Afro-fusion powerhouse Jemiriye Adeniji, popularly known as Jemiriye, has unveiled a new single and video titled “Olúróunbi”, a soul-stirring project rooted in a well-known Yoruba folktale.
The release poses a timeless question with striking present-day relevance: What would you sacrifice to become everything the world expects you to be?
Steeped in Nigerian cultural heritage, ‘Olúróunbí’ was recorded and produced between Paris and the United States, while its accompanying music video was shot in Bali, Indonesia. The track fuses Jemiriye’s commanding vocals with Nigerian rhythms, indigenous Yoruba chants, live orchestral instrumentation and contemporary production.
READ ALSO: Yoruba Leaders Seek to Preserve Culture, Heritage
“Olúróunbí takes me back to those village nights under the stars,” says Jemiriye.
“As a child, I was drawn to the chant and rhythm. Growing older, I began to understand the weight of the story. It speaks to something deeply human: the desire for a better life, the pressure to prove ourselves and the danger of pursuing success without asking what it might cost us,” she noted.
In the folktale, Olurounbi yearns for motherhood, prosperity and status. She enters into a pact with a sacred Iroko tree, pledging her unborn child in exchange for her desires. When the moment arrives to fulfil the bargain, her prosperity turns to anguish.
Jemiriye draws a parallel between the ancient tale and contemporary realities. “As a Black woman working to break barriers, I understand the pressure to over-promise, over-deliver and constantly prove your worth,” she stated.
“Olúróunbí is a reminder to stop chasing emptiness, protect your peace and refuse to trade your humanity for a seat at a table that demands everything from you,” Jemiriye emphasised.
The refrain “Olurounbi o join join iroko join join!” brings the cadence of oral tradition into a modern Afro-fusion soundscape, making the work both culturally rooted and globally appealing.
Listening and release celebrations are scheduled to hold in Paris, Los Angeles and Lagos. Further details will be announced separately.
Jemiriye Adeniji, who performs as Jemiriye, is an internationally acclaimed Afro-fusion artiste and cultural ambassador whose work blends African musical traditions, indigenous storytelling and contemporary global influences. With ‘Olúróunbí’, she reimagines a cherished Yoruba folktale as a contemporary reflection on ambition, identity and the true meaning of success.
Vanguard
