JYellowL releases a brand-new single ‘See Me Finish’, due for release this Friday, 27th August. This follows his critically acclaimed debut album 2020 D|vision, which was nominated for Irish album of the year 2020 at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Awards and debuted at number 2 on the official iTunes album charts as well as number 1 in the hip hop category.
The album served as a timely soundtrack and breath of fresh air for an overwhelming year, manifesting JyellowL’s intention to put Irish rap on the map as a force to be reckoned with on a global front.
Speaking about the upcoming single ‘See Me Finish’, JYellowL said: “I was in Nigeria for what was meant to be a short trip but due to Covid restrictions I ended staying for two months. So I decided to tap into the music scene there and I got a crazy wave of inspiration from the incredible producers and artists I met. Tee-Y being one of them, we locked in and created some beautiful music.
In Nigeria, we have an expression called “see finish” which means over familiarity by making yourself too accessible to someone, being too kind, etc essentially being taken for granted and that’s a red flag. So saying “she don see me finish” means the girl in question had over familiarised herself with me to the point of taking me for granted, my kindness being taken for weakness, my presence losing novelty. I can’t have that, so I had to cut her off.”
JYellowL is emerging into this changing world of 2021 with a string of new releases and collaborations coming to fruition, having performed a dynamic and standout set as part of Extraterrestrial at the National Concert Hall, an event celebrating Black Irish identity.
The next phase in his blisteringly fast rise is envisioned as ‘Yellowszn’. Listeners can expect a series of EP’s that JYellowL is calling ‘shades of yellow’ and which will reveal and explore new sides to him musically that haven’t been shown before. With a fresh and upbeat sound for the summer, the first EP features three tracks including collaborations with Liverpool-based singer Tabitha Jade on the lead single ‘Papi’ and also with London-based MC Jelani Blackman on the strong track ‘Stepped In’.
A recent trip back home to Nigeria which was longer than expected due to the pandemic lockdown gave JYellowL an unexpected and inspiring opportunity to tap into the deep-rooted and ever-innovative music scene there. Immersed in the surroundings and sounds, this time allowed him to connect and collaborate with cutting edge producers and artists there, whose influence can be felt throughout yellowszn.
The first EP of ‘shades of yellow’ features production from Nigerian hit-maker Tee-Y who orchestrated the soundtrack behind the lead single ‘See Me Finish’ and has worked with the likes of Davido, M.I., Tiwa Savage, and more. The slick production of Nigeria-based producer StevJazz, who is signed to Aristokrat records, also helped shape JYellowL’s latest work. The horizon is limitless for an artist like JYellowL who continues to unleash music that connects a multiplicity of origins and cutting-edge collaborations while shaping his own distinct and undeniable voice.
LIVE DATES:
Saturday, 9th October 2021 – Limelight 2, Belfast
Thursday, 14th October 2021 – Roisin Dubh, Galway
Saturday, 16th October 2021 – Opium, Dublin
