Essentials: Tay Iwar’s ‘Gemini’
Taking the lived-in approach to portraying relationships with lyrics grounded in bleak practicality
Since breaking out with two heralded projects, 2014’s sonically varied ‘Passport’ and 2016’s more streamlined ‘Renascentia’, the distinct timbre of Tay Iwar’s voice has defined the warm, affecting quality heard on every song and guest feature. On ‘Gemini’, his newly released debut album on the Soulection imprint, the simple flamboyance of the 21-year old singer’s vocal abilities remains apparent, with some added virtuosity to it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BveaYB9gWPS/
Last year, the first preview into Gemini came in the form of a 3-track collection titled ‘1997’. On “Miracle Girl”, the final song off ‘1997’, Tay performs a Prince-like hollering over glassy acoustic guitars, personifying the ecstatic feeling of having great sex with an unnamed lover the night before. Since “Miracle Girl” is set in moments after the high, it is significantly tethered to a pervasively distrusting worldview, with Tay equating falling in love with Icarus flying too close to the song. “If I’m the one fucking with you, don’t tell no lies (no no no)”, he sings a little more sternly on the song’s sole verse, aware that great sex isn’t the clearest measure of trust and stability in a relationship.
Asides the opening track, “Satisfied”, and the Le Mav-produced “Stranger”, every other song on Gemini thrives off tension. In taking account of the fact that romantic relationships can be complicated, Tay’s writing is grounded in bleak practicality. “Baby you need some tragedy to keep you on your toes/that’s just reality”, he sings with a shrug on “Utero”.
It could be as complicated as intertwined toxicity from both parties as heard on “Monica”, or as simple as personal insecurities like he describes on “Weather Song”. “Fools” hinges the tension on their ambiguity in status, while it’s personal growth and aspirations that justifies ghosting on “SPACE”. What makes ‘Gemini’ wholesome in its brand of cynicism, is that despite unflattering past experiences and uncertainties that come with new attempts, the search for a lasting, special connection with someone is a fundamental and continuous part of the human condition.
Tay’s lived-in approach to portraying relationships on ‘Gemini’ closes the gap between specificity and universality, intersecting between enjoying and relating to the music. The project builds on the symbiosis between form and mood as each song accomplish its purpose without overstaying its welcome. While Tay’s songwriting plays the role of shaping the album’s compelling nature, hooks and refrains dictate the aura as the narratives play out succinctly.
This phenomenon is even more evident in the way guest features are used on the album: Odunsi contributes groovy melodies on the short bridge of “SUGARDADDY”, while Tay does the descriptive legwork. Santi and Preye play out the main characters on “SPACE”, based on Tay’s premise-setting hook and Suté delivers the sole, wounded soul verse on the funk-inflected R&B thumper, “DON’T KNOW”.
In true polymath fashion, the accompanying music on Gemini—75 percent self-produced—is wide-ranging and purposeful. With the album already held together by Tay’s voice and clear narratives, there are no bumps between songs with disparate musical elements—sleek disco-pop on “Weather Song” glides into glitzy R&B adorned with local percussions on “Its Okay”, while zen-inducing neo-soul “How” is preceded by electro-funk track, “Diamonds”.
On more than a few occasions, songs transform within themselves, gaining more footing as they morph from simple to final, composite compositions. Standout song, “Utero” alternates between a forlorn piano-led R&B structure on the verses, and a space jam reggae section of guitar riffs and sauntering drums on the hook. Later on the album, potential hit single, “SUGARDADDY” traverses the spectrum from its quirky R&B opening, to a full-bodied dance record comprising full swing Afropop drums and chirpy melodies. Both these songs were produced by Tay.
You can stream Tay Iwar’s Gemini below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/tayiwar
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
ICYMI: You can sign the petition, mandating the sex offenders registry in Nigeria here
Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
Keep reading...
Ayra Starr Releases Her Sizzling Anthem, “Hot Body”
An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
Keep reading...
Zulo Details His Evolution On New ‘Z’ EP
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
Keep reading...
