The singer uses her music as a tool for self-development
The singer uses her music as a tool for self-development
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A year ago today, Santi released his career-defining debut album, Mandy & The Jungle – a steady stream of hard-hitting records, which deservedly bagged Santi a secure spot within the global music conversation. Known to us and many early fans as the forerunner of one of the most interesting cultural movements in Nigeria, Santi has successfully explored life outside this community in the year since the release of Mandy & The Jungle.
Writing songs for Rihanna whilst in LA, partying with The NATIVE family in London, and finally making it back home to a crowd of effervescent fans in Lagos, culminated in Santi pressing pause for the early part of this year. In this quiet time, he underwent an introspective assessment of who he is, where he is, and even who is with him. Now, with his promise of new music (which has so far only come into fruition with his feature on Octavian’s “Poison”) Santi’s albeit enigmatic public presence has returned and he’s just in time for Mandy’s first birthday.
To celebrate the momentous day, Santi has spent the day teasing the forthcoming album, giving us glimpses into the new universe via his Instagram story. As a publication dedicated to documenting the music, culture and style emerging from Africa’s various nodes, we at The NATIVE are commemorating Mandy‘s first year by looking back on the life-altering journey Santi has embarked upon through the past year catalysed by the success of the album. From the polarising “Raw Dinner” music video to his US tour with the Monster Boys, followed by his characteristically rowdy debut headline shows, we present to you Santi’s most memorable moments since Mandy & The Jungle.
Various
TSE & Deeds
Alexx Figs
Whitney
TSE & Moyosore Briggs
Unknown
Deeds
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The brains behind the exciting “Body Count” visuals
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Feel good music which is sure to leave every listener more in love with themselves!
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“Everyone who liked ‘Suzie’s Funeral’ will love this one”
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From the Noisettes to fighting on her own
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To commemorate Women’s History Month this year, we will be discovering a new female artist every day of this month. Some of these women you may know, others you may have heard of and some will be entirely new discoveries. The aim is to spotlight the remarkable young women from around Africa, who are finding their feet through music and giving women a voice of their own.
ICTOOICY is likely to fit in amongst the “women you may know” or at least within the category of artists “you may have heard of”, as her debut on Nigeria’s Apple Music Charts indicates a level of popularity currently comparable with the ubiquitous Mandy & The Jungle, Billie Eilish’s Grammy sweeping, WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO, and Wizkid’s self-titled.
Released just last week, ICTOOICY’s Sorry I Don’t Like Phone Calls already boasts the number 3 spot on Apple Music’s Alternative Album chart, and is ranked 75 in the top 100 Nigerian albums, of all genres. Given her newcomer status, this feat is not one to be overlooked.
ICTOOICY’s achievements become even more awe-inspiring when you consider her paradoxically inaudible Do It Yourself approach to making music. ICTOOICY doesn’t drown her music in technology in order to hide her beginners studio settings, but rather emphasises her circumstances in a way that celebrates the rustic energy of low-quality recordings. It is this refreshingly disruptive contribution to our widely homogenous musical landscape that immediately attracts listeners, and her dexterous versatility that keeps them.
The Poet With A Flow – self-proclaimed in her SoundCloud bio – ICTOOICY doesn’t shy away from enchanting listeners with her mild-mannered singing performances (“Liberty Road”), opponent to her overconfident rap persona which we hear on songs like “Sage“ and “Strep Throat Flow”. Playing with echoes (“Forget About Us”) and layering diverse vocal deliveries, the imaginative artist is able to bring vibrance to simpler beats, as exemplified on “Park Bench” or the Kiyo-assisted “Lights”. Through her numerous creative techniques, ICTOOICY’s music fashions around us a dream-like utopia in which perfection is possible, simply because imperfection is not.
Sorry I Don’t Like Phone Calls, her early 2020 offering, is her fourth project within the year – ICY, as the voice messages that litter the project refer to her, is dedicated to music, her music.Throughout her first couple of years, ICY has remained equally as consistent with her sound as she is consistent with her releases, and it’s payed off.
Join in the rave and stream the chart-topping drop, right now:
Featured Image Credits: ICYTOOICY/Instagram
Wojumi is a bad bitch and she’s going to bra-g about it. Tweet her your favourite female artists @dewoju
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Every day this month, The NATIVE will be putting you on to new and exciting female artists from all over Africa
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No Tears In The Jungle
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By 1959, Nigeria was the only country with television services in the whole of Africa.
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Ovie’s collection with ASOS is now available!
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Ovie’s collaboration with ASOS will be available from September 23!
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A care package from Abuja’s mercurial talent, exclusively on Soulection
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