Sudbury Music Sensation, Pa.II, pronounced, ‘Pea-Ayy-The-Second,’ is making waves in the Canadian music scene with his authentic blend of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall and pop elements.
With a rich cultural heritage and musical influences that span continents, Pa.II’s sound is a refreshing addition to the Canadian music landscape and aims to prove that with his project, “ILLAH: Eviction Notice” scheduled to be released later this year.
The second single, Long Time was written and recorded following the emotional journey, Pa.II made home to see his family and friends after more than a decade away from his birthplace in Nigeria.
That trip and the events that followed including leaving his long-term studio after a decade and betrayals from the most unexpected places birthed this project – a delectable combination of melodies and emotional lyrics painting a picture of a man caught between worlds.
Long Time reflects on childhood friendships, lost love, family ties and the memories that forged these bonds.
“When Long Time came to me, I just saw flashes of different scenes from my time in Nigeria as a child- eating mangoes with my late uncle while sitting in the tree, running out of the house at 4pm to catch the boys on the soccer field to the dismay of my parents. Those were great times…” Pa.II recounts.
Long Time sets the theme of the project that will tackle themes of loss and lack while forging ahead. It tells a tale of a man who through immigration has lost friends and touch with his old self yet has found a new outlook for the future.
The low-mid tempo song has a reggae styled baseline blending with the Pidgin English lyrics synonymous with the Afrobeats genre.
It is the simple yet catchy hook that leads the way for a complex emotional tone and melancholic verse that contracts the optimism of the chorus.
This contrast creates a rich and nuanced emotional landscape, where the song’s themes and melodies balance between reflective, contemplative moments and uplifting, celebratory moments.
This blend of emotions makes for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant song that is sure to bring a few people to mind for any listener.
“Long Time” reflects on some of my best childhood memories. Leaving Nigeria to Canada as a child and coming back as a man meant that a lot changed from the landscape to the people. Some faces are now only memories; some are just altogether different people with different perspectives. This song serves as a poignant reminder to cherish relationships while we can, acknowledging life’s fleeting nature and the uncertainty of tomorrow”, Pa.II adds.
About Pa.II
Pa.II’s music is a testament to his Nigerian roots and Canadian upbringing. His genre-bending sound is characterized by infectious beats, soulful vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics that explore themes of identity, culture, and love.
Pa.II is a talented singer-songwriter and producer known for his captivating live performances and authentic sound.
With a passion for music that transcends borders and cultures, Pa.II is dedicated to sharing his unique perspective with the world.
Starting out at the Remix Project, a renowned musical program where he amassed more knowledge of the craft, he has since established himself as an artist to watch in the music industry with a growing fan base of a few thousand across platforms in Canada and internationally.
Resident of Sudbury for over a decade, Pa.II has shared his music at Northern Lights Festival Boreal, River & Sky Festival and Up Here Festival.
He’s also had the opportunity to open for Nigerian superstars Psquare and Basketmouth at their Canadian shows, further cementing his reputation as a rising star within multiple music industries. With his songwriting skills further honed through CION’s esteemed NOSE songwriting program in collaboration with Juno Award-winning band July Talk, Pa.II is poised for even greater success, with new music on the horizon.