WATCH: Tolü Makay drops vibrant music video for 'Aye', shot in Nigeria

Culture
19 Aug 21

‘Aye’ is the second song to be shared from Tolü’s debut album, coming in early 2022.

Afro-Irish singer Tolü Makay has shared a highly personal new music video for ‘Aye’, beautifully produced and shot in Nigeria by Passenger Films HQ.

The video brings Makay’s latest single to life and underlines the connection with her Nigerian heritage and her love for music since childhood.

“'Aye' means life in Yoruba. A lot of what makes us who we are comes from our childhood," Tolü Makay says of the track's origins. "I want this song to celebrate life and the child we forget we were. We are who we are because of that child. I added my oriki which my grandmother blessed me with. Oriki is a Yoruba ‘attributive epithet’ you’re given. Who you are called forth to be. I hope this song brings joy and awakens your inner child.”

'Aye' is an African pop, dance, world themed summer track inspired by Tolü Makay‘s Yoruba heritage with traditional Nigerian percussions, such as Conga and the Talking drum.

On release, the song was added to high-profile Spotify playlists ‘New Music Friday playlist’ and ‘A Breath of Fresh Éire’.

Tolü was set to travel to Nigeria to create this song and reunite with her family, who she hasn’t seen throughout the pandemic. Unfortunately, due to ongoing restrictions this plan sadly wasn't possible. Tolü instead teamed up with some producer friends, Passenger Friends HQ, from Nigeria to gather some kids and created a mini choir.

“I was on the phone for 6 hours working remotely with the kids as well as the Nigerian percussionist we hired for the day (an absolute legend), he played the shakers, conga, talking drum," the talented vocalist says. "It was intense and I really wish I was there in person, yet despite the current travel bans, we still managed to create this magical track.”

A seasoned vocalist possessing classic soul influences from the likes of Erykah Badu, Nina Simone and Nigerian/French singer-songwriter Asa, Tolü’s trajectory has ascended stratospherically since the release of her debut single ‘Goodbye’ in 2018.

'Aye' follows the huge success of the debut EP ‘Being’, and subsequently the Offaly-based artist's viral version of the classic Saw Doctors song ‘N17’ accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Watch the stunning video for 'Aye' below, directed by Ayofilmit: