Interview

Lojay Is On the Rise

Earlier this year, the Nigerian artist released a stellar debut EP in collaboration with Sarz, which contains a sole feature from Wizkid.

"Tonongo," one of the stronger afrobeats singles of 2021, came out back in May courtesy of Lojay and producer Sarz. The subtly sultry song primed the singer's riveting debut EP, LV N ATTN.

As soon as word went around of a Wizkid feature on Lojay's project, listeners questioned how he managed to secure the elusive StarBoy verse. The answer was a Sarz co-sign and a lot of patience, which culminated in a wholesome surprise made viral by the internet.

"It was my genuine reaction to hearing someone I had grown up listening to and watching him do all these things with afrobeats, creating my desire through his actions, now be on a song with me — and it's on my first official tape — like what!? It was a very amazing feeling to say the least, and the video shows you the raw reaction to that."

The 5-song LV N ATTN EP presents a medley of R&B, electro, and amapiano sounds built on an afrobeats base, forming a cohesive body of work worth every replay. Listeners have fashioned terms such as "Afro-sexy" & "Afro-sensual" for the EP, but Lojay chooses to describe it differently, "The best way for me to explain it maybe is Afro-fusion, but then I feel like that's a cheat code, 'cause you can just put 'Afro' behind everything. So simply, I make Lojay music, that's every genre."

Below, we caught up with the rising singer to discuss working with Sarz and Wizkid, and dabbling in different genres while residing in a familiar space.

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News Brief

Listen to Lojay & Sarz' New Collaborative EP 'LV N ATTN'

The Nigerian pair come through with a head-turning afro-fusion EP which includes a feature from Wizkid.

Newly-rising Nigerian artist Lojayrecently connected with big time producer Sarz for the addictive "Tonongo" single, which we've had on constant repeat ever since it dropped.

The pair are now sharing their full new collaborative EP, LV N ATTN, a collection of 5 songs that sees them presenting a shiny and ear-grabbing take on afro-fusion production. In addition to the buzzing "Tonongo," the duo held no punches in recruiting the superstar status of Wizkid to feature on the EP's title track, "LV N ATTN."

Wizkid's appearance doesn't come as too much of a surprise as Sarz has worked with the Nigerian StarBoy extensively before. He's also produced for huge names like Burna Boy, Skepta, Drake and Beyoncé. "Sonically this EP is refreshing and brings a unique twist to the afro scene," Sarz mentions. "We both had creative freedom making the EP and we hope you love it as much as we did creating it."

"We created a unique sound with the EP taking inspiration from sounds around the globe," Lojay adds. "It's like nothing anyone has ever heard before. It's a genuine representation of where I was at the time I was making it — going through heartbreak and experiencing a wide range of different emotions. Working with Sarz gave me the opportunity to channel these feelings though my music. I hope the world enjoys LV N ATTN as much as I enjoyed making it."

Get into Lojay and Sarz' LV N ATTN below.

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