Young Afro-pop sensation, Llona, just released the album trailer for his highly-anticipated debut,
Homeless that drops in July, a project with mental health, healing, and the struggles of young
Nigerians, as a focal point.
Born Michael Ajumah, the Kogi Native has been described as a foremost ‘weaver of sombre
melodies’ (here), a singer that ‘channels the theatre of his life into the script for his evergreen
musical therapy’ (here), and ‘a distinct voice’ among the new school of Afrobeats singers (here),
earning co-signs from artists like Bella Shmurda.
“Homeless” is a kinfolk-themed album that explores the struggles faced by Nigerian youth in
actualizing their dreams, finding community, and overcoming obstacles.This 12-song project is
not just an album but an audio biopic of Llona’s life, featuring guest artists, Bella Shmurda, Fave
& Wizard Chan. The album is accompanied by a documentary shot in Llona’s childhood
neighbourhood, providing a deep, personal look into the forces that shaped him. The project
captures the essence of Llona’s cultural identity while addressing universal themes of longing
and introspection.
Ahead of the album trailer, Llona released visuals for Another Day on the 9th of June (here), a
single that has tracked over a million streams on Spotify since its release on April 14th. The
single has since become an anthem, accompanied by major reactions on social media for many
who relate to the message of resilience.
The follow up single, Cold War featuring Fave, dropped on June 14th. It’s a perfect mesh of their
vocal styles, with both artists exchanging verses on dealing with doubt and loneliness.
The project is preceded by a partnership in May with Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, MANI,
which provided free counselling sessions for fans, and free therapy sessions for five individuals
(here). Llona partook in the counselling sessions, as well, demonstrating his belief in the cause,
as seen on songs like the project’s lead single, Another Day.
Homeless by LLONA
Listen to album HERE.
