Obongjayar - Paradise Now (LP, Ltd, Ind)

SEALED , brand new copy

Obongjayar's forthcoming sophomore ‘Paradise Now’, is an ambitiously fresh global prospect, with roots grounded in his own wide-ranging world of influences. It’s everything from pop to punk, dance to Afrobeat, funk to folk, refracted through a thrilling new perspective. “I wanted an album that I could listen to from start to finish on a night out.” But he still considers it something of a Trojan Horse. Recorded between London and LA with UK alt-rap mainstay Kwes Darko ( Pa Salieu, John Glacier) and Grammy-winning production trio Beach Noise (Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Bakar), the record is as emotionally complex and broad as Obongjayar has ever been, even within its contagious candy coating.

Born in Lagos and raised in Calabar, Nigeria, before moving to the UK when he was 18 years old, while growing up, Obongjayar found an escape in music. Growing up in Nigeria, Obongjayar gravitated towards American hip-hop and R&B - Eminem, Ciara, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and his prized possession, a bootleg Nelly and Usher compilation. It wasn’t until moving to London in his late teens that he really began to appreciate Nigeria’s musical heritage. First releasing his own music through Soundcloud, what quickly followed was a string of hugely successful EPs and singles including “God’s Own Children” which earned him an Ivor Novello award. In 2022 he released his debut album Some Nights I Dream of Doors to critical acclaim with praise from the likes of i-D, Crack Magazine, The Guardian, NPR, DIY and more.

With a truly unique sound blending everything from electronic, soul, pop, afro-beat and more, his compelling music characterised by his thoughtful and emotional lyrics have led him to collaborate with everyone from Jeshi to Little Simz to Pa Salieu, and most recently Fred Again... on "adore u," that found the producer sampling Obongjayar's "I Wish It Was Me" and garnering over 225 million streams globally.


 

1. It's Time 3:052. Life Ahead 3:213. Peace in Your Head 2:524. Holy Mountain 2:295. Jellyfish 2:046. Talk Olympics 2:417. Prayer 2:038. Moon Eyes 2:499. Sweet Danger 2:4010. Not in Surrender 3:1911. Instant Animal 3:3212. Strong Bone 2:0413. Born in This Body 3:2214. Just My Luck 3:0015. Happy Head 3:06

 

Barcode and Other Identifiers:

Barcode 195081539614Other Indie Exclusive Neon Orange vinyl

 

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