LOS ANGELES BASED AFROPOP SIBLING DUO ITSENJ UNVEIL CAPTIVATING NEW EP ‘AÑURIKA’
Barely two months on from their buzzworthy Dappa Way EP, Los Angeles-based Nigerian American afropop sibling duo ITSENJ are excited to go again with their second EP of 2024. Titled AÑURIKA, which translates to “joy is greater”, the captivating 5-track opus is a vibrant and heartfelt expression of itsENJ’s African culture, pride, and identity, reflecting their roots in Enugu, and their enduring journey of global exploration. The Añurika EP sees the sibling duo of Chimdi and Otito aiming to unite the African diaspora through the universal language of music in the way that only itsENJ know how.
Recorded in the city of Lagos under the vibrant January sunshine earlier this year, Añurika captures the essence of itsENJ’s Nigerian heritage and the dynamic energy of Lagos, the heart of afrobeats music. Produced by itsENJ themselves, alongside burgeoning Nigerian beatsmiths ElvisBeatz and Mykah, who has also worked with Ozuna, Davido, and Maleek Berry, among others, the music on Añurika blends afrobeats, hip-hop, disco, and dancehall with native Igbo sounds, over which itsENJ’s Chimdi and Otito share raw truths about love, identity, despair, adversity, pain, success, and triumph.
Añurika sets the tone with ‘Enjoy Life’, with its message of living fearlessly and finding joy in our everyday experiences, and then flows into the glorious love song ‘Napukenda’, which means “I love you” in Swahili, and sees itsENJ waxing lyrical about taking that bold step of marriage with their special someone. The more introspective ‘Where You Dey’ delves into feelings of despair and the search for a connection with God, while ‘Ego’ celebrates the sibling duo’s Igbo tradition of working hard and celebrating with the fruits of your labour. The EP closes out in epic fashion, with the powerful life-affirming anthem ‘On God’ about overcoming adversity and having faith in the journey of life.
Speaking about the inspiration behind Añurika, itsENJ share, “Having grown up in the United States, we yearned for a deeper connection to our Nigerian roots. This longing led us to embrace African music – a journey that compelled us to delve into our Igbo heritage and the rich history of Nigeria. Through frequent trips to our home country, we’ve been fuelled by a desire to push boundaries, and embrace our native language and sounds, which has shaped this project. ‘Añurika’ is joy, it is a journey, it is love, it is unity. It is a celebration of our identity and an invitation to all to join us in this musical adventure.”
MORE ABOUT ITSENJ
Comprised of brothers Chimdi and Otito, itsENJ is the vibrant Nigerian American duo redefining the global sound of afropop and afrofusion music. Raised between the rich cultural landscapes of Enugu, and the bustling cityscapes of New York, and now living in Los Angeles, this unique background has allowed itsENJ to blend diverse influences into their eclectic sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in their African heritage. Their music aims to make people dance, smile, love, and reflect. With a clear commitment to their roots and community empowerment, as well as an innovative artistic sensibility, itsENJ and their ‘enjoy life’ mission are rapidly resonating with fans worldwide.
Their name itsENJ, which is short for “It’s Enjoyment”, perfectly captures their mission to infuse their music with joy and positivity. Their breakout single ‘PFI (Pray For It)’ featuring afropop sensation CKay, and their debut EP Born On The Moon launched itsENJ into the spotlight, marking them as significant new voices in the new wave of global music emerging from the African diaspora in America. Growing up in the culturally diverse Bronx borough of New York City, the brothers draw inspiration from a melting pot of African, Caribbean, and Hispanic influences, which enrich their sound, and enable itsENJ to connect with audiences from all walks of life, and create a lasting impact on the global music scene.
‘AÑURIKA’ EP TRACKLIST
1. Enjoy Life
2. Napukenda
3. WYD
4. Ego
5. On God
