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By Damiete Braide
Rising Afrosounds artiste, TJ Vybez, has released a new single, YAWA, accompanied by a cinematic music video directed by Ino Moses, a filmmaker who has won multiple awards.
The song combines energetic street expressions with themes of ambition, perseverance, confidence and self-belief, reflecting the singer’s determination to establish a distinctive identity in Nigeria’s evolving music industry.
TJ Vybez, who has previously released songs including Illegal, Myself, Available and Baddie on his EP, I Must Succeed, said his latest offering was inspired by the need to remain focused on personal goals despite distractions and challenges.
According to the artiste, YAWA encourages listeners to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles without allowing competition or criticism to derail their ambitions.
“Everybody has dreams, but along the way, you encounter distractions, competition and people who may not understand your vision,” he said.
He described the single as a blend of entertainment and a message of determination, adding that its central theme was the importance of believing in oneself and remaining committed to one’s aspirations.
“The message in YAWA is to encourage people to believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams. Life comes with challenges, but you cannot allow every obstacle to stop your progress. Sometimes you have to stay focused, work hard and trust the process,” he said.
The singer explained that his music draws inspiration from his environment, personal experiences and the determination to succeed against all odds.
He said he wanted his songs to connect with listeners through relatable lyrics and contemporary African sounds, while communicating the realities of life beyond entertainment.
“I want people to listen to my music and feel something they can relate to,” he added.
Beyond the song’s message, TJ Vybez said he opted for a cinematic music video to give the project a stronger storytelling dimension rather than relying solely on conventional performance scenes.
He explained that combining music with visual storytelling would enable audiences to connect with the song’s message through characters, emotions and relatable experiences.
“Music is powerful, but when you combine it with storytelling, people can experience the message differently. The idea was to create a video that people would not only watch because they enjoy the song, but also because they are interested in the story,” he said.
On his collaboration with Ino Moses, the artiste said the filmmaker brought a storytelling perspective that helped translate the song’s energy and message into compelling visuals.
He noted that the creative direction was designed to make the video memorable while reinforcing the themes of confidence, survival, grace and perseverance that define the song.
Looking ahead, TJ Vybez said he remained committed to improving his songwriting, vocal delivery and production quality while exploring new creative possibilities.
“I will continue to learn, experiment and understand my sound better without limiting myself to one expression,” he said.
The release of YAWA marks another step in the singer’s effort to expand his catalogue and strengthen his presence in the Afrosounds scene.
