In 2022, the music world was captivated by “Ode Ireti,” a track by &friends that became a global sensation, especially after the release of the Nitefreak Remix. The song’s catchy chorus “O-le-le” quickly became a favorite in dance music circles worldwide.
To mark the one-year anniversary of “Ode Ireti,” Sean Thomas, the project leader of &friends, collaborated with Beatport and Label Radar for a Remix Contest. This contest invited fans globally to download the original STEMS of the song and submit their remixes. From 278 entries, Sean selected 13 exceptional remixes for a full-length album titled ‘Ode Ireti Pt. II’ The Album. This album, featuring these handpicked remixes, is set for release on December 8th, 2023, through the Hidden Hands imprint.
‘Ode Ireti Pt. II’ epitomizes the core mission of &friends – amplifying global voices. The album features diverse producers from New York, Nigeria, Brasil, Benin, South Africa, Morocco, France, Russia, Ecuador, and Italy, highlighting &friends’ commitment to promoting emerging talents.
The album opens with a sequel to the original song, “Ode Ireti Pt. II,” a collaboration between &friends, VXSION, Oluwadamvic, and El-Jay. VXSION, a rising Brazilian producer with notable collaborations and support from major artists, joins forces with &friends for this track.
The remix album includes contributions from 13 different artists, including Kay-9nine, The Wild Child, Sam Zloty, and others. Notably, for some artists like Sam Zloty, Zani, and Kustom, this album marks their official debut on streaming platforms.
Additionally, the top two winners of the contest, Kay-9nine and The Wild Child, will have the opportunity to open for an &friends show in 2024. The top five winners will receive cash prizes, and select winners will benefit from collaborative social media promotions with the &friends Instagram, further showcasing the project’s dedication to supporting and empowering new talent in the music industry.
