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.
