Rarely does a song’s title so naturally fit the mood it expresses, but that’s what Falana and her latest single ‘Joy’ achieved. Its message resonated across the continents, picking up key radio support from Reprezent, Kiss FM, Kiss Fresh and Rinse FMin the UK along with KEXP and KCRW in the States and CBC in Canada. It inspired a wave of excitement across Africa, which Falana added to when Nigerian’s leading lifestyle/entertainment brand BellaNaija highlighted her recent short documentary ‘Life From My Point of View’.
Now ‘Joy’ is poised to continue to be discovered throughout the summer with today’s release of a new remix from Spax, which features energising new vocals from Oxlade. LISTEN HERE.
Spax adds to the original’s shimmering summer style, refreshing its joyous spirit with heightened Afrobeats addictiveness and some potent live percussion. Oxlade then jumps on board, his voice vigorous and vibrant as he channels the song’s vibe by declaring, “I’m going to live every day like it’s my last.”
Falana says, “The response to ‘Joy’ has been amazing. I’m excited about bringing a new dimension to the track through the remix with two very talented people, the mighty Spax on production, and Oxlade lending his vocal magic on the feature.”
Emerging from Lagos, Oxlade first came to attention with ‘Sing’ before winning more followers with ‘AWAY’ and ‘DKT’. His collabs have made an international impression, joining Davido and H.E.R. on a remix of Skip Marley’s ‘Slow Down’, and featuring on Skengdo x AM’s ‘Brixton Boy’ with Sneakbo.
Spax is one of Nigeria’s most vital production talents. Arguably best known for his work with the nation’s trailblazing duo Show Dem Camp, his credits also include Adekunle Gold, Tekno, WurlD and Tomi Owó.
Falana’s story brings an international array of influences to her Nigerian roots, her influences spanning everyone from Fela Kuti to Sia. As a child growing up, her parents would play a lot of traditional Yoruba music as a way of staying connected to their home, and through the melting pot Toronto, Falana was exposed to the pop, hip-hop, soul, R&B & dancehall that she’d spend hours compiling into her own playlists, all the whilst teaching herself the guitsr and piano. Extensive travelling only made that tapestry of influences richer, with spells in London, Denmark and Havana
