Since placing in the Top 20 on American Idol Season 22, singer/songwriter Ajii has not stopped working to establish himself in the international music scene, gaining fans all over the world. Now he releases his infectious, clever and provocatively titled pop/soul single Gahdayum. The track was produced by LA-based producer Marky Style and Jintae Ko, a Grammy-winning songwriter/producer who has worked with mega hitmakers OneRepublic, Jason Derulo, Sabrina Carpenter, and many others.
“Gahdayum is about how I quickly went from streetlights to spotlights in just a few months,” Ajii tells us when we ask him about the meaning of his new single, which he presents up front with vocals and guitar before the bold, funky production kicks in, and perfectly captures the excitement and optimism of suddenly having this huge platform as an artist after leading a steady gigging nu-metal band in New York for several years. “Everything I've been manifesting in pursuit of my dreams is starting to come to life and all I can say is, Gahdayum. It's the equivalent of me saying wow, this is amazing. So many great things, both big and small, are happening. And the energy here really celebrates that.”
This is the second release under the Brooklyn native’s deal with BMG Nashville/19 Recordings for the artist who had worked for several years as a security guard, front desk clerk and intaker at a nursing home. The autobiographical track was written by Ajii and four co-writers, including Brandon Stewart, Ryan Baharloo and the team that also produced the singer’s recent debut label single, Rich Man. “It’s definitely pop and R&B influenced but I sing a few lines with a country kind of twang. It’s got that twist of being different and aligns with my goal to be a genre-bending artist,” he adds about his latest release.