Signature (Iyanya EP)

Signature
EP by Iyanya
Released	30 March 2017 (2017-03-30)
Genre	Afropop R&B Afrobashment
Length	25:59
Label	Mavin
Producer	Don Jazzy (also exec.) Babyfresh Altims
Iyanya chronology
Applaudise (2015) Signature (2017) For Your Love (2020)
Singles from Signature
"Up To Something" Released: 31 October 2016 "Hold On" Released: 7 March 2017

Signature is the first EP by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released on 30 March 2017 by Mavin Records and features guest appearances from Mavin artists Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, and Poe. The EP's production was handled by in-house producers Don Jazzy, Babyfresh, and Altims.

Background

On 11 July 2016, Iyanya made a post on Instagram announcing that he would release a new album under a new label, which led fans to believe that he was leaving Made Men Music Group. He later confirmed his departure from the label, which he had co-founded with Ubi Franklin, and said he planned to launch his own imprint. Reports at the time mentioned disagreements over the running of the label, including financial matters, but Franklin stated that Iyanya had his support and that the move was not a fallout. After leaving MMMG, Iyanya signed with Mavin Records, where he released Signature as his first project under the label.

Singles

The EP's lead single "Up to Something" features Don Jazzy and Dr Sid. The release of the Don Jazzy-produced single coincided with Iyanya's signing to Mavin Records on 31 October 2016. The second single "Hold On" was released on 7 March 2017. The track was also produced by Don Jazzy.

Composition

Signature is an eight-track EP that blends Afropop, R&B, and afrobashment styles. The opening track, "Odoyewu", combines romantic themes with upbeat melodies and religious undertones. "Baby Answer" and "Celebrate" continue the dance-focused sound present in Iyanya's earlier work. "Not Forgotten", featuring Poe, is a reflective track dedicated to Iyanya's late mother and departed friends. "Nobody Has to Know" and "Hold On" incorporate R&B and sensual themes, with production by Altims and Don Jazzy respectively. Don Jazzy produced four of the eight songs on the EP.

Critical reception

Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria described Signature as a familiar yet polished project, noting that Iyanya stuck to his pop-R&B roots while showing flashes of emotional vulnerability. Although the EP had moments of depth, Akan felt it didn't deliver the transformative impact listeners might have hoped for. Akan concluded: "It's Iyanya, giving us a new run of the familiar 'It's Iyaaaaanya' signature tag, and reminding us that he has more than enough juice in the tank to still keep his head above the doom merchants and pessimists." Jim Donnett of tooXclusive described the EP as a promising reintroduction to Iyanya's artistry, praising the project's production, cultural infusion, and Iyanya's vocal delivery, especially on emotional and sensual tracks. While he felt the EP didn't mark a significant artistic advancement, it showed Iyanya rediscovering his passion and enjoying the process of making music again. The review concluded: "It only reminds us all the other good ways Iyanya can be – as an artiste – that he hasn't been in quite a long while now." Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa described Signature as a disappointing project that fell short of expectations, criticising Iyanya for playing it safe and delivering songs that felt like leftovers from his previous album. While a few tracks like "Up To Something" and "Celebrate" stood out, much of the EP lacked depth, with attempts at emotional or sensual material coming off as awkward or misguided. Aigbokhaevbolo concluded: "Iyanya's Signature isn't one of them. It is a passable project, but where more was expected, Iyanya has delivered less."

Track listing

Signature track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Odoyewu"	Iyanya Mbuk	Don Jazzy	4:02
2.	"Hold On"	Mbuk	Don Jazzy	3:09
3.	"Baby Answer"	Mbuk Biam Cupa	Babyfresh	3:22
4.	"Not Forgotten" (featuring Poe)	Mbuk Ladipo Eso	Altims	3:43
5.	"Celebrate"	Mbuk	Babyfresh	2:38
6.	"Nobody Has to Know"	Mbuk	Altims	2:47
7.	"Bow for You"	Mbuk	Don Jazzy	2:48

Bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
8.	"Up to Something" (featuring Don Jazzy and Dr Sid)	Mbuk Michael Ajereh Sidney Esiri	Don Jazzy	3:27
Total length:				25:59

Personnel

• Don Jazzy – production (tracks 1, 2, 7, 8)
• Babyfresh – production (tracks 3, 5)
• Altims – production (tracks 4, 6), mixing/mastering (tracks 1, 4, 6)
• DJ Coublon – mixing/mastering (track 3)
• Seanstan – mixing/mastering (track 7)
• Bigfoot – mixing/mastering (track 5)

Release history

Release history and formats for Signature

Region	Date	Format	Label
Various	30 March 2017	Digital download	Mavin