Late in 2020, Ojayy Wright put out “Fuji Pop,” a clear signal of his growth as an artist and, importantly, as a songwriter, using the sonic tells of Fuji music to create an extemporaneous anthem that was still rooted in the refined vibe of today’s afropop.
In that vein, Ojayy’s just-released project, Commander-In-Chief, is a natural continuation of his path from “Fuji Pop” and sees Ojayy self-mythologise over pulsating beats retro-fitted to his fizzing voice. Within the 7-track project, “Fuji Pop” sounds immaculate as Teni’s tributes to old masters like King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Alabi Pasuma compliment Ojayy’s bubbly verse. A more textured showing on “Money Calling,” sees him own up to his hedonism and all that it brings over a plucked mid-tempo instrumental. A collaboration with another griot Bad Boy Timz on “Duro” produces the kind of vibey music that populated Ojayy’s debut project, 37 Degrees In Lagos while the titular track has hints of introspection to find meaning of his place in the world and what it means for his loved ones.
The lower half of Commander-In-Chief is packed with low-burning would-be love anthems like “Erika,” a flamenco-tinged ballad that showed another portal to Ojayy’s artistry while closer, “Ave Marie,” produced by Spellz is warm footnote on a project that has a bit of all we need.
