- Culture
- 25 Aug 21
The first 'Shades of Yellow' EP features production from Nigerian hitmaker Tee-Y, who orchestrated the soundtrack behind ‘See Me Finish’ and has worked with the likes of Davido, M.I. and Tiwa Savage.
Acclaimed hip-hop sensation JYellowL has announced brand-new single ‘See Me Finish’, due for release this Friday, 27th August.
The track 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 No.2 on the Official iTunes Album Charts as well as No.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 - essentially being taken for granted and that’s a red flag," the musician continues. "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.”
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'See Me Finish' follows recent release 'Pick Up The Pace', his scorcher first single of 2021.
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 to celebrate Black Irish identity.
The next phase in his blisteringly fast rise is envisioned as 'Yellowszn'. Listeners can expect a series of EPs that JYellowL is calling "shades of yellow", which will reveal and explore new sides to him musically that haven't been shown before.
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'.
Immersed in the surroundings and sounds, the time spent in Nigeria allowed him to connect and collaborate with cutting edge producers and artists there, whose influence can be felt throughout "yellowszn".
The slick production of Nigeria-based producer StevJazz, who is signed to Aristokrat Records, also helped shape JYellowL's latest work. Connecting a multiplicity of origins and cutting-edge collaborations while shaping his own distinct and undeniable voice, the hip-hop act is putting Ireland on the map.
Revisit JYellowL's December 2020 interview with Hot Press here.
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JYellowL live dates:
Saturday, 9th October 2021 - Limelight 2, Belfast
Thursday, 14th October 2021 - Roisin Dubh, Galway
Saturday, 16th October 2021 - Opium, Dublin