It’s Wednesday evening, and I am enjoying one of the benefits of the lockdown—online schooling. My roommate decides to play a new album from the most unlikely person, Bright Okpocha, more commonly known as Basket Mouth. Like most people, I know him as a comedian. You can imagine my shock when I heard he had released an album, an actual musical album. First, I felt amused, then it turned to intrigue. What was Basketmouth going to sing?
It turns out he didn’t sing that much, after all.
As the first song comes on, it unearths memories of Nollywood movies I watched growing up. You know, the ones that featured the likes of Akin, PawPaw, Mr Ibu and Osoufia.
Pepper soup, the first song on the album, is eerily reminiscent of Pete Edochie and his exaggerated, often comical proverbs. It’s almost like you’re listening to a compilation of those “wise” sayings. One line says, “Dem no dey stand give woman belle, unless you want her make she born”. No one knows what it means, but it sounds like something grandparents tell their grandkids; only this time you are listening to the voices of Duncan mighty and Ice prince sonorously bouncing off this tales-by-moonlight tune.
Pepper Soup is the Nigerian Version of “when life gives you Lemons, make Lemonades”. Like the bio of one of my favorite Twitter accounts says, “This is Nigeria, anything you see, you just have to take it like that.”
I must admit, I am biased towards Oxlade and Show Dem Camp, I don’t think they are capable of producing bad songs. So, when Oxlade’s voice in Myself comes up, it feels like slightly viscous honey dripping from a honeycomb. When Ghost said, “My health is my wealth; I can’t kill myself…” I closed my business school online course and decided to call it a day. You have to remember to take care of yourself.
Ladipoe’s verse in Ride or die makes you want to hear someone promise their life to you. But, Yoruba men lie unprovoked—can’t be catching feelings. Streets are slippery, you know. For the record, Waje’s voice is beautiful. She makes me want to give all future money to a musical theatre when I’m 82. I remembered the story of Bonnie and Clyde, the original ride or die and made a note to future love of my life: “We are staying alive to enjoy our love. No one is dying in Jesus name. Let us all be guided.”
As I continue the journey down this shockingly remarkable piece of art, I hear Flash sing about how World People complain whether you have money or you don’t. People will always talk, so #justdoyou. I, on the other hand, would rather deal with the Gbege of having money. Just saying...
Although I don’t understand a lick of Igbo, I imagine a man trying to woo a young lady with that sexy Igbo that Chike sings so well. His voice blends perfectly with the beat on Life, the fifth track on the album. The bass guitarist does a madness on the song that is impossible to miss. Whoever Nkechi—the subject of the song—is, she’s a lucky girl! With the onions now almost the same price as gold, rising food inflation, and all the other hardships that come with being Nigerian, if you need a reminder that “problems no dey finish”, then One Bo is the perfect song for you. Every time the song comes on, I have an urge to sit with a plate of Nkwobi and palm wine as I relass and listen to Umu Obiligbo sing live at a bar. If only my pockets would just cooperate with me.
December makes me want to put on Asoebi and dance with a man with perfectly groomed beards, clad in those razor-sharp native outfits Ebuka wears while our imaginary rich Igbo uncles spray us dorrars and pand starling.
Papa Benji sounds perfect for welcoming the father of the groom at any wedding. Even though I still don’t understand what Phyno is saying in his verse, you just know he’s eulogizing some stinkingly rich man that just walked in. My husband’s father? You never know…I guess the surge of weddings and engagements is getting to me.
Bez and the Cavemen take the opportunity to remind us that Hustle no be beans and it never ends. But Peruzzi and Ill Bliss balance their train of thought by telling us to strive for peace of mind (Udo) and that you need to take time to enjoy the little joys of life.
For me, the album Yabasi (pronounced Habasi) meaning Onions speaks for itself—It’s Gold. It’s a great album to play while you sit at the beach with friends, cups of palm-wine in hand, recounting old memories. This is not just an album for the moment. It’s a classic that will survive the annals of time. Yabasi will remain thematically relevant for as long as enjoyment and chopping life reign supreme in the affairs of men and women.
