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OBONGJAYAR
Obongjayar's sophomore ‘Paradise Now’, is an ambitiously fresh global prospect, with roots grounded in his own wide-ranging world of influences. It’s everything from pop to punk, dance to Afrobeat, funk to folk, refracted through a thrilling new perspective. “I wanted an album that I could listen to from start to finish on a night out.” But he still considers it something of a Trojan Horse.
Recorded between London and LA with UK alt-rap mainstay Kwes Darko ( Pa Salieu, John Glacier) and Grammy-winning production trio Beach Noise (Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Bakar), the record is as emotionally complex and broad as Obongjayar has ever been, even within its contagious candy coating
Recorded between London and LA with UK alt-rap mainstay Kwes Darko ( Pa Salieu, John Glacier) and Grammy-winning production trio Beach Noise (Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Bakar), the record is as emotionally complex and broad as Obongjayar has ever been, even within its contagious candy coating
TRACK LISTING
TBC
Obongjayar makes his return with a distinct double-single offering; the infectiously danceable and dreamlike pop creation 'Just My Luck', alongside the unflinching and percussive 'Tomorrow Man'. Reflecting on themes of loneliness and laziness respectively, these two sonically contrasting yet cohesive singles serve as an exciting preview of what can be expected from this next chapter.
TRACK LISTING
1. Just My Luck
2. Tomorrow Man
Steven Umoh grew up in Calabar, Nigeria. He was raised by his grandmother; his mother had moved to the UK to escape Umoh's father, who was abusive. Early in his life, he primarily listened to bootleg rap, particularly Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara. Umoh moved to live with his mother in England at the age of 17, but stayed active in the Nigerian music scene. He grew up a devoutly religious Christian, but became less so after he attended university in Norwich. In college he sang primarily in an American accent, influenced by his childhood spent listening to American hip hop music, but he transitioned to singing in his natural Nigerian-British accent before embarking on his professional career. Obongjayar's music has been called "hard to describe", incorporating elements of afrobeat, spoken word, soul, and electronic music. His lyrics incorporate spiritual overtones, although they are not readily identifiable with any specific religious tradition. A unifying feature of all of Obongjayar's music is his very deep voice, which slides between rapping, singing, and spoken word.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: It's really mindblowing work, this. A heady juxtaposition of soulful synth music, minimalist pop and bright, percussive African rhythms all brought together flawlessly and meticulously into a cohesive and unique vision.TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1
1. Try
2. Message In A Hammer
3. Parasite
4. Some Nights I Dream Of Doors
5. Wrong For It
6. Sugar
SIDE 2
1. My Life Can Change Today (Interlude)
2. New Man
3. All The Difference
4. Tinko Tinko (Don't Play Me For A Fool)
5. I Wish It Was Me
6. Wind Sailor