NIGERIA, Dec. 2 -- Dauda Kahutu Rarara's story begins on the dusty streets of a small town in northern Nigeria, where he spent his early years as an almajiri. Like many children in that tradition, he left home to study the Qur'an under a local malam, living a life of modest means and daily lessons. The experience taught him resilience, discipline, and a deep connection to his cultural roots qualities that would later shape his artistic voice. Though the streets were challenging, they also gave him a keen ear for the rhythms of everyday life, the jokes, the prayers, and the collective yearning for hope that would become the backbone of his music.

As he grew older, Rarara found himself drawn to the power of song to move people. He began co...