Music

WAJI Fearlessly Confronts Toxic Relationships Head On In Empowering Single “BMH”

“BMH” tells a heartfelt story of liberation from an abusive relationship with cascading pop instrumentation and a passionately anthemic chorus.

Alt-pop singer-songwriter WAJI makes a splash with their newest single, “BMH,” out January 19th. This track is a moment for the artist in which they poured their most vulnerable emotions from a beyond-challenging hardship into their art. For WAJI, this was one of their main ways of coping through an emotionally abusive relationship in which they felt more pain than pleasure. This track layers airy fingerpicking with a punchy beat, creating a breezy soundscape with an edge. The somber delivery in WAJI’s smooth vocal blossoms into a beautifully anthemic chorus built upon an empowering moment of recognition for the wrong-doings of their former lover. WAJI finds inspiration in Nigerian artists like 2Baba and Asa, who approach their songs with freshness and charisma; listeners can expect the same electric attitude from WAJI on “BMH.”

Ima Ikuru, the artist behind WAJI, took a unique perspective when writing “BMH.” While the artist struggled in the midst of a painful hardship, unable to find the strength to break away from their relationship, they channeled their grief into a character with the power to take control. In collaboration with producer Don Ozi, WAJI managed to capture an empowering heartbreak anthem gearing towards a better future. “I had just left my partner’s place and was in the middle of one of my breakup fantasies,” they recall, “when Don Ozi sent me this beat, I didn’t even have to think about it, I just sat there and poured my heart out.” Featuring lyrics in Nigerian pidgin English, WAJI led the songwriting while Don Ozi took charge of the production. WAJI conveys in BMH that no matter how brave or strong, making the choice to end a relationship can be tough for anyone. As the beat switches up in the second verse, feelings of anxiety and apprehension come to fruition in lyrics like, “don’t wanna be here beside you, don’t wanna love anybody besides you.” For WAJI, “this song eventually inspired [them] to leave, and [they] hope the vulnerability of the lyrics can inspire other trapped individuals to be strong enough to set themselves free.”

Listeners can stream “BMH” on all major streaming platforms January 19th.

More about WAJI:

WAJI is a colorful singer-songwriter known for their mesmerizing story telling abilities. Playful lyricism, catchy melodies, and relatable stories characterize the type of music listeners can expect from WAJI. Nigerian influences shine brightly through WAJI’s sound; artists like 2Baba and Asa are at the top of the list. They also gravitate towards artists like Bruno Mars and The Weeknd, who bring versatility, charisma, and confidence to their music. Having grown up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the now Georgia based artist made the transition to the U.S. to study mechanical engineering before diving into their music career. WAJI embraces the spotlight on every track as they deliver engaging melodies with creativity and playfulness. The songwriter channels their personal experiences into their music and offers a charming sincerity backed by a charming confidence. Despite their introverted nature, WAJI has no issue letting their personality and style shine through their music. Fans can expect new music from WAJI in 2022 while they excitedly anticipate the release of their upcoming EP.

Once in college, WAJI began exploring their personal identity and becoming more in touch with themselves than ever before. The social disapproval from their Nigerian peers made accepting the more intimate parts of themselves especially difficult; while life in the U.S. made it easier to live freely as their true self, the extreme cultural shift made it difficult for the artist to adjust. WAJI found themselves spending most of their day escaping reality through songwriting to cope with the burdens of frustration and isolation. The songwriter made the courageous decision to release one of the many stories they had stockpiled despite feelings of social anxiety and loneliness. Their first release on soundcloud, “Baby,” in 2019 was received a more than positive response from listeners. The artist joined MaxterMix Music Group Collective – a collaborative artist community – shortly after this release, and continued working to hone their craft with this newfound support system. For WAJI, they hope that listeners can find the same sense of freedom and release from their music that the artist feels while writing.

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Music

Jake Paul Sets the Stage for His Toughest Test Yet Against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28

When Jake Paul put on a pair of boxing gloves for the first time, everyone laughed. Some dismissed him as just another YouTube celebrity looking for clout. But whether you love him or loathe him, Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) has transformed from a viral novelty into a bona fide figure in the fight game. His biggest challenge is on tap—a faceoff with former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The 10-round fight, which was announced Friday by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, will take place at a 200-pound catchweight and be shown live on DAZN pay-per-view. This is not some other novelty fight. This is a risky maneuver, a high-stakes bet, and a pivotal moment in Jake Paul’s career.

Chavez Jr., the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., is no stranger to secrecy or controversy. The 38-year-old has done it all by now, with more than 60 professional fights and a WBC title. But though his name still resonates, recent outings have caused fans to wonder if he’s genuinely committed to the sport. He has gone from bursts of brilliance to maddening inconsistency. Enter Jake Paul. He is 27, a decade younger, and he’s made his brand shocking the world one fight at a time. By knocking out former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and beating seasoned veterans of the sport in his last couple of fights, Paul has demonstrated that he’s a fighter who trains hard, shows up in the ring, and improves fight after fight. “I am not here to be dismissed anymore,” Paul said. “One, people believed this was a gimmick. I’m at a point where I want to fight world champions, and Chavez Jr. is the first step towards that.”

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The Paul-Chavez Jr. fight is a cultural moment. It is the crossroads of old-school boxing lineage and new-age promotion. It’s just the sort of fight that has traditionalists chatting and TikTok fans watching. For Paul, this is a significant step toward title contention. Critics will say he hasn’t faced a “real boxer” yet, but Chavez Jr. destroys that narrative. In addition to being a seasoned veteran, he’s also a former world champion with a deep boxing IQ and hammers of his own.

“Chavez Jr. is everything I’ve been working toward,” Paul said. “He’s a true fighter. He’s been in there with everybody. And now he’s getting in there with me.” For Chavez Jr., it’s an opportunity to regain relevance and silence the critics who have questioned his heart and discipline over the past few years. Defeating Jake Paul, who boasts a huge following and considerable media coverage, would not only represent a win but a comeback. What’s interesting is the agreed weight of 200 pounds. It’s a step up from Chavez Jr.’s most of his career, and well within the cruiserweight realm, where Paul is comfortable. Physicality will matter in this fight. That sort of mass isn’t how Paul is accustomed to moving, but it is how Chavez Jr. is used to moving, and he’ll need to adjust.

“This isn’t my first time going up in weight,” Chavez Jr. said. “I’ve fought big guys before. Jake Paul is powerful, yes, but he’s inexperienced. He’ll find that out.” With both fighters possessing knockout power and a penchant for the dramatic, the matchup promises to bring the fireworks from the opening bell. And for the crowd at Honda Center, it will be a night they don’t forget. This is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, led by Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya, which adds an additional layer of credibility to the proceedings. A stamp from Golden Boy, in partnership with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, suggests a merging of boxing’s golden age with a viral, digital future.

“Jake Paul has proven he has his act together for boxing,” De La Hoya said. “This is not a joke anymore. He is up against someone with pedigree, experience, and power. This is what boxing needs: big moments, big personalities, and high stakes.” A victory over Chavez Jr. would be a career-defining achievement for Jake Paul, potentially even thrusting him into title consideration at cruiserweight. For someone who started as an internet personality, that kind of narrative arc is nothing short of wild, but it’s also very real.

For Chavez Jr., this is an opportunity for redemption. But his final years were defined by intermittent appearances, issues with training, and criticism. A loss to Paul would be a devastating blow to his legacy, but a win? It’s only one thing that could start a comeback.“This fight is legacy-defining for both guys, just in completely different ways,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “Jake wants to be treated like a future world champion. Chavez Jr. wants to show people who he is and what he can do.”

Expect bold entrances. Expect a packed Honda Center with fight fans, influencers, celebrities, and boxing purists. Expect talk trash, social media activity, and maybe more drama inside the ring. But above all, expect a real battle. “I’m not underestimating him, and he better not underestimate me,” Paul said. “This is not for YouTube views. This is for respect.”

Training camps are already in full swing, with both fighters bringing in the best accessible sparring partners and conditioning coaches. The excitement is building, but rest assured: When June 28 comes, the two men will be ready to risk it all. Boxing has long sought a way to connect older fans with younger viewers. Whether intentionally or not, Jake Paul has been a catalyst for that evolution. His fights draw millions, many of whom are new to boxing.

And with the legends of the sport, like Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, now retired or in exhibition-mode, Paul vs. Chavez Jr. is a different kind of spectacle: entertaining, unpredictable and strangely meaningful. And signed by politicians royals Oscar De La Hoya among others, the boxing world has finally accepted that not only is this not a fad — it’s the future. Jake Paul Is Out to Prove He’s More Than a YouTuber-Turned-Boxer. He’s on a mission to show he belongs on the same poster as champions. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is out to show that bloodline and battle-tested experience can still mean something in this shifting fight landscape. When they face off June 28, it won’t all be about punches thrown. It will be about statements, respect, and narratives.

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Artist Spotlight

Noah Zayden releases a new single “Fuego”

With “Fuego,” Zayden turns the tables. It’s still personal, still vulnerable, but this time the narrative moves toward hope. Inspired by the realness of heartbreak and the fear of love lost, Fuego is like watching emotional armor slowly melt. The beat is subdued but warm, and his vocal delivery has a fragility that makes every line sound confessional.

It’s not only how to fall in love, it’s also how to learn to trust again after being burned. There’s something beautiful about that vulnerability, something powerful about electing to jump anyway. “Fuego” just speaks the truth. And in its simplicity, it glows bright.

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