After an intense one week of restless anticipation, IYORI is finally out for your listening pleasure and should we not at least delve in for a swift review of the song? Well let’s get therein.
This time last year, a girl who had just her voice and smile to change the world met with a man who had been changing the world with his sound and music production skills for over a decade till he decided to fully indulge into singing. We are talking about Rinyu and Salatiel. One was finding her way into the music industry while the other had already sailed round the industry and beyond.
The two met for the first time at the UBA Music celebration in 2020 and Salatiel with immediate effect, endorsed Rinyu. Fast-forward to a year later, they have achieved crazy milestones: Salatiel with one of the biggest African albums of the year Africa Represented and Rinyu who is building up to the full release of her first album Black Girl Magic which features The High Man General Salatiel.
Now let’s talk about this song
Iyori a summer jam and a reggaeton/dancehall tune, is the second song off Rinyu’s Black Girl Magic album after “Controller”. Black Girl Magic album is a collective work effort of some high profile music contributors and others such as singers, producers, directors, dancers as well as costumes, MUA’s and makeovers. Though many have focused on just the artists, there is need to feature everyone’s contributions. Let’s go chronologically shall we?
Songwriters, Performers and Music Producers
I would like to give a round of applause for Phillbill who has build himself to become one of the most sought after music producers. Phillbill has in the past five years cemented his place in the music industry and he is far beyond one of the best in Cameroon right now, we need to start seeing him on the lists of best African producers as soon as possible. Iyori which fuses the “three” ball-pens of Salatiel, Achu Normad, and Rinyu follows the spirit of happiness and celebration right down to Manoka Beach commonly referred to the locals as Puerto Rico and they reignite that Reggaeton feeling that has seemingly been absent for sometime in the music industry.
Rinyu’s introduction when the song starts is an immediate bait. The fun fact is that, as long as it’s music, she’s always ready with those crazy body language switches! The problem now is that, her influence in a song is becoming more and more decimating and intimidating. If Rinyu features in your song, there is possibility for you go unnoticed. Rinyu was quite excited to jump on this one with Salatiel, someone she respects and looks up to, but she didn’t seem to get carried away with her admiration of him. She stayed focus and steadfast and the result is clear – a beautiful song and video.
I’m very much sure that Salatiel relished this moment too. Why do I say so? For anyone who paid a lot of attention to Salatiel’s #AfricaRepresented album, the reggae and dancehall input in it, unveiled another hidden side of the multi-award winning recording artist. The concept of this song is Salatiel’s lifestyle which in summary is (work + play + work). If you listen to or watch Salatiel’s song “Ayagayo” (one of the songs in Africa Represented), you will get the picture. I’m very much convinced that he was busy on the day of the beach scene which is why he didn’t feature in those scenes, but he came in part two of the clip and was nothing but an exemplary figure.
Kudos to video director Chuzih and Fanarts for the unique Manoka beach decision. Many who watched the video for Iyori asked if the video was shot in Cameroon as it had a foreign vibe. We’ve also seen many videos miss it concept, but not in this case. Chuzih’s directing skills have continued to ‘wow’ us. His angles, focal points, emotions and moments captured are what makes him one of the most demanded music directors in the industry at the moment. His coloring effect in iYori is something I can’t literally explain since I didn’t study videography that much lol, but its good and colorful when you see it.
The makeup team is getting robbed off their birth right and credit and this is punishable. How can you all even pretend not to see the crazy and out of this world makeup job by Gilga Achu? This lady has cemented her place in the industry as one of the best make-up artist, wondering why she isn’t getting so much hype but the big female entertainers can attest to this. She single handedly gave the video that extra special touch.
The dancers are almost not being talked about and you might want to ask why. Look at those Black Panthers… their continuous hardwork earned them a place on this one and they didn’t disappoint. I don’t know about you, but you see, their energy level was what was needed on that beach scene, Damn!! They knew they had to leave all their problems at home, so they did! They came to have fun and while they were having fun, they were doing their job. They will sure be proud they made a decision to jump on this piece and the artist won’t regret the choice either!
Observations
To crown the day, iYori seems like a certified summer jam without any exaggerations. Everyone kept it cool and simple but very professional. This was a once in a lifetime moment for everyone who was on set – It’s a début album and you go down history books and a point finale that you were part of the inauguration of a Queen i.e. Rinyu.
I noticed Salatiel seemed very much reserved on this one. He didn’t go all out 360 as he normally does, although taking nothing away at all from the High Man General’s lyrics and contribution. However, I know he tried to keep it at a big brother/little sister relationship. Probably why he didn’t go all the way. Believe me when I say, on a typical Salatiel day, a typical Salatiel would break a bone and let loose. If you’re doubting me, ask “Good Girl” Rutshelle . All in all, it’s all respect for the boss of Alpha Better Records.
Rinyu, however stole her moment and every musical moment is always a fun moment for her.
