RALD Announces Debut EP Powered By Pain Vol. 1
Nigerian singer and songwriter RALD, born Emerald Ehiz Ebhodaghe, will release his debut five track EP, Powered By Pain Vol. 1, on September 25, 2026. The project brings together a new body of work after four years of developing his sound and identity through solo releases and collaborations, and includes “OMOX1M,” released on September 10 as his first release of 2026, alongside four previously unreleased tracks.
RALD’s relationship with music began during his secondary school years, when he initially approached it as a rapper. Influenced by 2Face and early experiences watching live concerts, he would search for rap instrumentals online and write stories and records over them. Over time, his singing became the stronger expression of his ideas, leading him toward the singer and songwriter he is today.
His recorded journey began with “Grace Found Me” in 2022, followed by “Eyes Off You,” “Shege” and “One Woman” in 2023. He continued with “Ah” in 2024 and “Serenren” in 2025, gradually building a body of work around melody, emotion and personal experience. The progression of those releases established the foundation for the larger statement he now makes with Powered By Pain Vol. 1.
His work has also opened doors to collaborations beyond his solo catalogue. In November 2025, RALD appeared alongside TxC, Mavo and Shoday on “Welele,” a record that also featured LeeMcKrazy, Al Xapo, W4DE, Carter IV and Smeez & D3AN. Released through TXC Enterprises under exclusive licence to LVRN Records, the record placed RALD within a wider Nigerian and South African dance music network. He was also officially credited as one of the songwriters on the track.
That growing visibility is reflected in the numbers around his music. Spotify currently lists 259,194 monthly listeners for RALD, while a September 2026 Chartmetric snapshot records 260.9K monthly listeners, 10.6K Spotify followers and 1,700 playlist placements. The same snapshot records 552.3K Shazams and 153.7 million views for his top TikTok video, providing a picture of the audience his music has reached across streaming, discovery and social platforms.
With that foundation in place, Powered By Pain Vol. 1 gives RALD his first opportunity to present several songs as one complete project. The five track EP creates a wider frame for his writing and performance, allowing listeners to encounter a more connected picture of the artist after years of individual releases.
The title Powered By Pain draws from the experiences and emotions that have shaped this period of RALD’s life and music. Across the five tracks, those experiences become part of a wider story about growth, ambition, vulnerability and the things that shape an artist’s perspective. With “Vol. 1,” RALD leaves the door open for that story to continue, giving the project a sense of arrival while introducing a new chapter in his creative journey.
