Iyanya has set a Marker For New Sound And
Career Direction
Iyanya was at his waist-twisting and torso-
baring best on Wednesday night when he
unveiled his new EP, Signature. He rolled
back the years by performing live songs
from the highly anticipated 7-track album on
stage at Hard Rock Café, Oniru, Lagos in an
Industry Night Special.
Dressed in a colourful camouflage-jacket,
the Mavin Records artist mounted the stage
at midnight and left no one in doubt inside
the packed hall that he was well and truly
back. Like an artist with a blank canvas
spread out before him, Iyanya jumped,
whined and crooned on the big stage fully
aware that it was his night for the taking,
and he owned it.
On the same night, his seven-track EP was
released online to a global audience and has
since dominated discussions on social
media. Entitled ‘Signature,’ the body of work
was produced by Mavin Records founder,
Don Jazzy assisted by Altims and Baby
Fresh. 
Iyanya has been on a new lease of life since
being backed by leading talent agency,
Temple Management Company and Mavin
Records. As if by celestial conspiracy, the
Lagos weather even attested to Iyanya’s new
found mojo as it gave way to heavy rainfall
that poured while his performance continued
safely inside the comfort of the walls of
Hard Rock Cafe.
His performance was a medley of songs
from his new EP such as Odoyewu, Hold On,
Baby Answer, Not Forgotten, Celebrate,
Nobody Has To Know, Bow For You and
bonus track Up 2 Sumtin featuring Don
Jazzy and Dr Sid.
Attesting to Iyanya’s new found vigour, Dr.
Sid told the audience something many have
never heard about Iyanya. The We Up
crooner had joined Iyanya to perform the hit,
Up 2 Sumtin. To buttress his point further,
Dr. Sid went on to reveal how Iyanya is
having a healthy influence on his Mavin
Records colleagues.
“Iyanya is the best thing to happen to Mavin
Records. He has made the rest of us look
lazy with his work rate and I am not saying
this because he is here. Iyanya has recorded
over 50 songs in less than three months!”
Dr. Sid exclaimed.
The most emotional moment of the night
came when he performed a sober tune, Not
Forgotten, the most introspective song off
his EP and inarguably his most personal to
date. For a moment, it seemed as if the
singer would break down in tears.
At his request, Mavin Records producer,
Altims played the piano in the background
whilst Iyanya stood still, eyes shot and lost
in his own thoughts for what seemed like
forever. Iyanya is an orphan having lost his
parents two years apart in 2008 and 2010.
For Iyanya’s Mavin Records colleagues, the
night was a karaoke session as they sang
ever song line-by-line with the musician.
Iyanya would later describe the Don Jazzy
founded group as a “happy company” and
expressed how “blessed” he was to be a
member of the biggest record label in
Nigeria.
The late evening of fun also witnessed
brilliant performances by two Temple
Management artists, Gongo Aso crooner,
9ice and ex-winner of MTN Project Fame
West Africa, Jeff Akoh. Jeff sang to a live
band and served as a more than capable foil
to Iyanya whilst 9ice performed his smash
hit Living Things.
From a corner occupied by Mavin Records
artistes, Don Jazzy danced and sang along
happily through Iyanya’s performance.
Virtually all the artistes on the label were
present including Tiwa Savage, Korede Bello,
D’Prince, Dr Sid, Dija, Reekado Banks, Poe
and DNA Twins. Other artistes and
celebrities who came to support Iyanya
include Tekno, Sheyman, Reminisce, Uche
Jombo and Ebi Onome among others.
Advertisements