Mavin Records have unveiled their newest signee, Bayanni. The 25-year-old musician has gone through the label’s acclaimed development program, and has now come through the ranks into his own. He follows in the Mavin tradition by releasing an eponymous EP today, a four-track capsule showcasing his unique hang on Afropop through his svelte vocals which have proven to be captivating over time.

 

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Formerly known as Zhenoboy, the artist follows Boy Spyce in being the second consecutive social media sensation signed by Mavin Records this year. Attentive partakers in Afropop circles would remember the artist’s face from his freestyles and covers, posted on the comment sections of superstars who he would now call colleagues and prospective collaborators.

Bayanni is the third of five boys, and was born in Alagbado, Lagos to parents who worked in education. He got into music through church and began playing instruments shortly after. Following his father’s lead, he graduated with a degree in accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), a tertiary institution revered for its budding music scene.

His debut eponymous EP toes that line from living against the odds to suddenly being on the map, learning from the best in the game. Even though he’d gotten a Davido cosign previously, this unveiling, or activation as the Mavins group like to call it, ranks very high on the artist’s best days. From the aspirational “Family” to more groovy cuts like “Body” and “Ta Ta Ta”, the artist relaxes on a new lease of life while being aware of the hardwork that is required to propel himself even higher within the modern pop industry. “So I carry my family for head, if dem never chop I must double hustle,” he sings on the evocative opener, admitting his motivation with unpretentious honesty.

Closer “Kala” flows with propulsive energy, the percussions colourful and teasing what is Bayanni’s most invested performance across the tape. Like previous debut EPs from Mavin acts, this introductory phase is supposed to sketch the potentials of the artist’s sonic pallette. There is no doubt that he’s in great company, and Bayanni has risen to the occasion as well by making his bow with this particular project.

Listen to ‘Bayanni’ below.