Over the past few years, Barry Jhay has solidified his position as a reliable hitmaker, consistently delivering songs that resonate across the country. Since his impactful debut, Aiye, which successfully claimed space on playlists, he has strategically expanded his catalog, dropping multiple successful singles and essential projects like the acclaimed EP Barry Back and the solid foundational album Barrystar Vol. 1.
Now, reinforcing his unwavering commitment to quality and productivity, Barry Jhay shows absolutely no sign of slowing down with the release of the highly anticipated deluxe version of Barrystar Vol. 1, extending the narrative and sonic brilliance of the original work for his dedicated fanbase.
The deluxe version of Barrystar Vol. 1 opens with BLOOD OF THE LAMB, a soft intro track that immediately sets a prayerful atmosphere. From the VSTIX production to Barry Jhay’s vocals, the delivery feels like a private moment; he speaks to God through his emotions, holding firm to his faith and hoping for a better life. It’s less of a song and more of a conversation between Barry Jhay and his Maker.
Moving into the second track, ACTIVE, the mood shifts to a subtle brag. Barry Jhay lets listeners know he is fully active in the game and, importantly, that his people are never offline. This confidence spills right into CAN’T KILL MYSELF, where he expresses a simple desire for the enjoyment of life. With his “Igbo and shayo” on standby, he makes it clear he’s not ready to die; he is here to flex to the fullest.
LAMBO keeps that energy alive, capturing the lifestyle of Lagos City. It follows the theme of making money and grinding all day, perfectly setting the stage for UPDATE. This warm-up track keeps you on your feet, prepping you for what’s next on STREET LOVE. Here, Barry Jhay lets us know that the whole street loves his sound, confirming his connection to the grassroots.
On GABAZINLE, we hear Barry Jhay flexing his romantic power. He details how he pleases his girl steadily, admitting that the way she has gotten him to fall in love is almost unbelievable. ALL MY LOVE continues this expressive tune, where he is unapologetic about his feelings. Singing “All my love, I will give you all my love,” he creates a special feel, aided by a sample of his father’s voice in the intro and AJ’s production.
IDIREPETE takes a similar pattern to ALL MY LOVE, also sampling a song by his father, Barrister, with the same theme. However, Barry Jhay turns it into a modern bop with his unique flow. Special guest I.K. Dairo brings a distinct flavor to the song with his verse, as Barry Jhay sings about his favorite features in a woman.
LONELY serves as the closing chapter of the deluxe additions. On a drill-infused beat by OFFICIALCURTISJ, Barry Jhay reflects and gives thanks. He thanks God for lifting him from his pain, wrapping up the new tracks with a spirit of gratitude.
As we transition into the original album tracks, the project finds its spiritual center again with The Lord’s Prayer. This is Barry Jhay’s composed version, touching on the struggles of breakups and acknowledging the sacrificial death of Christ. He keeps his head up, refusing to give up, and thanks God for protection. It’s an appreciation of the Most High that fuels his determination to keep moving.
Eskelebebe is the track where Barry Jhay lets listeners know he will never do more than himself; it’s just about the hustle and enjoying life to the fullest. Do Not Disturb follows this mindset; he doesn’t want any bad energy intruding on his space because he is steadily grinding and making money.
On Never Stop, featuring Blvk H3ro, both artists keep their fire burning. They emphasize that they’ll keep doing what makes them happy, focusing strictly on “God energy.” Rest comes in with a concept of telling the opposition to chill, ‘you’re not all that’, while Barry flows on the theme of stacking up money as usual.
Same Old Shit brings a real-life realization. Barry Jhay knows that not everyone cares, but he stands firm because God has him. He tells his haters he has lots of hits in him and is steadily dishing them out. Kilonso, however, asks the rhetorical question, “What are they really saying?” effectively brushing off gossip and telling bad energy to stay away (“fimile”).
Lost switches the vibe to a love song. We hear Barry Jhay tapping into his feelings, making melodies about a girl he can’t get enough of; without her, he would be lost. See Me See God (SMSG) brings the confidence back, where he feels secure in his God image while maintaining his hustler theme.
On What A Life, we hear Barry Jhay on a drill banger, rapping and singing about this life and his energetic lifestyle. Finally, Eleduwa closes the entire project. It is a reflective track where Barry Jhay acknowledges the Most High, seeking His face and speaking to Him, reaffirming that God is a very noticeable and vital partner in his life.
Barrystar Vol. 1 (Deluxe) masterfully balances the spiritual with the street, creating a listening experience that feels like a sonic biography. Tracks like BLOOD OF THE LAMB and the composed The Lord’s Prayer showcase Barry Jhay’s vulnerability, turning the studio into a sanctuary where he speaks directly to his Maker. Yet, he effortlessly pivots to the daily grind on anthems like ACTIVE, LAMBO, and CAN’T KILL MYSELF. His delivery across these tracks is impeccable, shifting from prayerful introspection to the confident swagger of a Lagos hustler who is never “offline,” effectively capturing the duality of his lifestyle.
A defining element of the project is how Barry honors his lineage. The way he taps into his father’s legacy, sampling the late Fuji icon Sikiru Ayinde Barrister on ALL MY LOVE and IDIREPETE, is handled with immense respect, successfully bridging two generations of greatness. This connection to heritage is further enriched by the legendary I.K. Dairo’s guest appearance, creating a nostalgic yet modern feel. Furthermore, tracks like GABAZINLE display his “romantic power,” proving he can deliver genuine love songs and melodies just as effectively as he delivers street wisdom.
Musically, Barry Jhay proves he is limitless, flowing effortlessly over diverse soundscapes that range from traditional percussion to modern grit. A significant highlight is his ability to tackle contemporary sounds, specifically sliding onto the drill-infused beats of LONELY and the high-energy What A Life with surprising ease and aggression. The production list is curated to perfection, with VSTIX and OFFICIALCURTISJ providing a rich backdrop, while features from Blvk H3ro add specific textures that elevate the album without overshadowing Barry’s unique voice.
Ultimately, this album is a statement of intent that cements Barry Jhay’s status as both a voice of the streets and a custodian of culture. He has curated a perfect list of collaborators and sounds to tell his story, resulting in a cohesive body of work that honors the past while aggressively claiming the future. It is a seamless blend of prayer, party, and heritage that hits every mark it aims for.
Top Tracks: STREET LOVE, Lost, ALL MY LOVE, Never Stop
Rating:★★★★✩
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