10 Things We Love About: Lojay

Resonating with listeners all over the world since the success of his joint EP 'LV N ATTN' with notable producer Sarz, Lojay has established respectable notoriety in the afro-fusion scene. Immersing himself in a melange of styles inspired by different genres and sounds. We talk to Lojay about the EP's breakout track and stamped song of the summer, 'Monalisa' which has racked up millions of streams and has since merited strong positions on the charts. Recently followed by the remix featuring global superstar Chris Brown.

We go beyond the music and get to know Lojay a little better as he takes on this passion-fueled journey...

We love that your upbringing has a lot to do with your style and sound of music

Where does your musical influence come from?

Growing up I listened to a lot of Gospel music. My Mum's a Pastor, it plays a huge role in my sound today. I listen to a lot of Michael Jackson, Wizkid, Jon Bellion, and Bruno Mars. Just a mix of different things to be honest.

We love your determination and drive to help others

Many artists have started businesses and charities back home...Is that something you already do or have considered doing in Nigeria?

Yeah, I have something called 'Green Corner Foundation'. I created it before all of this, in 2019. It was just like a little pet project of mine, but I'm hoping to fully delve into that this year after the (new) EP drops. I've done like little things here and there like giving out food and all of that, but I really want to be able to use all the influence that has been garnered from all the work. I really do a lot of stuff with 'Green Corner Foundation.' I'm open to working with other celebs, just as long as other people can benefit from it, especially in Africa.

We love how seriously you take your craft

What is your favourite thing about being an artist?

Making music! Honestly, that's probably the best part. Actually, making and performing the music.

We love how much performing means so much to you

You're currently on tour...How are you feeling?

I'm so excited! Like I said, one of my favourite things to do is perform music, just to be able to connect with different crowds of people from different places, different locations and stuff like that. That's the best.

We love the acclaimed song of the summer...' Monalisa'

Was the song's success a surprise to you?

I don't think I expected the song to be THIS big. I believed the EP was going to do well, I heard the music, so I had faith and was confident about the project: LV N ATTN but to say how far things would go, especially with 'Monalisa', I wouldn't say I predicted that, to be honest. The song plays EVERYWHERE!... I feel like a lot of people love the song cos when girls listen to the song they feel like they are Monalisa and when guys listen to the song or they're singing it they are speaking to their 'Monalisa.'

We love how you're always open to collaborations with exciting artists

How did the collaboration for the 'Monalisa' remix with Chris Brown come about?

The remix gave it another stretch of life. From the point, we were making the EP, Sarz and I knew that for any of the songs that did well, we'd like to have a remix for it. Moreso put an international artist on it just to push it and when Monalisa started blowing up, we just started looking for different people to jump on the remix of the song. We had a couple of ideas, but from the whole draft, Chris Brown's name kept sticking out, so we reached out to his team and they literally sent back a verse and wow! Coming from where I was like no one knows me or knows my name, I didn't think my first EP I'd have a verse from Chris Brown. He ate it up!

We love how transparent you were in your EP 'LV N ATTN'

Where were you emotionally when making LV N ATTN?

For the whole EP, I was kind of at the point where I was more or less reflecting on past relationships and love, where I had been at specific times. Literally from 'Tonongo' to 'Monalisa' and Monalisa, it was just me trying to hype up this character that I had built up in my head and make her feel as beautiful and as free as she could be, which now leads to the chorus where I'm just saying she should keep dancing cos that's the meaning of "Ma Jo Monalisa", "just keep dancing Monalisa." It was almost like I'm stuck on this person.

We love that you have always been destined for greatness

Did you ever think that you'd one day have people from all across the world listening to your music?

I don't want to say I foresaw it, but it was a dream that I believed was going to at some point manifest.

We love how intentional you are when making music

How has your creative process changed since the pandemic?

I'm Just a lot more expressive. A lot more intentional. Before it was more like okay you just start vibing, and wherever you get to, you get to. But now I'm intentional from the jump, I know exactly what I want a song to feel like and be like at the end. It allows me to just be more expressive. Being a lot more focused.

We love that if you were not a singer you would still be getting to the bag

If you weren't a singer, what would you be?

I would probably be doing some sort of business. All I know is that I'll be chasing guap though! Anywhere where money is, I'll be chasing it!

The singer-songwriter has made it clear that there's no slowing him down now! With him adding that we should expect new music very soon, which will include some "key collaborations" that we'll just have to wait and keep a lookout for. Lojay is a fresh and compelling artist in the scene whose talent cannot be imitated, so we can't wait to hear and see more from him this year.

Listen to 'LV N ATTN' Here:

Words by Grace Zadi