Young Afro-pop sensation, Llona, just dropped his debut studio LP, “Homeless”—a mental health-centric project that highlights the struggles of young Nigerians and chronicles their journey of healing. Born Michael Ajumah, the Kogi Native has been described as a brilliant weaver of sombre melodies. A singer that channels the gallery of his life into a therapeutic sonic experience. He easily stands out amongst the new wave of Afrobeats singers, earning co-signs from the likes of Bella Shmurda.
“Homeless” is a kinfolk-themed album that explores the strifes encountered by the Nigerian youth in realizing 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 and Wizard Chan. The album is accompanied by a documentary shot in Llona’s childhood neighbourhood, giving a deeper insight into his background and the forces that forged him. The project captures the essence of Llona’s cultural identity, whilst exploring universal themes of yearning and introspection.
Ahead of the release of the album trailer, Llona released visuals for “Another Day” on the 9th of June, a single that has racked up over a million streams on Spotify, since its release. The single has become something of an anthem, accompanied by frenzied reactions on social media for many who resonate with the message of resilience. The follow-up single, Cold War featuring Fave, dropped on June 14th—and is the ideal blend of their contrasting vocal textures, with both artists trading verses on the struggle of contending with doubt and loneliness.
This 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. Llona participated in the therapy sessions, as well, demonstrating his belief in the cause, as evidenced on songs like the project’s lead single, “Another Day.”
