What seemed like the last work of art by an artist before retiring into the Hall of Fame, became a preceding piece to a body of a masterpiece. A move made by no other than renowned rapper, and singer-songwriter, Olamide, after announcing his previous project, “Unruly” was the last drop of pen to his pieces.
But it seems the Afrobeats artiste isn’t done sitting on the throne, as he suddenly released a new EP titled “Ikigai / 生き甲斐, Vol. 1.”
The YBNL founder is known to opt for distinctive project titles, as he did with previous works like “UY Scuti” and “Carpe Diem.” So, it is not much of a surprise that this newly released project is dubbed “Ikigai”, a Japanese concept that translates to “a reason to live.” Olamide invites listeners to the seven-tracked EP encompassing voices from label mates, Fireboy DML and Asake, and ex label mates, Lil Kesh, Pheelz and Young Jonn.
Olamide starts with “Metaverse”, an upbeat intro into Ikigai, while he maintains his street-hop legacy. Produced by Semzi, the track is laced with street lingo, and a groovy chorus on a fast-tempo beat which finds Olamide highlighting his return from the metaverse (an alternate reality) as a serial hitmaker. Oya mu n le, ìgbe ika, how many hits we don drop, se n ka?
Olamide further reiterates that he isn’t done with giving lamba. This is definitely one for the streets.
Lamba dey, me I gallant. Won ni kan, mo para. Yet again, Olamide re-establishes his prominence in the game with “Uptown Disco”, the second track ingeniously arranged by Semzi and Eskeez. This track sees Fireboy strike with the first verse into the song, portraying flamboyance and a disregard for his opps. The uptempo track carried by log drums is filled with Yoruba and pidgin lingua, highlighting their hitmaking status. Asake ends the track with an energetic and tuneful verse displaying his braggadocious nature.
The Semzi-produced Afro-piano track “Makaveli”( an alias for late American rapper, Tupac) sees Olamide professing to his lover with a continuance display of luxe while name-dropping popular culture figures. “Tell me what you need, baby… You’ve been running through my mind lately, sincerely” he expresses to his muse, as a saxophone dominates the track.
Just like a supervillain has a soft spot for his woman, Olamide too, finds himself craving his lover. He engages in lustful dialogue while he delivers a swaggering cadence of rap. In this track “Knockout”, he employs the voice of Dutch singer, SABRI to deliver soft melodic, and tuneful vocals, further expressing the yearning for sensual intimacy.
But the hedonism doesn’t stop; he goes on to flaunt his ostentatious lifestyle on the fifth track, “Hello Habibi”, which is introduced by an Asian flute tune. The mid-tempo track sees Olamide casually display his affluence to his lover with a groovy rap and chorus.
One of the highlights of this project is the credible interpolation of Paul Play Dairo’s 2002 classic, “Mo Wa Dupe” on the sixth track, “Morowore.” On this song, Olamide reminisces on the journey so far, while offering gratification to God.
To end the body of work, Olamide reconciles with former in-house producers, Pheelz and Young Jonn, and former label signee, Lil Kesh, delivering a bouncy tempo track, “Synchro System.” This offers one of the best collaborations for the year. Named after King Sunny Ade’s 1983 album, the song has the artistes reflect on their growth and see life as a movie. Each of the artistes delivers a top-notch verse, while Olamide brings it to a halt with a frenetic verse displaying his legendary card.
The seven-track project offers listeners a blend of upbeat, mid-tempo tunes, sonically constructed by Semzi, Eskeez, and Pheelz. Filled with themes running from hedonism, braggadocio, and a reflection of life.
It is without a doubt that Olamide isn’t dropping his pen anytime soon. Ikigai re-establishes his prominence as a serial hitmaker, and subtly restates him as the emblem of street-hop.
Rating: 7.9/10