Emerging singer-songwriter and producer Lojay has linked up with fellow Lagos native and prolific, internationally renowned, super-producer Sarz on their brand-new single Tonongo (released via Sony Music Entertainment and Metallic Music).
Tonongo showcases Lojay’s sublime vocals alongside Sarz’s slick production which blends contemporary Afrobeats with urgent hip-Hop and sensual R&B sounds, further establishing him as the go-to producer for heavyweight acts in Nigeria and across the globe such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Skepta, Drake and Beyoncé.
Tonongo is assisted by a must-see visual inspired by Lojay’s own experience of falling in love with a dancer. The single is taken from a forthcoming collaborative EP from the dynamic duo.
Lojay explains: ‘Tonongo’ is about expressing the depth of emotion that lies beyond the surface. The single was inspired by the atmosphere of a strip club – moody and dark – a fitting ode to the dancer the song was written about. I enjoy the duality of the song. It ended up making itself and that’s the beauty of it, the beauty of music. It’s so spiritual. I’m just a vessel. I hope people relate to it and find beauty in it.”
With a musical style largely indicative of his Yoruba roots, Lojay’s previous releases included Ariel in 2019 and 2020’s Ogogoro. The upcoming EP was borne out of Lojay’s determination to persevere through his own dark times during the start of the pandemic last year. Already a huge Sarz fan, after some reflection he decided to reach out for an introduction which led to a face to face meeting between the two acts.
Despite Lojay hoping to collaborate on one song, Sarz decided that they would work on an EP together and a 3 month-long boot-camp in Lagos ensued. Helmed by the explosive Tonongo and its hypnotic visual, the upcoming EP is a reflection on heartbreak and vulnerability, with a sonic journey that will not only make you get up and move but will redefine the parameters of Afrofusion sounds and aesthetics.
When Bernard Dayo isn’t writing about pop culture, he’s watching horror movies and reading comics and trying to pretend his addiction to Netflix isn’t a serious condition.
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