There is More Than One Sound to Yarden’s Music

There was a Yarden making music long before TikTok introduced his voice to a wider audience. His songs are soothing and expressive, but there is always something pristine to discover as one record opens up a chapter unto the next. It is the kind of music that leaves you curious about where he might take you next.

That curiosity has been part of Yarden’s relationship with music from the beginning. His relationship with music began with listening to the records of Michael Jackson, P-Square, 2Face, Bruno Mars, and other artistes he grew up admiring. By 13, he had joined a church choir, finding another way to grow his love for singing. In 2020, he focused on making his own music and turned an interest that had followed him from childhood into a full blown career.

So when “Wetin,” came along, what started as an experiment with Afrobeats and an attempt to stay active on TikTok became a life-changing moment, opening doors and introducing his music to a much wider audience. But Yarden's interest has never been in making the same song twice. Yarden’s secret code is drawing from different genres, experiences and even spiritual influences. He approaches each record as an opportunity to explore another side of himself. Now, with his debut album, ANGEL, he brings those different inspirations together around a familiar feeling: love.

For Yarden, though, love isn't limited to the soft and innocent. As he explains, “It’s about innocent, pure love, the kind of love where you’re so deeply in love with someone that you’re willing to get a little dirty for them, you know?”

 

 

TTC: A lot of people know you as the guy behind that popular TikTok love song, but there was a Yarden making music long before that moment. What was your introduction to music-making, and what first drew you to it?

Yarden: My introduction to music started with listening to old music while growing up. I grew up listening to artistes like Michael Jackson, P-Square, 2Face, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, and Justin Bieber. I would sing along to their songs, even while doing my chores at home. It was something I naturally enjoyed doing.

At 13, I joined the choir, which gave me the opportunity to develop my voice and continue honing my musical skills. Over time, my love for music grew beyond just listening and singing along. In 2020, I finally started making music of my own, turning something that had always been a part of my life into something I could actively create.

 

TTC: I knew “Wetin” quite well before I knew who Yarden was, and I wonder how often that happens to you. Do you meet people who recognize the song before they recognize you? What does that experience mean to you, and does it push you to do more?

Yarden: “Wetin” blowing up on TikTok was a life-changing experience for me. It was actually my first Afrobeats song, so navigating that sound was a learning process. I was experimenting, trying different things, and figuring things out along the way.

But the song opened a lot of doors for me and gave me a much wider reach. Funny enough, people sometimes recognize me more from other songs or things I’ve done, and when they find out I made “Wetin”, it comes as a surprise. Interestingly, “Wetin” seems to have more recognition outside Nigeria.

Overall, it’s been a great experience. It motivates me to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep challenging myself to become a better artiste and make better music. I see it as a reminder that there’s still so much more I can do with my art

 

TTC: Your project titles seem to share a familiar thread. Your first EP was The One Who Descends, and now you’ve announced your debut album, ANGEL. What inspires these titles, and is there a bigger story or meaning connecting the two projects?

Yarden: Honestly, it’s not something I consciously plan. I think that’s just how my mind works. It’s like a library of old and new inspirations, and different things come together naturally when I’m creating.

My art is also very spiritual, with a lot of biblical influence, because that’s how I see and experience music. Those elements tend to find their way into my work, so they’ve become recurring themes in what I create.

But at the core of everything, the consistent themes are good vibes and love. No matter how different the sounds or concepts might be, those are the things I always find myself coming back to.

 

TTC: “Wetin” became the song that introduced you to a much wider audience. What inspired the record, and did you ever imagine it would reach that level of popularity? Also, what made you decide to carry the song on your own rather than bring in a featured artiste?

Yarden: The record was inspired by Oxlade’s “KU LO SA” and Céline Dion’s “A New Day Has Come.” I was experimenting with the sound, creating content around it, and trying to stay active on TikTok. I honestly didn’t expect it to go as far as it did.

As for collaborations, it’s not that I’m against having features. I’ve just had experiences with songs being taken down, and that can really affect a record. So, especially when it comes to working with bigger artistes, I’m more conscious of those possibilities. You don’t want to put a song out, have it gain momentum, and then have it taken down because of an issue with the collaboration. Those are some of the things I’ve had to learn along the way.

 

TTC: For you, what does a typical songwriting day look like? Where do your ideas usually come from, and how do you turn them into songs?

Yarden: Songwriting comes pretty naturally to me because I write about things I experience myself or things my friends experience. I just try to keep it real, short, and simple. I don’t like overcomplicating things. I let the music come freely and naturally.

Sometimes, I’ll literally be in my bathroom and a melody or an idea will just come to me. I’ll hit up my producer, or sometimes I’ll produce the idea myself. It’s a pretty effortless process for me, to be honest.

I think making music is the easy part. The harder part is everything that comes after marketing, promoting the record, and getting it in front of the right audience. Creating the music comes naturally, but getting people to hear it is a whole different ball game.

 

TTC: You’re moving into a new chapter with your debut album, ANGEL, which features Kemuel, Dxtiny, and Fimi. What did you want to capture with this project? Is there a particular element of the album that you think might surprise your listeners?

Yarden: This album represents a new approach for me, both as a person and as an artiste. It reflects my growth and how I’m evolving sonically. I wanted to experiment more with the soundscape, explore different ideas, and do more with the music itself.

At the end of the day, though, the theme is love. It’s about innocent, pure love, the kind of love where you’re so deeply in love with someone that you’re willing to get a little dirty for them, you know? I wanted to explore that balance between innocence, intimacy, and sensuality.

The message is simple, and I didn’t want to overcomplicate it. I just wanted to make music that makes you feel good, music that feels sexy, music you can enjoy in different moments of your life. Ultimately, it’s about love and the feeling that comes with it.

 

TTC: “So Cold” with Morien and Swayvee has a more upbeat feel than some of your mellow records, and “SO DAMN FINE,” the album’s opening track, seems to explore that side of you too. What inspired “SO DAMN FINE,” and should listeners expect more of this upbeat side of Yarden?

Yarden: For this project, I really wanted to make records you could vibe to music with energy, upbeat rhythms, and a confident feel. “So Damn Fine” was inspired by Drake, “Nokia,” “Midnight Star,” Michael Jackson, and Cavemen. I wanted to bring those different influences together and capture that kind of energy in the record.

At the same time, I wanted to make music that makes the ladies feel good, feel beautiful, and feel sexy. It’s really about confident upbeat music that makes you feel good about yourself, makes you want to move, and puts you in a certain mood.

 

TTC: Which artistes or genres have influenced the way you make music, and is there a new sound or a particular artiste you'd like to work with?

Yarden: My inspirations are pretty broad, to be honest. I listen to all kinds of music, and I draw inspiration from different sounds, genres, and artistes. Going forward, I really want to keep exploring because I don’t like being boxed into one sound or being known for just one thing. I like the freedom to experiment and evolve.

Even looking at my catalogue, I’d say no two songs sound exactly alike, both in terms of production and sonically. I try to bring something different to every record while still making sure it feels authentic to me as an artiste.

I’m also open to working with a wide range of artistes, from people in the underground scene to more established acts. I love the idea of bringing different worlds together, learning from other creatives, and discovering new sounds through collaboration.

 

TTC: You started making music at a young age and found a home at Etins Records early. How has being part of Etins Records contributed to your growth, and what difference has that support made to your journey so far?

Yarden: Being part of the Etins Records family is, like I said, really like being part of a family. We’ve been pushing together, and whenever something doesn’t work, we go back to the drawing board, try something different, and keep pushing until we reach the goal.

We’re constantly trying to raise the bar, whether it’s the quality of the music, the content we put out, or the shows we deliver. There’s always room to do better, and being around people who share that mindset inspires you to keep going.

I think one of the most important things is that we look beyond just making music. We focus on building you as an artiste, developing your brand, and treating your career as a business. That bigger-picture approach is important because it’s not just about putting out songs; it’s about building something sustainable.

 

TTC: Listeners seem to connect with your storytelling. What do you think makes your songs so relatable? And when you listen to the Yarden who was making music in 2022 compared to the artiste you are today, what do you think has changed the most?

Yarden: Honestly, I think what people connect with the most in my music is how raw and emotional it is, and that feeling of nostalgia that comes with it. So, in terms of my approach to making music, nothing has really changed. I still want to keep things authentic and let the emotions lead.

What I’m looking to do now is explore more, mature sonically, and reach a wider audience of people who appreciate different layers of music and have a more refined taste. I want to keep evolving without losing what makes my sound mine.

Ultimately, the goal is worldwide reach. I see Nigeria as just one part of a much bigger picture. There’s so much more ground to cover, so many more people to reach, and so many stories to tell through my music. We just have to keep working, keep growing, and keep pushing until we hit that billion-stream milestone.

 

TTC: Looking ahead, where do you see yourself and your music in the next five to ten years? What do you hope to have achieved by then?

Yarden: My plan is really to keep making music, keep growing as an artiste, and build on whatever progress I make over time. I believe in compounding those little wins, reaching more people with every release, and continuing to grow my audience globally.

Of course, I want to win awards, hit a billion streams, and ultimately build real wealth through music. But beyond all of that, I want to be able to sustain myself doing what I genuinely love. For me, it’s about building a lasting career, reaching my full potential as an artiste, and enjoying the journey along the way.

 

TTC: Before we close this entry of TurnTable’s Discovery Diary, leave a sign-out message for readers who might just be discovering your music today.

Yarden: Hi, my name is YARDEN. I’m an artiste from Nigeria, and I love making music, creating art, and just doing cool stuff. I love being around cool people, chilling, vibing, and listening to jazz.

As for the message I want to leave with people, honestly, it’s really not that deep. We’re all just passing through life, so I think you should make every moment count, enjoy yourself, and have fun while you’re here.

I also have an album coming out, so please check it out, give it a stream, and enjoy the music. I hope you connect with it and have as much fun listening as I had creating it. ❤️