A Bradford singer has told how anxiety and grief in the face of losing her mum inspired her debut EP.

Afrobaby, the alter ego of Vanessa Ndukuba, describes her songs as ‘music to have vulnerable convos to’.

The 30-year-old’s floaty liquid drum and bass tunes - mixed with hints of electronica and indie - are messages on healing, anxiety, love, and mourning.

The ‘W8ing’ singer is now set to ramp things up after a sparkling performance at St George’s Hall, recognition from BBC Music Introducing, and a series of radio plays.

Afrobaby’s first EP, 'SAFE SPACE', is set to be released on November 22.

Afrobaby performed at St George's Hall as the first part of Bradford's year-long City of Culture programme was unveiled Afrobaby performed at St George's Hall as the first part of Bradford's year-long City of Culture programme was unveiled (Image: BD25)

Vanessa, who grew up in Holme Wood and now lives in East Bowling, said her latest music explores some of her deepest thoughts yet.

Her passion for music started early as she grew up to the sound of her mum's favourite singers. 

Raised on Bob Marley, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston, Vanessa got involved in the school choir and musicals towards the end of primary school.

View shows the exterior of St George's Hall View shows the exterior of St George's Hall (Image: Nigel Hillier/BD25) “I learned guitar about 14 or 15," Vanessa said. 

"Around that time, I was still doing school musicals, school choir."

Soon after, the former Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College student ventured into song writing.

Afrobaby, pictured during her performance at St George's Hall when the first part of Bradford's year-long City of Culture programme was unveiled Afrobaby, pictured during her performance at St George's Hall when the first part of Bradford's year-long City of Culture programme was unveiled (Image: BD25) “There was quite a lot going on in my life,” she said.

“When my Granddad passed away I started to write about how I was feeling. It’s quite a lonely thing to go through even if you’re going through it with relatives, friends, or family. Everybody’s process is different.

“It’s quite a hard thing to talk about. If someone listens to my stuff they just feel less alone and don’t feel that pressure like they have to rush to get through grief.

Afrobaby, picturedAfrobaby, pictured (Image: Teigen Bashford)

“With the EP that’s more focusing on anxieties, how that affects my day to day life, my self esteem. It’s not so much about grief. There is a mental health focus. But there are more songs going to come that will kind of delve a bit further into grief.

“It’s like a coping mechanism."

What started off as a hobby is now a career for Vanessa, who dreams of performing at festivals and helping people through music therapy.

She said: “Even writing the lyrics, turning something like a negative feeling into a positive, transmuting, it’s been something I’ve turned to in dark times.

“When my mum passed away it did something to my confidence. My mum used to come to quite a lot of my gigs. After that time that’s when I got more into production and recording. It built my confidence.”

Looking ahead to Bradford’s cultural year, she said: “It does feel like Bradford’s having the moment it deserves.

"There’s a lot of great artists that come from Bradford. It does give us confidence.

"For a long time there was a lot of negative connotations about Bradford but that’s changing.”

You can find Afrobaby on Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud, Kycker, TikTok, and Instagram.