Lojay Is One of Afropop's Chosen Vessels: Sarz Fulfils His Role As A Prophet Once Again

Contemporary Afrobeats is for artists who have substance. Lojay expresses his emotions through acute songwriting, titillating melodies, and vulnerability which glint on Sarz' heavy bass and percussion

I was innocently scrolling through my Twitter timeline when I stumbled on Sarz’s tweet about working with a new artist. Now, anyone who is remotely interested in the Nigerian music industry understands the significance of that tweet. The mighty Sarz working with an upcoming act? He unquestionably had the sauce. But just what type of sauce? The first time I listened to Lojay, I was entranced. Not just because the music was sonically pleasing, but because of the way that he finessed Afrobeats. Listening to new artists can either be a chore or a pleasant experience. With Lojay, it was the latter. 

Afrobeats has continuously evolved from its primordial state. The Nigerian music industry is experiencing an eruption that is bringing to the surface unusually talented acts. Unlike many years ago when opportunities to secure a place in the industry were scarce, the internet has provided a platform for artists/creators to showcase their talents. Asides from the fact that the digitization of the music industry has lowered the barrier of entry, the audience is a lot more receptive to new and fresh sounds. In this current age and time, there’s no limit to Afrobeats.

We have irrefutably come a long way from the days of Plantashun Boiz, The Remedies. The last decade gave rise to a more refreshing sound that redefined the soundscape. We have seen the likes of Wizkid, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Rema, switch it up at different times in the history of the genre. Lojay tested the waters with a single titled Tonongo. I found the name amusing and then my brain somehow rationalized it after a few hours. His EP, LV N ATTN, was all the conviction I needed that the seemingly easygoing act possessed the magical touch. 

To say Afrobeats is crude is to insinuate that the genre hasn't made significant progress, which would then be ludicrous. But it isn't a stretch to say that the genre has more potential than what many acts have churned out, that the genre still appears to be in its early stages and can become a staple in the global market. If properly harnessed, Afrobeats can easily compete in any space. Think of its western counterpart, Afro-swing. It basically runs on the same template as Afrobeats: Melodies and drum pattern. However, there's a finesse to it. And that finesse is precisely the element that attracted me to Lojay's music. That finesse can introduce you to multiple markets, with the right push, of course. As much as your primary audience is local, it definitely doesn't hurt to seek a foreign audience. I can already imagine a pumped audience turning 

Lojay’s music strongly reminds me of Flash’s. What do Flash and Lojay have in common? There are probably many similarities, asides from the finesse, but the one that interests me is Sarz: The exceptional producer. It eludes me how someone can be so inhumanely good at his craft. Afrobeats producers are one of a kind. It cannot be overstated. From time immemorial, they have helped craft the Afrobeats sound, regardless of the phase the genre has found itself. One of the major players is Sarz. He is a visionary, positioning himself at the helm of Afrobeats, setting trends, breaking and then recreating rules. He is a genius among geniuses. He has been active since the days of Eldee, Da Grin, giving OGs from 2008 timeless hits. His contribution to the progress of Afrobeats is immeasurable.

Although this article is less about Sarz than it is about Lojay, it is only expected that we give respect to the extraordinary producer. He has made his mark in the Nigerian music industry and has not retired from his role of being ahead of the curve. Whether as a rapper or a singer, you can count on Sarz to bring out the monster in you. We have seen it happen so many times, even with emerging acts without an existing fanbase, like Flash.

Many years ago, when Eldee's name reigned all over, there existed a young producer knitting salient instrumentals for him. That producer has replicated that hit-making formula and applied it for superstars such as Wizkid, Da Grin, Reminisce, Niniola, Drake. Sarz is constantly on his toes, sneakily looking for the next way to reinvent his art. He collaborated (as a producer) with Wurld on a project titled I Like Girls With Trobul, transcending into another sphere to explore new sounds.

When Sarz released a collaborative EP with Wurld, the audience was exposed to a new world. The tape was unlike any of the popular sounds that were in vogue then. Wurld, a gifted singer and songwriter, was the perfect comrade for the mission, and together they made magic. Sarz and Wurld uncovered a mystery box full of treasures. It was like a new dimension in Afrobeats for producers and songwriters who valued the art of songwriting. He also dropped a project Sarz Is Not Your Mate, where he takes us on a journey through his expansive sonic vista.

LV N ATTN EP is a 5-track tape that shows Lojay's musical dexterity. Every song is a different tale where Lojay is either being enamoured by a woman's derriere or he's seeking feelings of affection from another. His style of songwriting is unique such that he embroiders words - in Yoruba, English, Pidgin - to create powerful lines of poetry. I wouldn't be surprised if word got out that Lojay stole Lucifer's melody book. His melodies have the tendency to impact a listener so much that you find yourself listening over and over again, as if in a loop. Songs like Monalisa and Tonongo have a huge tendency to break into the mainstream, but in the form of a sleeper hit. The project, for me, is quintessential contemporary Afrobeats. It is a marker for other Afropop acts that intend to reveal the multifariousness of the genre. 

This tape is Lojay's second body of work. Sometime in 2017, Lojay released his debut EP Midnight Vibes. Even though the EP didn't receive attention from many listeners, he remained persistent in his pursuit of greatness. He would later meet Sarz through a friend, and after trying to convince Sarz to work with him on a single, the duo started working together and decided to instead work on an EP. According to Sarz, he was excited to take on the challenge of refining Lojay's sound. He recognized the singer's varied tone and incubated him. With his influence, Wizkid featured on the third track on the EP titled LV N ATTN. The Grammy award-winning act took the record up a notch, infusing it with his eldritch Starboy Lamba. One of the standout lines on the tape, which has turned into a quotable for many people, is "You win the ass cheek Balon d'Or" 

The direction of the branding and rollout is another aspect that deserves praise too. All the promotional content reinforced the message of the EP. The images were an apt representation of Lojay’s amorous disposition.

Lojay has previously worked with the likes of Laime and Psycho YP. The world is waiting to see what next he has up his sleeve, especially after working with someone like Sarz. Hopefully, Sarz has not set a standard that’s too high for him such that he can’t make the same quality of music. Although Lojay is yet to break out as an artist, he has joined the race and has mustered enough firepower to get him started. At this point, there is absolutely no pressure. He should continue his mission of honing his craft and introducing listeners to bracing sounds. I would like to see his music crossover to the western world, seeing as his music contains elements that can serve as catalysts for his entry.