IYAMAH - Gemini Guy (Single)
“Gemini Guy”is the new single from Brighton-born London-based artist Sophie Bond AKA IYAMAH (eye-yam-ah) taken from her upcoming 10-track album ‘In Two Worlds’, set for release in March 2024.
The track follows previous singles “Green Grass feat. Kofi Stone” and “Chasing Dreams” which saw extensive support from the likes of Victoria Jane (BBC Radio 1) and Jess Iszatt (BBC Introducing), as well as IYAMAH’s recent feature on Pola & Bryson’sShogun Audio release “Too Shy”.
Within astrology, Geminis–the twins–have a reputation of having two sides. Written two years ago, “Gemini Guy” was inspired by this concept, after IYAMAH realised that just when you think you might know someone, there can be a whole other side to them you did not know at all. “Through this experience, I found myself thinking about how relationships often can highlight parts of ourselves which we didn’t see before–our two sides. We are all mirrors, and often we choose to see and show only a part of something, rather than in its entirety” - IYAMAH
This idea of duality, especially that which is found when looking at dreams vs reality echoes across IYAMAH’s up coming project ‘In Two Worlds’. In examining what it is to dream, to hope and to want, she identifies the difference between those whose dreams remain a fantasy, and those who manifest their dreams into existence; “what is about the parallel universes that separates, divides and pushes them away?”, she asks. Across ‘In Two Worlds’, IYAMAH analyses her relationship with the two sides of her past and her inner child and the impact this has had on her relationships with nature, money, religion, and spirituality, all the while questioning how such a dreamer could ever get so lost in the in-between of two worlds between hopeful fantasy and manifested reality.
Growing up on the sounds of African drumming and reggae music in the seaside town of Brighton (UK), IYAMAH began to use songwriting at the piano as a way of diary-like expression age twelve. By sixteen, immersed in the festival culture and vibrancy from dub and DnB nights, she started writing top lines for DnB tracks with Brighton-based label Shogun Audio. She went on to feature on My Nu Leng’s “Senses”, touring the summer festivals including Glastonbury and SW4. She decided to follow her own path as a solo artist and focused on developing a distinct soulful R&B sound, which she describes as Rootsy Soul, as she continues to remain connected to her musical beginnings, favourite genres, and lyrical focus on identity, self-worth and female empowerment.