By Abioye Damilare Samson

Behind every unforgettable song is a songwriter who knows how to relay different types of ideas into feeling and mental pictures. In the case of Ohiani’s Jaded, that songwriter is Abiola Adedeji. She has a way of distilling emotions into words that feel effortless yet resonant across different degrees.

Love songs come in different forms , sometimes fun, sometimes intense, other times, even nonsensical  but often require a delicate balance. They must carry enough weight to feel genuine without veering far off the feeling that the instrumentation communicates. Abiola understands this balance instinctively, crafting lyrics that engage without boring the listener.

Her pen game on “Jaded” is as precise as ever, measured, fun and unforced. The lyrics unfold naturally, guiding the listener through the song’s fun and laidback nature that’s created by the instrumental. She avoids the usual tropes of heartbreak anthems, opting instead for an upbeat perspective on youthful love. Each line feels like a worthy serenade, laced with some linings of Yoruba and written perfectly in sync with the song’s upbeat mood. The phrasing is conversational, with a simple writing structure, making the words easy to connect with but difficult to forget.

One of Abiola’s standout qualities as a songwriter is her ability to mold her writing to fit the perspective of the artist delivering the song. On “Jaded”, she steps into Ohiani’s world, embodying the upbeat vibe that the instrumental sets up.  Although named “Jaded”, the song is bouncy and filled with mellow kicks and drums. She writes from a place of knowing, relaying what a young and fun love can feel like. The words allow the listener to sink into the emotions being expressed through the instrumental’s texture.

What truly elevates the record is the synergy between Abiola’s writing and Ohiani’s delivery. A great song demands an artist who can bring its lyrics to life, and here, the connection is seamless. The way Ohiani leans into certain lines, the pauses and slight breaks in the voice make the words and vibe feel even more potent. Abiola does well to give room for Ohiani’spersonality and emotions to shine through. The result is a song that feels vibey, fun and worthy to play for a love interest.

Beyond the laid back nature of the written composition, there’s an elegance to how they flow with the production. ”Jaded” carries a hypnotic Afrobeats rhythm, and Abiola’s writing moves with it rather than against it. There’s a rhythmic quality to her lyricism that makes it easy to blend within the record’s Afrobeats soundscape, as if the words were meant to be sung exactly the way they are. She understands how to say the right things that relate to the record’s sonics. 

Abiola Adedeji, with “Jaded”, shows her ability to translate emotions into lyrics that linger. She writes with intention and an understanding of sonics, as well a clear understanding of how the artist could relay certain lyrics to fit their personality. Her work on ”Jaded” is yet another example of why her songwriting remains one of the most sought after in the new generation of music stars in Nigeria.