Yanriyan Is Not Just a Song; It Is a Scripture for Lovers

By Emmanuel Waziri Okoro

In Yanriyan, Babajide Olumide Olowoyeye, famously called J12 created a communion of love, desire and longing. How he does this is no miracle, judging by his effortless skills of narration and description. With a beat that haunts, sound that arrests, and melody that resonates, Yanriyan stands as one of the few songs that could stick with listeners even after many times of replaying.  The song which was released on 19th April 2024 is a testament to the skill set of J12.

In Yanriyan, J12 journeys us through memory. The song started on a personal note, with a narration, albeit confession. For context, Yanriyan is the Hausa word for ‘lady’, one of whom J12 describes to be fine and set. There are many such slangs used to refer to a lady, especially one that is as fine and set as J12’s in the Nigeria music industry. Viz of which are: ekelebe, bani. But instead, J12 settled for the Hausa term, ‘Yanriyan’ ; an intentional choice aimed at bridging the gap between diversity and relativity.

Yanriyan narrates the art and craft of wooing a typical Nigerian lady. J12’s perfect study of the Nigerian music landscape, his personal experience as a youth, and acumen as an artiste, gave him a keen eye for such an astounding subject matter. In Yanriyan, he intersects love and longing. Yanriyan preaches that to love one must long. It’s why he started with longing for Tolani’s  love and attention: … she tell me say her name na Tolani, the girl good, the girl bad, the girl she set o.

The culture of wooing is well practiced in Nigeria by both genders; old and young.  It’s an industry that never stops booming. In Yanriyan, J12 confesses that he, too, patronizes this culture and tradition.  He narrates how a particular ordeal with Tolani went.

How experienced is J12, how excellent is he at wooing? How did his encounter with Tolani go? Who is Tolani? What does Tolani have that sets her worthy of J12’s chase? These are some intriguing questions whose answers J12 provided his listeners in Yanriyan. Beware: if you have a crush on J12, the answers might make you more jealous: wetin she carry egbami o/ the way she move fit kpai me o… your beauty dey make me kolo gàn.

J12 introduces Tolani as a well-endowed lady, whose common walk walks sense out of his head.  A lady whose shape is perfect she carry figure 8, the way she vibrate, she dey make me salivate. He gets so bewildered by Tolani’s pulchritude that he begins to think he’s bewitched: e come dey do me like say you dun hypnotize me. How does Tolani’s love taste in J12’s mouth? He answered, comparing Tolani’s love with palm wine: o girl you sweet pass pami o, you make my day i happy o.

Haven’t perceived Tolani’s love to be sweeter than palm wine, J12 wants more than a relationship. He wants something eternal as he begs for marriage: baby can you do me a favor? allow me to put a ring on your finger?  J12 seems pleased with Tolani’s love. In Yanriyan, J12 preaches that love comes with fulfillment. The constant description of Tolani’s beauty reassures the listeners of Tolani’s enchantment on J12. The chorus, well-paced and soulful, topped Yanriya’s replay value; making it a song for the heart. The misery in Yanriyan lyrics could be misunderstood for a call for help, which in actual sense, is a declaration; to not be saved, to be fully consumed by the flames of Tolani’s love.

Yanriyan is the lead single for the artiste’s soon to be released extended play “ Transition,” set for release on the 24th of May, 2024.  Since then it has ceased to be just a song; but a gospel.

J12’s astonishing storytelling and poetic lyrics arrests listeners into his imagination, making them feel as though they’re part of Tolani’s love escapade. Yanriyan’s  themes of love and longing are universal experiences, making it relatable to anyone who’s ever loved or long. With Yanriyan, J12 retains his genius as one of the brilliant musicians Nigeria has produced.

In Yanriyan, J12 returns with a masterpiece that moves the mind, body and soul. One that calls for dance, for its seamless rhythm and flow. Yanriyan is the song for love, loss, longing and deep reflection. Whether or not you are in love, want to be, or even grieving from a heartbreak, Yanriyan soothes. Yanriyan is not just a song, it’s a scripture for lovers.