We Speak Music
Rare London shows with awesome Franco-Japanese artist Maia Barouh
Off the back of critical acclaim for her recent album release ‘Aida’, Franco-Japanese singer, rapper, producer, and musician Maïa Barouh will be heading to London this April for a string of solo dates across the capital which will show her performing both a full electronic and acoustic set.
“Aida” means “between” in Japanese: between France and Japan, between the mainland and the islands, between the ancient and the modern. The character for the word is 間, a sun caught between two doors and it also means “silence”.
Written, arranged, and produced by Maïa over the past few years, she has built a distinctive soundworld around her two main instruments, flute and voice. The resulting album is raw, spacious, and thought-provoking whilst also being playful, quirky, and sometimes disconcerting, for example when she explores anti-Asian racism and feminism.
Tracks like ‘TOKYO ONDO’ and ‘HAFU’ are fierce, bass loaded, explorations of unconventional beats and tasty Asian motifs that twist and turn embedding more and more in the psyche on each listen. Elsewhere on the album, Maia moves into more ambient cinematic territory with the intriguing & surreal ‘RINGO’ and the experimental flute-bounce of anti-Brexit anthem ‘EXIT’, with its loaded Theresa May sample and hook line “Do you wanna Brexit with me?”.
Embracing the challenge of combining her two native languages, Maia collaborated with rapper Elea Braaz to find the perfect French lyrics for traditional Japanese melodies and to find a Japanese rhythmic flow when rapping in French.
Daughter of French film composer Pierre Barouh, Maia comes from a rich creative lineage. Her lyrics and production take inspiration from the eccentric Tokyo underground scene, traditional folk singing, tribal grooves, French rap and electronic elements: a sonically and culturally blended album which fluctuates between roots and reinvention.
Maia Barouh April 2023 London tour:
21st April- Finnish Church
22nd April- Brave Poets, Cromwell Place
23rd April- The Tent At The End Of The Universe (with surprise full band show)
Lagos, Nigeria — Benson Ayomide, one of the most exciting new voices in Afrobeat, is back with a banger! “Na Money” is a high-energy track that blends catchy melodies with relatable lyrics about chasing success and enjoying life’s rewards.
The song dives into the everyday grind of hustling for financial freedom and the joy that comes with “balling.” With lines like “After hard work na soft life” and “Na money dey give me joy,” Benson Ayomide captures the essence of what it means to hustle hard and celebrate big.
The hook is as infectious as it gets, and the rhythm is pure Afrobeat magic. “Na Money” is for anyone who knows the value of hard work and loves to enjoy the good things in life—designer brands, fine girls, and unforgettable vibes.
“Na Money is more than a song; it’s a vibe. It’s about living unapologetically, knowing your worth, and going all out for your dreams,” says Benson Ayomide.
From the catchy chant “Nowo nowo la wa omo sha ma jubadi” to the powerful message about perseverance, “Na Money” is a track that will resonate with listeners from all walks of life.
“Na Money” is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Fans can join the movement by using #NaMoney on social media to share their favorite moments of the song.
About Benson Ayomide
With a unique sound that fuses Afrobeat with personal storytelling, Benson Ayomide is quickly rising as a must-watch artist in the music scene.
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