Ibejii shines a light on BLM, EndSARS & racial injustice with new single Gonto

The music is cross-cultural, cross-continental, &  truly delights music lovers from diverse  continents” TCN (The Culture Newspaper) 

“His trademark storytelling, which is adored by  fans, uses sweet melodies, captivating metaphor  & traditional folklore” – The Guardian 

Afro-retro singer and soulful storyteller Ibejii  releases the track Gonto – a dramatic and  expressive piece that touches on the emotional  rollercoaster foisted on us all by CoviD19, Black  Lives Matters, the EndSARS movement of young  people and other recent events. 

Gonto is rich in  metaphor and  hugely orchestral,  taking the listener on  a journey that  captures the  impunity of the ruling  class but also the  daring of a new generation whose defeat of fear made EndSARS inevitable. Sung in traditional Yorùbá language,  on Gonto, Ibejii tells a story of defiance by the  younger generation against rich and powerful  oppressors while “leaning on the drive and  aspirations of a new generation, determined to  make its own unique path in the world”.  Produced by DopeL at Natalio Studios in Lagos,  Ibejii says of the release: “Gonto captures the  casual insensitivity of the big and powerful  masquerade (political leaders) and their failure to  give voice and space, to the little masquerades  (ordinary people). It’s the voice of a new  generation who, having defeated fear, insist on  being heard and seen”.  

A twin by birth and alter ego by craft, British born Nigerian Ibejii wears his Yoruba ancestry, and  the musical origins it represents, as a mark of  authenticity. With a fine balance of retro-West  African sounds mixed with contemporary Global  elements, his music is truly Global Africa.  

Citing Marvin Gay as a main inspiration, his palette has also been influenced by a wide range  of musical genres and artists including opera singers Jessye Norman and Pavarotti, classical composers George Gershwin, Verdi, Vivaldi and  Handel, soul and RnB artists Nina Simone,  Lauryn Hill, Kendrick Lamar and Kanye plus techno-rockers Daft Punk and more.  

Having performed live at various halls in Lagos  and London’s O2 Islington opening for jazz /  afrobeat artist Brymo, Ibejii has also shared the  stage with many notable artists including Celeste,  Dwin and Johnny Drille.  

With an EP that expands on Gonto’s EndSARS concept on the horizon and a film about the  subject now in production, Ibejii is an artist with a  bold vision to bring a better world into existence  as we emerge from aloneness, social isolation  and unimaginable loss into a post CoviD world.  Be sure to keep your eyes on Ibejii’s journey  over the coming months as his story unfolds.  Listen on https://bit.ly/GontoDigital