"Monalisa" is a song by Nigerian singer Lojay and Nigerian record producer Sarz. It appeared as the fifth track off their joint EPLV N ATTN (2021), and was produced by Sarz. The song was a sleeper hit, and it earned Sarz the award for Producer of the Year at The Headies 2022. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Afrobeats Single of the Year, and Viewer's Choice at the same event. It received further nominations for African Song of the Year at the 3Music Awards 2022, Best Single at the 2023 Urban Music Awards, Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary at the All Africa Music Awards 2021, and African Fan's Favorite at the All Africa Music Awards 2022. The music video for "Monalisa" was directed by UAX and filmed in Lagos.[1]
A remix to "Monalisa" featuring American singer Chris Brown and was released after the song's breakthrough. Following its release, "Monalisa" achieved international success, receiving airplay on BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, Kiss, and Capital Xtra, and appearing at number 30 on The Fader's list of the 100 Best Songs of the Year.[2][3][4][5]
Background
"Monalisa" was originally released on 4 June 2021 as the fifth track off the collaborative EP LV N ATTN. Lojay and Sarz met during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 through a mutual friend who was Lojay's lawyer.[6] Sarz agreed to collaborate after being drawn to Lojay's distinctive vocal tone and delivery. The pair recorded "Monalisa" during sessions for their joint extended play LV N ATTN (2021). According to Lojay, the song was initially overlooked in favor of the EP's title track featuring Wizkid, which they expected to be the main single. Sarz, on the other hand, believed "Monalisa" would eventually outshine the other songs on the project. Musically, the song combines Afrobeats and Amapiano elements, produced at a time when Amapiano was gaining momentum in Nigeria. Sarz first created the beat without log drums but later incorporated them to reflect the growing influence of the genre. Lojay described "Monalisa" as "an Afrobeats song with an Amapiano influence," while Sarz cited South African house and Amapiano as inspirations for its production.[7]
Reception
"Monalisa" received positive reviews from critics. Frank Ude of Doth Music described the song as a "humble club-ready mini-banger," noting Lojay's "crooned lines running over Sarz’s afro-pop production" and rated it 8.3 out of 10. Ude highlighted its suitability for dance playlists despite calling it "nothing out of the ordinary" for Afropop.[8] Reviewing the LV N ATTN EP, Pulse Nigeria'sMotolani Alake said that Lojay "adorns the female body like a temple" on "Monalisa," citing his "delicately crafted lyrics" and his mix of Yoruba, Pidgin, and English.[9]
Adewojumi Aderemi of The Native, also reviewing LV N ATTN, praised the song as a "fun dance number," describing it as a "Lojay masterclass" and commending Sarz’s production for blending rapid shakers and mellow chords into a cohesive groove. She added that Sarz and Lojay's chemistry resulted in "back-to-back bangers."[10] In a review of the remix featuring Chris Brown, Mufaro Mujuru of Grungecake called the song "relishable and groovy," describing it as "a danceable Amapiano-influenced piece with a catchy and repetitive chorus." Mujuru praised Lojay’s "sultry vocals" and Brown's "at-home" contribution that included Nigerian Pidgin, while commending Sarz’s production for being detailed "without spoiling the broth."[11]
The official remix to "Monalisa" featuring American singer Chris Brown was released on 20 May 2022 after the song's breakthrough.[2] In an interview, Lojay said he collaborated with Chris Brown on the remix to help the song reach a wider global audience. Brown recorded his verse soon after receiving the track.[15] During Brown's set at the 2022 Wireless Festival in London, Lojay joined him on stage to perform the song.[16]
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