Iyanya Shares Story Behind Naming His New Album After Social Media Remark

In an exclusive interview with Naija FM, Iyanya delved into his latest album ‘Once Upon A Cat,’ which showcases collaborations with a diverse array of up-and-coming artists…READ ALSOIyanya Reflects On Meeting A Lady At Davido’s Concert “Her Eyes Caught My Attention, Not Her Appearance”

When questioned about the album’s title and his choice to collaborate with emerging talents, Iyanya disclosed that the inspiration stemmed from an unexpected source—a remark by a social media critic.

Recall that last year, a viral debate erupted on social media when Davido referred to Burna Boy as part of a new generation of Afrobeats stars, dubbing them “new cats,” alongside Rema and Asake.

This debate sparked conversations about categorizing artists as either new or old cats. Amidst the dialogue, one user humorously labeled Iyanya as “once upon a cat” in pidgin.

Iyanya revealed that this comment struck a chord with him and his team, ultimately leading to the selection of the album title.

Highlighting a roster of emerging talents such as Moonlight Afriqa, Tee Dollar, Qing Madi, M3lon, Pawwz, and Young Duu, Iyanya explained that his intention was to shine a spotlight on these promising artists.

Furthermore, Iyanya disclosed plans to create remixes of his classic hits compiled into an album.

In the comprehensive 23-minute interview, Iyanya also discussed his enduring partnership with longtime associate Ubi Franklin, as well as addressing the social media buzz surrounding his friendship with a female fan he met at Davido’s 2023 Timeless concert.