AJII and JORDAN ANTHONY, "Cherry"

While we viewers at home get to see the incredible results of the contestants’ hard work every season on American Idol, the show only gives us a glimpse and highlights of the behind-the=scenes process that leads to the magic onstage. Another thing we’re not always privy to is the camaraderie, friendships and creative connections that can develop behind the scenes between them.

In the close quarters of the Idol universe, those talented and lucky enough to make it to the Top 24 have the opportunity to lay the foundation for future collaborations. Sometimes, as in the case of Season 22 Top 20 contestant Ajii, the magic happens with fellow contestants connecting with others of different seasons. The stylistically eclectic Brooklyn based singer, songwriter and rapper follows “Forget About You,” his sensual, Jersey club vibin’ duet with Season 21 Top Five finalist Wé Ani (which dropped on Valentine’s Day) with “Cherry,” a super sexy, wildly infectious pop banger with fellow Season 22 contestant Jordan Anthony, who placed in the Top 14.

While many Idol hopefuls that are eliminated after reaching the Top 20 become little talked about footnotes compared to all the attention lavished on the Top 10, Ajii stands out as one of only a handful of contestants eliminated before the Top Ten to ink a deal with BMG/Nashville 19 Recordings. Since his run on Idol, Ajii – who captivated everyone from the moment he began singing Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” at his audition – has also dropped “Rich Man,” “GAHDAYUM” and “Sadchella.” His first four singles, including the Wé Ani track, were bundled into his Sadchella EP, released in April.

A co-write by Ajii, producers Gregg Wattenberg (Goo Goo Dolls, John Legend) and Pom-Pom (John Legend, Suki Waterhouse) and others, the whimsical, feel good “Cherry” takes the happily surprised male perspective of pure female-instigated seduction showcasing Ajii and Jordan’s cool, seamless harmonies. From the plucky, jangly guitar driven opening bars, the track flows like a hipster hang with two budding musical greats in perfect vocal and emotional sync. After a sensual and easy grooving, fingersnap filled pre-chorus with images of heaven (“a place inside your room”), her undressing and the clever rhyme of “I’m taking in the view” with “Have your cake and eat it, too,” the tune becomes even more literally and metaphorically delicious. 

Amidst a swirl of soaring atmospheres and electric guitar, Ajii and Jordan emphatically – and with dynamic vocal texturing - share the joy of their unexpected encounter with the woman who’s “the top just like a Cherry” on the explosive hook. They continue: “Feels so good that it’s starting to/Scare me/When you’re near, I just can’t keep my body to myself. . .Every night is legendary.” The dynamics of the song are fascinating, as it strips back down to the snappy second verse before amping up and bursting with passion once again. Later in the bridge, the singers change things up and enjoy rapping and riffing on the title metaphor: “You the cherry on top of my ice cream dish/Genie in a bottle, Ima get my wish” and even get a bit kinky: “Ya birthday suit be a birthday gift/I’ll pop that/If you get my drift…”     

Since his Idol journey, one of the most fascinating aspects of Ajii’s developing artistry is his mix of musical vibes and lyrical themes which run from the pop/soul of “GAHDAYUM” (about the excitement of having a much larger platform for his music after years of being a working musician in NYC) to “Sadchella,” a slow jam anthem that cleverly namechecks 15 pop heartbreak classics. “Cherry” is his most romantic and sexual-minded joint to date – a vibe we’ll hopefully be hearing more of as we contemplate perhaps more compelling collabs with Jordan and other Idol contestants (and hopefully mainstream pop stars!) in the future.   

Cover image: Millie Dweck

Photo: Joe DeSantis

Listen to "Cherry" here: https://ajii.lnk.to/cherry