Ric Hassani is one of the fast rising Nigerian vocalists, who you be should taken more seriously.

The 27-year-old has been nominated for the 2016 Headies ‘Best Vocal Performance’ award alongside Brymo, Darey, Shaydee and Wande Coal for his 2015 song, ‘Gentleman’.

That single also saw rapper, Ice Prince jump on the beat with a verse for the remix.

Hassani will also be performing at Femi Kuti’s Abuja concert alongside Jesse Jagz and Niniola on November 18, further proof of his steady rise.

Hassani is one of the artists you should listen to if you like the sounds of Timi Dakolo, Darey and Praiz.

The singer became such a big deal when he first came out with ‘Depression’ in 2013, emerging as a breath of fresh air for R&B, a genre that’s honestly stagnant.

In 2014 however, he didn’t get the best reviews when he covered Yemi Alade’s biggest song ‘Johnny’, a cover that was considered a flop. But then, such a song is not his style.

In the end, it’s not that his sound doesn’t have its forerunners, he simply is new on the scene and getting the hang of it well.