Josh Dre

Born in Lagos from Akwa Ibom state, with maternal roots from Osun state, Nigeria, singer-songwriter Joshua Akpan popularly known as Josh Dre started making music from a young age, playing Djembe drums and back up singing in church. He began writing covers in high school and continued through college, when he also recorded his first few demos. In 2014, he self-released his debut original song, and since then, he has been growing his fanbase.

Fine tuning his sound with each release, it was no surprise he became one of Central University's hottest music artists around 2016/2017, with two consecutive nominations for most entertaining students. His ability to engage with live audiences and deliver electrifying performances at events or concerts, like the Black Star International Film Festival in 2020, where he was the headlining act, is a career-defining skill.

The afrofusion/afrobeats sensation embraces new soundscapes and creativity at every level as he mixes his unique silky vocal texture with an eclectic range of groovy rhythms, sounds and catchy melodies. Known for his euphonious harmonies and unique composition arrangements, some of his primary influences include the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:3wcj11K77LjEY1PkEazffa" data-name="Burna Boy">Burna Boy</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3WzoYG00RDcrAD5ZPAUmPy" data-name="Styl-Plus">Styl-Plus</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6swbkgPRm0Gxw4jBo3ykUB" data-name="Paul Play">Paul Play</a> Dairo, <a href="spotify:artist:3tVQdUvClmAT7URs9V3rsp" data-name="Wizkid">Wizkid</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2n4DcAtRMvfyRX3ljeC8Kp" data-name="2Baba">2Baba</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6zKu61RG80pBKOMUbBKNMr" data-name="Kwabena Kwabena">Kwabena Kwabena</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0LFsP7WPfu5inz9a1amcE4" data-name="R2Bees">R2Bees</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1fYVmAFB7sC7eDoF3mJXla" data-name="Wande Coal">Wande Coal</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3orxvFDFViCLknRO2O2m8a" data-name="Don Jazzy">Don Jazzy</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:42IUN9kTPdUdI1kre6L7Wk" data-name="P-Square">P-Square</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3TVXtAsR1Inumwj472S9r4" data-name="Drake">Drake</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3Isy6kedDrgPYoTS1dazA9" data-name="Sean Paul">Sean Paul</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6vWDO969PvNqNYHIOW5v0m" data-name="Beyoncé">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7bXgB6jMjp9ATFy66eO08Z" data-name="Chris Brown">Chris Brown</a>. He draws inspiration from life and its experiences, love, pain, women, his environment, hustle, and most importantly God.