by mariah estran
photo by niles gregory
After watching the LA skyline darken to an orange, fire-induced hue during a week of wildfires, singer and producer Nyiko found riveting similarities between the glows of success and the destruction of natural disasters. Teaming up with producer U-Tern, his latest single, “LA On Fire,” carries those thoughts through a vivid, dream-pop sound. A style Nyiko has continued to expand since the release of his LP, Honesty.
“I had the idea on the way over to Vaughn’s (U-Tern). I was driving on the highway and had the vision of flames overtaking the East LA hillsides,” the singer says. The track opens with dazzling keys. As he sings of Los Angeles burning, complete with smokey surroundings while a nostalgia-washed beat grants a dance-worthy charm alongside the battle of fighting for the Hollywood dream.
“The fire can be interpreted as the pressures of trying to “make it” — the all-too-common dream of becoming a celebrity that people have when they move to LA. A spark, or opportunity, can ignite the path for success, but on the flip-side, people can become consumed by that dream to the point where they’re creatively and professionally burnt out,” he explains.
Nyiko is no stranger to integrating a larger message within his work. He’s tackled the topic of toxic masculinity in his single “Call The Boys.” Now, “LA On Fire” sparks another conversation. Within four minutes, the listener can find themselves thinking of the wildfires that have engulfed the West Coast while analyzing the effects of the entertainment industry.
Yet, the vivid layers of synth, drums, and moving vocals wrap the song in an illuminating warmth, almost like a residual ember holding a light towards change.