New Video: Yinyang - Happy Money
Some places just don't grip you as being the most obvious breeding ground for Hip Hop; The film is called Straight Outta Compton, not Straight Outta Coventry. It'd be difficult to imagine Eminem coming from the Falkirk area or Megan Thee Stallion busting out of the mean streets of Chepstow. So why then does Northern Ireland feel right?
Perhaps it's that complex and troubled history of the place; the division caused by religion and disputed occupation and the violence that erupted for decades. These factors will always inspire rebel music and a defiance from some, but tradionally it doesn't come attached to some 'fly' beats. Maybe I'm missing something, but 'spittin' sick bars' doesn't seem like it happens too often within walking distance of The Giant's Causeway.
The thing is, times change - even if the location has to also. Lauren Hannan - aka Yinyang - makes a fascinating hybrid of Hip Hop and Electronica with a Punk ethos that infuses everything she creates. Taking inspiration from strong female artists such as Little Simz, Sampa The Great and M.I.A, Hannan left her native Northern Ireland for the bright lights of London. Her new single 'Happy Money' is her sixth release since 2020, and Yinyang has certainly ruffled some feathers with her sharp as a tack lyrics battling it out with an impeccable delivery and timing.
The rapid growth of Yinyang's reputation has seen others quick to jump on board. The likes of Tom Cane (Gorgon City/George Fitzgerald), Iain Berryman (Wolf Alice/Beabadoobee) and Freddy Sheed (Lewis Capaldi/The Japanese House) have all added their expertise to the proceedings with extra production duties - an impressive list of names for an artist very much in the infancy of their career. BBC Introducing have also been big fans, and almost from the get go: ATL Introducing labelled her as 'An Artist to Watch in 2021' and made her debut release 'Black Mamba' their 'Best Song In The World' in August 2020 - only a few short weeks after it's release.
The lyrics to 'Happy Money' tell of Hannan's own battle with depression and the frustration she feels relying on over-the-counter medication to help. It's an attack on the industry that profits from the mental health issues that many of us face and perpuates the cycle by creating addiction. There's also a sardonic swipe at the self-help sloganeering that is often used to attack as much as it is to motivate. Yinyang flips this sloganeering on it's head, producing a slogan of her own which permeates the track - Keep me happy! Take my money!
What is striking about this track is the strength of Hannan's vocals. They've been glimpes of the range that she posseses in previous songs, but it's often been her extraordinary rapping or her eccentric production that takes centre stage. 'Happy Money' allows her to cut loose and produce a vocal performance she has yet to improve on. It also leaves her rapping in more of a cameo role than it's previously been used - a balance that allows for more impact on this song.
Yinyang has self produced her own video for the single, (see above) with her singing in a dark silhouette, but colourful clothing and the lyrics popping around her. There are also subliminal messages within that add to the subtext - questions such as Why aren't essential Prescriptions free in England? and Health Tax? infiltrate the song's actual lyrics, leaving no room for doubt on the view she takes.
In the rest of 2022, Yinyang is looking to release two further tracks and to supplement their releases by playing further live shows; her first two shows at The Windmill in Brixton sold out earlier in the year. She'll also be starting a clubnight in Belfast to champion the talent back home.
and find out more at www.helloitsyinyang.com
The rapid growth in her profile in recent months has meant her working with other producers, added extra layers to her home grown beats. The likes of Tom Cane (Gorgon City, George Fitzgerald), Iain Berryman (Wolf Alice/Beabadoobe) and Freddy Sheed (Lewis Capladi/The Japanese House) have all been suitable impressed to lend their assistance. So have BBC Introducing
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