground music community. The track gained attention through online platforms and peer recognition, particularly among listeners seeking emotionally resonant and non-conventional Nigerian music. It contributed to the growing visibility of the alté movement by demonstrating that Nigerian artists could successfully create deeply personal, genre-fluid music outside dominant Afrobeats trends. While not a commercial chart-driven release, the song’s authenticity and emotional depth allowed it to travel organically beyond Nigeria, earning appreciation from global listeners who connected with its universal themes of vulnerability and self-expression. Gabriel ultimately stands as an important artistic statement, marking the beginning of Tay Iwar’s career and foreshadowing the emotional sincerity, sonic experimentation, and artistic integrity that would later define his work on a larger international stage.
FYI
- Though details about his relationships and day-to-day life are not widely publicized, he is known for his introspective lyrical content which often draws from personal experiences and inner reflections, offering listeners insight into his worldview through his music.
Three: Don’t lie
“Don’t Lie” is a standout track by Nigerian singer‑songwriter Tay Iwar, released on 9 June 2023 as part of his Summer Breeze project and also issued as a standalone single under the CoolSweat label, showcasing his rich fusion of alternative R&B and soul influences. The song, co‑written by Iwar alongside collaborators including Kevin Ekofo and Richard Isong and produced in part by noted UK‑based producer P2J, features layered vocals, introspective lyricism, and a smooth yet emotionally charged arrangement that explores themes of honesty, vulnerability, and relational disillusionment through poetic storytelling. Garnering over 8.6M streams on Spotify and over 252K views on YouTube, “Don’t Lie” reinforced Iwar’s artistic evolution and solidified his reputation within Nigeria’s alternative and independent music community as a creator capable of combining emotive narrative with sophisticated production quality, contributing to wider recognition among listeners seeking depth beyond mainstream Afrobeats. Internationally, the track garnered attention through digital platforms and global music curators who value nuanced R&B and soul, helping expand his reach beyond Nigeria’s borders and resonating with audiences drawn to authentic, emotionally resonant songwriting. Although not defined by major chart placements, its presence on streaming services and platforms such as YouTube — where official uploads have reached tens of thousands of views — underscores the global resonance of his sound and the broader appeal of African alternative music in the international R&B landscape.
Two: Sex On The Beach
“Sex on the Beach” is a sultry, genre-blending single by Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer Tay Iwar, officially released on 12 December 2025 through CoolSweat and Benin City Entertainment with distribution by Sparta, marking his latest artistic statement that fuses breezy R&B, Afro-fusion rhythms, and pop-leaning sensibilities into a succinct, intoxicating soundscape that runs just under three minutes. It has garnered over 366K streams on Spotify and over 30K views on YouTube. The track showcases Iwar’s signature production depth and intimate vocal delivery as he explores themes of desire, intimate connection, and emotional vulnerability, all wrapped in lush, tropical-inspired instrumentation that reflects both sensuality and warmth. Since its release, “Sex on the Beach” has achieved notable editorial playlist placements on influential global and regional streaming curations such as Buttah, Afrobeats & Chill, New Music Friday, and R&B Weekly, signalling its wide appeal across genre communities and its resonance with both R&B and Afro-fusion audiences. Nationally, the single reinforced Iwar’s role as a central figure in Nigeria’s alté and contemporary R&B landscape, appealing to listeners who seek emotive, rhythmically rich music that expands beyond mainstream Afrobeats formats, while highlighting his artistic evolution toward a more pop-oriented yet still expressive sound. The track’s strong presence on curated playlists and enthusiastic reception among international listeners signal an expanding footprint for Tay Iwar’s music, illustrating how his fusion of Afro-inspired rhythms and modern R&B can captivate audiences beyond Nigeria and contribute to broader recognition of African alternative music on the world stage.
Awards/Nominations
- Tay Iwar has received several official industry nominations that reflect his contributions both as a performer and a collaborator. At the 14th edition of The Headies (Nigeria’s major music awards), he was nominated for Best Vocal Performance (Male) for his song “Utero”, highlighting industry recognition of his vocal artistry on his 2019 album Gemini.
- He was also nominated for “Artist of the Year (Rest of Africa)” at the South African Music Awards in 2022 for his Love and Isolation project, which underscores his impact across the African continent beyond Nigeria alone.
- Internationally, Tay Iwar earned a nomination at the Grammy Awards through his songwriting contributions — specifically for his work on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition), which was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
Discography
- Passport (2014)
- Renascentia (2016)
- Gemini (2019)
- Gold (2019)
- Summer Breeze (2023)
One: True Love by Wizkid ft. Tay Iwar & Projexx
“True Love,” by Wizkid featuring Tay Iwar and Projexx, stands as a pivotal milestone in Tay Iwar’s career, marking his most significant breakthrough on a global scale and firmly positioning him within the mainstream international music conversation. Released in October 2020 as part of Wizkid’s critically acclaimed Made In Lagos album, the track introduced Tay Iwar’s distinct vocal texture and alternative R&B sensibility to a vastly expanded audience beyond Nigeria’s alternative music community. His contribution to the song demonstrated his ability to seamlessly integrate his introspective, soulful style into a globally successful Afrobeats project, proving both his versatility and artistic maturity. The widespread success of True Love—bolstered by the album’s international acclaim, extensive global streaming, and later recognition through Grammy nominations for Made In Lagos (Deluxe)—significantly elevated Tay Iwar’s industry profile and visibility. This track has garnered over 55.4M streams on Spotify and over 5.8M views on its official music video on YouTube. For Tay Iwar, the song served as a bridge between the alternative space he was already respected in and the global mainstream music industry, opening doors to larger collaborations, increased international listenership, and greater industry credibility. As a result, True Love is widely regarded as the biggest hit of Tay Iwar’s career to date, representing a defining moment that expanded his reach, validated his artistry on a global stage, and accelerated his growth as one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognized alternative artists.