up like sun, down like sun - a thread for obongjayar

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finally, a thread for nigerian-born, london-based singer/rapper obongjayar, owner of one of the most otherworldly and powerful voices in music today. hard to describe his style, somehow soothing and aggressive, informed by hip-hop, yes, but also african influences that don't usually inform the popular wave of nigerian afropop. but the main attraction is his voice, a cragged, ancient-sounding thing that seems like he conjures from a lovecraftian ether.

anyway, enough words. he has a new ep out called 'which way is forward?' and everyone should listen to it.

'frens' was one of my favorite songs of last year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pewGVdnjV8

another single from last year, 'still sun,' is also fantastic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba2NdGIXcu8

and definitely check out his live performances. that voices coming out of that young face is a frisson-raising bit of cognitive dissonance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6JI6tDSlTM

ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Friday, 7 February 2020 16:44 (four years ago) link

This is fantastic. So much ground covered in such a short time span.

His voice and phrasing occasionally reminds me of Sizzla.

Tim F, Saturday, 8 February 2020 03:12 (four years ago) link

five months pass...

I like his current ep. He uses some old-school Nigerian afrobeat rhythms on it without sounding retro or forced.

curmudgeon, Wednesday, 5 August 2020 18:11 (three years ago) link

eleven months pass...

new ep with nigerian producer sarz is a bit of a smoothing out of his signature style, but you can't fully tame that voice. it's more of an attempt to fit within more of an uptempo, danceable, mainstream afrobeats framework and i think it succeeds, especially on the first two tracks "sweetness" and "gone girl."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsW209gAYR4

bezos did the dub (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 3 August 2021 22:10 (two years ago) link

six months pass...

new song! not sure how i feel about this one, but always interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm4tFkMnjyY

roflrofl fight (voodoo chili), Thursday, 3 February 2022 15:43 (two years ago) link

one month passes...

new song is a bit more romantic than usual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-BsluU-pYI

in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Monday, 28 March 2022 16:34 (two years ago) link

one month passes...

really digging it. “i wish it was me” is gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8sUYanjk4I

in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 17 May 2022 13:01 (one year ago) link


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