Artist: SIJI
Title: IJO (Official Video)
Label: Sole Channel Records
Director: SIJI
Producers: Siji, Alix Alvarez & Tunji Ladoja
Video Concept; Akintunde Disu

Hot on the success of the recent Siji/Alix Alvarez collaboration comes the stunning visual interpretation to their classic single “Ijo”.

Shot on location in Lagos, Nigeria, where Siji has been rediscovering his childhood past following a 20yr plus absence, the colorful and visually arresting masterpiece showcases an open audition held for dancers drawn from the bustling metropolis that is Lagos.

It features cameo appearances from a colorful cast of characters including Afrobeat Singer, Ade Bantu, the delightful songstress, Ms. Yinka Davis, radio impresario Tintin ‘The Koolness’ as well as a royal prince, all of who masterfully played out the lyrics with quite amusing results.

The chart topping single ‘IJO’ is currently available for purchase on Itunes and all other digital platforms.

Click below to view video;

Vimeo (High Resolution)

For further information kindly visit;

sijimusic.com

solechannelmusic.com

Press, Bookings, Label, Licensing Enquiries

email@sijimusic.com

The Lagos shot video is currently in post production. Stills to follow shortly.

Artist: SIJI (Produced by Alix Alvarez)
Title: Ijo
Label: Sole Channel Music

One sunny afternoon on the 25th June 2009, I hooked up with my partner in crime Alix Alvarez to lay down the funk as it were. Out came his drum machine, the microphone, keyboards, percussion, and the song ‘Ijo’ (Dance).

Sadly though, right in the middle of our session a newsflash came up on the tv screen declaring the king of pop Michael Jackson dead. In utter disbelief, we denounced it as a hoax and continued with proceedings whilst still keeping a careful watch on the tv screen as the news unfolded. Suffice to say, the legendary MJ passed away a couple of hours later. To this day I still can’t believe he’s no longer with us in person, but I truly believe his spirit lingers on with the many he truly touched and inspired with his artistry.

I’d like to dedicate the song in his memory as he truly inspired me in many more ways than one to sing and indeed to get up and DANCE.

As the lyrics state;
E ju apa (wave your hands)
E na ese (shake your legs)
E mi ori (nod your heads)
E jide E mu ijo jo (Get up and DANCE)

click here to listen and download

Enjoy.

‘Siji

Should the Gods deem me worthy of fatherhood, I have vowed to some day name my first daughter, ‘Morenike’ (moe-re-knee-ke). The name ‘Morenike’, in Yoruba means ‘I have found one to cherish’ and is usually bestowed upon a much sought after female child. Taken from my sophomore album ‘Adesiji’, the song has thus far turned out to become a favorite among fans and connoisseurs alike.

In a traditional Yoruba naming ceremony, a number of choice ingredients, among them; salt, honey, peppercorns, water and kola nuts, are used as symbolic gestures in prayer, so that the child’s life may in turn be sweet, adventure filled, self sufficient, healthy and tasteful.

Shot as a time capsule on location in New York, the video storyline unfolds as I make my way to a local Botanica in search of said items for the mother to be. Much appreciation goes to Desiree Gordon who was exceedingly patient and generous with her time and her delightful little daughter ‘Morenike’ whom I was able to capture before conception as well as on her onscreen debut. Special mention should also be made of Laron Land’s brilliant horn arrangements (part afro, part Jazz/big band swing), which helped to lend significant weight to the feel and mood of the song.

As always, if you dig what you see/hear, kindly purchase, share, blog, dedicate, talk about, make love to, swear by and cherish it with all your friends and associates globally.

“Morenike” is taken from my new album “ADESIJI” available now on Itunes Amazon and all other digital platforms.

‘Siji

Click below to view video;

Vimeo (High Resolution)

For more info kindly visit;

www.sijimusic.com

www.facebook.com/sijimusic

For the many who were wondering what I got up to in Lagos, kindly enjoy, Courtesy of my buddies @ Nigezie TV.

Having spent a manic 3 months plus in Lagos, I thought it best to let off steam. Things had come to a close head on the set of fellow muso, Ade Bantus’ music video shoot which I was co-directing. It was close to 100 degrees in the heart of Ajegunle City, and the area boys were getting restless. Boy was it hairy!

Ghana’s proven to be everything I’d been told it was and a whole lot more. The progressive mindedness, the hospitality, it’s pace and beauty, the smiles, the ebony hued beauties, the culture…….. I could go on for days. Thus far I’ve spent some time driving through Accra city to the neighborhoods of Osu, Kokomlemle, Labone, Kaneshie as well as the famed Labone University. I also got to see the WEB DuBois Institute as well as the Kwame Nkrumah Centre, both of which were moving and awe inspiring in equal measure. I’ve a few more sights to see particularly Elmina castle, Apam Village and Kokrobite amongst others.

I’m loving this place to bits and if I dare add, reluctant to leave.

Just as  I thought I’d gotten lagos, Naija down with nothing left to shock the senses, I was invited by fellow musician Ade Bantu, to assist on a project which touched upon capital punishment in our public school system appropriately titled ‘Whip Not Child’. We attended a primary school in Ajegunle and beheld, the horror, the heartbreak, the unthinkable.

Above is one of the science laboratories within which these unfortunate kids have had to learn. Dust filled, windowless, blackboard pretty much empty….I could go on forever. I saw kids huddled together like fleas on a bare concrete floor with no teachers present, no supervision NOTHING!  What the F**K!!!

Education is supposed to be the foundation upon which any nation can build and grow. It’s no surprise to see how far we’ve come when the very kids whose lives we’re supposed to invest in and nurture, are being neglected, punished and abandoned. We’ve invested absolutely nothing towards our future. I found it particularly humbling and indeed a reality check as to how badly things have gotten in Nigeria. Work dey O, work boku….as we say out here.

I’ve finally settled down into a groove of sorts out this way. The intermittent power supply although irritating, no longer unnerves the soul as does the brain numbing drone of chinese made generators. Hence, the sudden plunge into darkness no longer startles me. Things have slowed down some as Lagosians get back into the swing of things. I can’t help but feel i’m on a rudderless shipthough given there has yet to be any official statement made on the situation with the president in Saudi Arabia. I’ve come to my own conclusions though. Ol boy’s been long gone. 

I’ve now taken up a dear friends’ advice and chosen to focus instead upon the countless opportunities at hand and to see past the mountain of challenges the country presents on a daily basis. The many challenges at surface appear insurmountable, however, a closer look reveals they’re mostly self inflicted. Take the traffic for instance. I once sat in an oven like cab for what seemed like an eternity, only to drive past the supposed road block with nothing but my irate kinsmen acting the fool and refusing to give way to each and the other. I was also recently engaged in a screaming match with a police officer and a gate man who blindly ignored my pleas for directions simply because he figured I didn’t greet him appropriately beforehand. Take also the night I stepped out of my cab to have a go at the cops for their silly time wasting antics designed to frustrate and ultimately squeeze a buck or two out of you. I could go on forever. Nigeria intrigues and baffles on way too many levels. Yet, however foreign these things appear to me, I still feel very much at home.

I recently tried to put a few of my thoughts to song, but the melodies and rhythms I heard were all rage filled. So I figure I’ll chew on my thoughts for a hot second longer and then return to the music once I’m a little mellower and found a few sweeter groove to sing to. I haven’t been bold enough to power up a few of my musical gadgets given my laptop power cord was recently fried despite been plugged into a power conditioner/stabilizer. I hear it’s mad cold in the rotten apple and beyond. Tell you what, it’s hot and funky out here and I’d rather take a cold shower, tan my hide a little than deal with the sleet, snow, gloves, frostbite, bitter winds….. anyday. Home is where the heat is. Happy belated new year!

There’s a great deal of work to be done here to undo some of the damage that’s been inflicted upon society at large. It’ll take nothing short of a cultural, social, spiritual, political, musical, industrial, psychological (r)evolution of sorts to steer folks right. But more on that later. For now, I’m home and adjusting to realities fast. My friends, many of whom are now industrialists, ceo’s, executives, decision makers and highly influencial members of society, have been nothing short of generous with their time, advice and hospitality. Simply put, I’m in great company.

The highlight of my trip thus far; watching the legendary highlife musician, Dr. Victor Olaiya hold court at the Stadium Hotel, Surulere in the wee hours of dawn last weekend. Awe inspiring!

Till later…