Sudanese rising talent Yahya follows up latest smash hits “Everything You Want” and “Heart of Stone”, returning to the sound sphere with lead single “UMEVERSE” taken from his brand new, highly anticipated EP Seasons Change Feelings Change dropped on January 15th.
Widely regarded for his unique voice and smart lyricism, Ahmed Yahya continues to demonstrate why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the game right now, serving up an enthralling cut, layered with electric guitar riffs and fast-tempo kick drums to introduce his long-awaited EP in true style. Immaculately produced, the soundtrack is matched with strong, emotive words from the young star, as he continues his run of nostalgic hitters – reminiscing on past relationships, signing: “Me and you just better off, you me vs the world, never say I’m better off without you, I need you for this life and I can’t do without you” – poignant and relatable in a time of need.
Growing up in the United States, Yahya naturally gravitated towards Hip-Hop but developing his sound using cuts from trap, R&B and rock, his 2020 hit project Is It Too Late To Miss You showcased a clear flair for diversity in his vocals and instrumentals. 2021 developed into a milestone year, releasing his acclaimed 4th project Days Pass amassing over 1.2 million streams on Spotify, the experimental project’s lead single “Didn’t Believe Me” was accompanied by his first official music video – written and performed by himself which would race to over 500,000 views on YouTube, solidifying Yahya’s complete creative vision and identity.
Now, Yahya is set to make 2022 his own with the biggest project of his career: his brand new EP Seasons Change Feelings Change. The distorted mind of the young Sudanese artist is certain to continue making waves and drawing critical attention across the new year.
K – Hey Yahya, how have you been? Did you have a nice Christmas and New Years?
Y – I’ve had the most abundant New Year’s ever, where dreams and reality became one and I’m living everything that I asked for and it’s only the start.
K – How have the last couple of years been for you? Both personally and musically?
Y – The growth musically and personally happened hand-in-hand – the more healed and matured my music became through hearing this newfound purity in my expression, I fall in love with music all over again, with a new perspective and new ears. So the creation is as fluid as my existence within myself and I’m in love with life and the creations I bring forth from it.
K – You have a super unique sound! How would you describe it to a new listener?
Y – My music is a reflection of me; pure, direct, intense and transparent. I use a range of sounds and instruments, whatever matches my emotions, and the lead instrument is always my voice. The emotion and raw power is what I love about it and the beauty behind the madness is whatever instrumentation fits the emotions conveyed.
K – Hailing from Sudan, tell us how this has impacted your overall sound?
Y – The overall delivery in Sudanese music is being focused on the vocals and the instrumentation used to convey emotions. Not necessarily to fit a certain flow or pocket but to fit the emotion emitted by the artist.
K – You have have a wonderful EP dropping called Seasons Change Feelings Change. Can you tell us the overall inspiration behind the record?
Y – The title symbolizes this start of a new life the ability to release all the leaves but keep my roots. I start all over again but this time stronger, wiser and more patient — the ability to revive my own self with new life and new soul and to continue to do so forever.
K – Can you give us a brief track-by-track rundown of the EP?
Y – This is based on a true story [The EP] and it follows as such. The starting track “UMEVERSE” is a song about meeting someone new and learning about them inside and out, then falling in love with all that is, even the parts that you overlook for the connection that you feel is surreal. It then leads into “Everything You Want» a conversation of promises and a bright future including all your desires. All it takes is a little faith and a promise that you’ll be there whenever I need. «Meet Me Front» is a continuation of that. Now that promises are made and commitment is in place I offer my hand to take you into this new world. In all that I give in our journey to this new place, we fight we fuss we argue but one of us is carrying the world while the other refuses to see that they can help so I bare my all and I tell you I gave all that I can give and more; new scars is me describing all the damage caused on this journey to new life then into high as me the medicated part of the journey the choice to forget or so it seems, then we lead into about you, as I bare my all you look at me and say well what about me and how that makes me feel, how painful it is for you to hear how you’ve hurt me so out of love I put myself aside and I ask about you, let’s make it about you.
K – What was the creative and production process of Seasons Change Feelings Change?
Y – Recording everyday for almost 9 months and just finding the story in the music and seeing where it all connects, because it always does and finding the best ways to tell the story I’ve been trying to tell.
K – If you had to choose a favourite track, which would it be and why?
Y – «Everything You Want” — the production is out of this world and it tells such a vivid story.
K – Arguably your biggest release so far has been “Didn’t Believe Me” which has amassed half a million Spotify streams! Did you expect this song to do as well as it has from the outset?
Y – Yes ! I felt it when I made it that at that time I had reached a new pinnacle within my own creations, and I was able to acknowledge it because I’m very conscious in my creation process.
K – What have you got planned for 2022? Any exciting news you can share?
Y – This is the year the world finds out and this is the year I take over the world from now till forever, I have 2 really big visuals coming alongside JAY WANETA leading into my first album in April ! Ep is very Much just a warm up it has yet to even start.
K – Can you give us three tips for any aspiring artist out there?
Y – Be you, be real and actually work for what you want, don’t just dream.
Follow YAYHA for music updates – @yahyaax3
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