Simi – To Be Honest Album
I’ve been going on and on about how i absolutely love this album. I absolutely love it. I think when artistes make album, they really shouldn’t be bothered about numbers or packing “hits” in a compilation. An album is like writing a term paper or a final year project, thee has to be a theme, you’ve to speak to the theme. This album is all of that. It is thematically correct, and at the same time sonically pleasing. It’s literally proof that you can speak to a theme and still make bangers. The production and engineering on the project is extremely mind blowing, because the beauty of the beats is in their simplicity. Take “Naked Wire” for example. It is simply just the strings, melodies from the keys and the drums, very simple but so good. The songwriting on this project is arguably one of the best this year, sounds so raw and true. Totally in love with this album.
Moelogo – Soft Life
Love, love, love this sound. I always want a conscious a record that i can move to as well. One thing that makes Moelogo’s music easily acceptable here (despite the fact that he’s from the UK) is how relatable his music is, and yes, the fact that he has a good mastery of a native language. This song’s selling point is its huge relatability, i mean who doesn’t want a soft life?
As surprising as the choice of feature may be, it is sort of the perfect vibe for the song, it is a laudable verse from Chinko Ekun. “give me a shorty… in a graduation gown, give her till she pass out” is such a ridiculously good line.
Darkoo – There She Go (Jack Sparrow)
I don’t think people understand what Darkoo does, she’s an amazing artiste. She’s casually scored major hits here and should get more respect for that. “There She Go (Jack Sparrow)” is an amazing record, absolutely love the hook of this song, easily rolls off the tongue. I love a good sample flip, and this was as exceptional as they come.
1da Banton – Summer Love
I am absolutely here for the rise of “crowd choruses”. When you get it right, it gives this color to your record. It was very colorful on this record. The “konto” vibes on this song is major and I absolutely love it. The bass guitar is “tearing my head”, I am in love with it. This song is a production masterclass.
Straffitti – Rich Girl
He really is high up on my list of talented rappers out of Lagos. Effortlessly does all of it, melodic rap, trap, drill, he can sing well too. He was weaving melodies effortlessly, switching flows seamlessly. Absolutely love this one.
Bella Shmurda – Fvck Off
So I am adding this to the list, because I didn’t make a top five last week (because I didn’t make one). But I am bringing it back this week probably because I feel like the purpose of this release is going over our head.
Bella Shmurda has been flirting with this “Yxng Alhaji” branding and it’s only just clear to me that “Yxng Alhaji” is a preacher, making conscious music in the most enjoyable vibe. “Fvck Off” is just that. Who makes a record about telling off their “haters” and it’s this bouncy? Yea, that’s Bella Shmurda. Absolutely love it. I am ready for the Yxng Alhaji era.
