I have not put up one of these in weeks, because, simply put, I’ve not been impressed with the quality of music the past couple of weeks. But this past friday? Absolutely phenomenal release day. Arguably the best New Music Friday this year (maybe this one would edge that week Asa and Tim Lyre dropped).
This particular release Friday was so good, that I can easily make a Top 7, maybe Top 8.
Spinall, Asake – Palazzo
Prior to its release, I played this song an unhealthy amount of times. Since it’s dropped, I’ve done the same. It is such a stupendous record. The magic on this record has got people speculating about the writer. Not in a while have I heard such disturbingly good flow. Asake is a gift that we did not know we needed. His fuji-influenced brand of Afrobeats is a breath of fresh hair. It’s almost like he’s weaved fuji into rap and Afrobeats, somehow. I can’t explain it.
On this song, every bar had “lamba” choking me seriously. The production? Get Majorsticks 11 virgins please. That violin accompanying the log drums? Divine! Spinall went in hard with his adlibs too. It’s just the perfect song
Zinoleesky – Loving You
I want Zinoleesky to know that he’s Top 5 talents this scene has seen in the last three years. Boy is too good, my days.
I always love a good sample, the way this Asa sample from her 2011 hit “Be My Man” was used is driving me nuts, it’s insanely good. Niphkeys is insane for this one.
The songwriting is amazing, absolutely in love with it. This is a beautiful record all over. It’s got very insane replay value. I’ve been seeing talks about this being “another amapiano record from zino”. If you truly believe this is an amapiano record, I’ve five plots of land to sell to you on the Atlantic.
Burna Boy – Last Last
I wish I can explain to you how or why, but this record reminds me so much of “old Burna” (you know what I mean by old Burna). Maybe it’s him getting back with Chopstix, who did a madness with flipping that Toni Braxton sample. I mean it’s got “new sound” influences, like the crowd chorus (that is gradually becoming a formula again), but still reminds me of old Burna. And old Burna is my favorite Burna.
Burna Boy is one artiste that knows how to make a bop out of a heartbreak story. He had quite the things to get off his mind and all that makes this record very relatable. So many quotables, everyone has been screaming “I need i*** and shayo” since Friday.
Gabzy – At The End of The Night EP
No way he’s not in everybody’s Top 5. I am totally in love with this tape. It’s beautiful music. It’s the way he goes from heartbroken, to being a playboy to praying for his opps. What a guy. “Rice and Peas” is an insanely good record, and it has major potentials to go mainstream. On that record, I am of the opinion that Gabzy found a new side to himself, a side he should embrace. Even if you’re not an avid follower, you just want to scream “Gabzy shey o ma je rice and peas, wow, ebi pa shege lara mi, but I gotta burn calories”. This is a monster record.
Davido – Stand Strong ft The Samples
This is a fine record, but the music critic in me has a couple of questions. It is actually refreshing to see Davido make music like this, hearing him reflect about his journey over the years, everything that’s happened with him. Adding The Samples on this song is a fine touch, I am rocking with that. I’ve seen talks about this being a sham attempt at getting a Grammy, and for me that’s just nonsense talk. But you wouldn’t entire blame the people thinking this, because this song shouldn’t be the lead single (or first single) off the “We Rise By Lifting Others” album. I’m sure everyone would have appreciated this more as an outro on the album. But I am sure that whatever Davido is trying out with this new album, he’s got it all good.
