Kenyan Afropop artiste Iyanii has shared a touching moment with his mother after playing her his latest song, Hallelujah, with her detailed assessment of the track leaving the singer visibly elated.
Iyanii treated his mother to a car ride on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, before playing her the song, keen to hear what she thought of the latest release.
Rather than offering a brief compliment, his mother paid close attention to the production, instrumentation and the elements that give the song its distinctive sound.
Her first reaction was one of immediate approval, as she described the song as smart, prompting Iyanii to seek a more detailed assessment from her.
“Wow, what a smart song,” his mother said.
Encouraged by the response, Iyanii asked her to clarify whether she meant that she had genuinely enjoyed the song and what, specifically, had stood out for her.
“You mean it is smart? Wow, you have liked it. What is your take on it?” Iyanii asked.
His mother then broke down what she liked about the song, pointing to the instrumentation and the way the musical arrangement had been used to establish the character of the track.
“I would say it is good. It is like you had the instrument that makes the jingle sound, and such elements have set the tone for the song and made it pop. And let those who will dance do well as well,” she added.
Her comments appeared to particularly resonate with Iyanii because she was not merely praising the song as his mother but was engaging with the musical choices behind it.
She identified the instrumentation as one of the elements that helped establish the mood of the track while also highlighting its potential to inspire dance.
Iyanii, clearly pleased that his mother had connected with the song, responded by telling her that he would take her suggestion about the dancers seriously.
“Thanks, Mum. I will look for dancers, but I am happy that you have loved the song. Thanks, it means a lot to me,” he added.
The intimate exchange comes days after Iyanii released Hallelujah, a song that represents a significant shift from the secular Afropop sound with which he has largely been associated.
Shift to Gospel
Released on October 2, 2026, Hallelujah sees Iyanii turn towards gospel music, presenting the track as a personal prayer and testimony centred on his faith and his experiences through different seasons of his life and career.
At the heart of the song is a message of gratitude and resilience, with Iyanii reflecting on what he considers God’s faithfulness through both difficult and rewarding periods.
The central refrain carries the hopeful declaration, “God did it, God is doing it, God will do it,” reinforcing the song’s message that past victories, present circumstances and future hopes remain anchored in faith.
Iyanii also turns the song into a personal prayer through the line “Bariki kazi ya mikono yangu”, asking for blessings upon the work of his hands.
Musically, Hallelujah retains elements of the sound that has helped define Iyanii while introducing a distinctly African, culturally rooted character. The feel-good track combines organic African rhythms and strong percussion with his soulful vocals, creating a sound that is both devotional and accessible.
The production brings together several musicians, with Waka Waka credited as the producer and Igamba Mbiu and Jack Kenty receiving co-production credits.
Live instrumentation also plays an important role in the song’s identity. George Kenge features on the orutu, the traditional Luo stringed instrument, as well as percussion, while Kenty contributes guitar work to the production.
The song’s visual treatment similarly embraces Kenyan cultural heritage.
Its official music video, directed by Rashid Bre and shot by KG Brian, features performances by the Kochia Dancers from Homa Bay and the Ng’uono Women Group from Mathare 4A, bringing traditional dance and community performances into the gospel-inspired project.
The release has also been accompanied by social media promotion under the #iyaniichallenge, inviting audiences to engage with the song through their own creative interpretations.
