Black Hibiscus

“I make music in a way I want to see the world,” says Black Hibiscus. “Depending on the day, I’ll listen to different things and write in different ways. It could be hip-hop, R&B, alternative, psychedelic rock or whatever.” Black Hibiscus’s musical diversity is on full display with Growing Pains, the musician’s latest album and fourth official release.

The Nigerian-born artist Black Hibiscus, moved to the U.S. at the age of 13 to attend school in Georgia. He eventually relocated to New York in 2023 and used the cityscape as inspiration. “It’s been great here,” he says. “You step outside and everyone is working hard on their path.” (That said, he notes, “My first winter here was kind of difficult.”)

Growing Pains showcases both a broad musical spectrum and the singer’s personal growth — and the trials and tribulations that come from those life-changing experiences. It’s hectic, experimental, intimate and always unpredictable, while showcasing thoroughly unique voice at its heart. While the music has certainly broadened, Growing Pains (as a title) reflects more on the musician’s mindset. “It’s thematically about a period of time where you’re without the safety net of academics and you’re going through a phase of discovery,” he says. “You’re becoming a real person for the first time.”