It’s another Friday and I’m back with my review of Ten of the hottest songs that have dropped
Tiwa Savage — Celia Album
It’s been four years since the queen’s last album and if you ever needed an affirmation for the phrase “time makes everything better” then this album is that. It’s like Tiwa has this renewed energy, this new fire burning. Celia is a gargantuan project in all aspects. It is a perfect blend of several genres — Afro-Pop, R&B, Aftobeats, Afrohouse. It’s such heavy and hard work from Tiwa to pull all of these off in one album while sticking to the primary conscious theme — womanhood, girl-power. The appreciation of the feminine strength and beauty makes it alluring. Tiwa started out her career writing for stars in the US, that culture would never leave her. On Celia she found a way to infuse both cultures. It is also a perfectly “A&Red” project. The choice of songwriters, guest verses, duration, tracklisting is mind blowing. For me it’s a perfect project and one of the best ones that’s dropped this year.
Victony — Saturn EP
In my previous review of Victony’s “Space and Time” single, I said these words “At long intervals, some artistes come on the scene and they bring with them this entirely different sound. Victony is that one artiste. His sound is unique and magical”. I’m sure after listening to that single, you’d agree with the above sentiment.
Now Victony’s EP is here and it is all we expected it to be — beautiful, perfect, sonically pleasing. The newcomer’s statement is heavy and threatening. Coming into the scene with a sound this unique — almost bordering on emo-rap — Victony will be a problem. “Saturn”, like the name suggests, will take you into space with the sonically pleasing lush, velvety voice laced all over it. It’s perfect tracklisting as well, as the tape starts out with the welcoming, laidback, Afro-chants on “More” (kid has his way with the chants). The journey through Saturn takes you to different, intentionally ordered stops , till you finally arrive at “Fasta” and “Jo Riddim”, the peak, the perfect Afrobeats joints. I must say I’m particularly impressed with the production and engineering on the tape. They found a way to bring out the full beauty and potential of Victony’s unique voice.
Patoranking — Three Album
Patoranking has been on a journey to reinvent himself for a while now and he made “Three” the album. While sticking to his Dancehall roots, Patoranking did so well bringing in several genres on this project. You’ve AfroBeats, Reggae, Highlife, dancehall-infused R&B, Disco and even the new craze, South African Amapiano. I love this project, especially the fact that it’s so new school. It’s a sound-of-the-moment project and that is what is selling. The 90s Disco type record that is “Black Girl Magic” is obviously Patoranking’s joker card on this project and it was perfectly delivered, so perfect that you can roll back the years with it. “Three” is a traditional Patoranking project but with twists here and there, and that is the beauty of the project. “Odo Bra” with Ghanaian star. king Promise might just go on to be a smash hit in the Gold Coast.
Nasty C — Zulu Man With Some Power
Genius! Masterpiece! Perfection! 10/10. I might just run out of words to describe this project. This project is such an important project for Nasty C and for Africa, culturally and musically. In an age where it is now cool to be African, Nasty C wants to preach the coolness in nativity, he is a “Zulu Man With Some Power”. The song “Zulu Man” perfectly tells that story, with Nasty rapping entirely in Zulu. This project is one with a blend of everything; melodies, rhythm, thought provoking lines, witty ones as well. Nasty C, that some regard as Africa’s best lyricist, lived up to that billing, with strong, deep punchlines, also storytelling lines. The production on this one gives steady and heavy bass kicks, just to get you kicked on and pumped through the tape. There’s basically feel good, feel alive vibes all over this project, with the usual rap-projects-accompanying braggadocio.
Larry Gaga -Slow Burner ft Joeboy
Joeboy is blessed and extremely talented, it’s no longer news. Like the internet says these days, “will Joeboy ever miss?” I doubt he ever will, he has mastered the formula to this thing. “Slow Burner” is a very sultry song (if you did not figure with the audio, you’d figure with the video). Joeboy really just knows how to deliver what the audience wants and it is funny that we never know we need them until he serves them. Larry Gaga also never misses with his choice of collabs and music to put out.
Olayinka Ehi — Shake
If you’re not familiar with the name Olayinka Ehi then it’s time for you to start listening to greatness. You probably heard her on Adekunle Gold’s Afro Pop or on WhoIsAkin’s Full Moon Weekends. The New York based songstress is very talented and special. Her R&B is culturally influenced, just as it is on this Jesse Alordiah-produced “Shake”. On the surface, it is your typical western R&B joint but there’s that cultural influence. I like this record a lot, it is so groovy and alive but defiant as well. It’s that type of record that defies ground rules, it’s gives this unruly vibe also. Credits to Jesse Alordiah. This could be Olayinka’s big break song.
Laycon — Senseless
Whoever in Laycon’s team thought about dropping a song, while his sojourn in the Big Brother house continues, deserves a pay rise. Genius move. It’s an impressive move and the record is equally impressive. Putting aside Laycon’s “turmoils” in the house, his team is working to create a superstar, and I dare say they’ve successfully done that. Relatively unknown before going into the BBN house, Laycon’s streams have shot up. “Senseless” is a very dope record. It’s a rap joint that would do so well at a party. Man might just come out of the Big Brother house to people singing his record word for word. Fun part? He doesn’t even know about any of this, it’s amazing. Finito deserves a lot of credit for this production. Is that some Amapiano I hear? Flames
Mojo — Hulabalu
If anyone ever told me Mojo would mess with an alien genre, I definitely would not think it would be “Electronic Dance”. Mojo on a “Electronic Dance” record?! You can argue that it is “Hip House” but man, it’s amazing still, what Mojo did on this. This record gives me that Riton and Kah-Lo “Foreign Ororo” vibe and I absolutely love it. I think at this point, everyone should now believe when we say Mojo will never miss. This traditional “Electronic Dance” instrumental gives Mojo all the space and time to bounce right and pick the lines easy and well, something Mojo loves to do. Mojo loves a good song along and on this song, I just want to scream “Bruce Lee na Hulabalu”. I need to know who produced this record.
Jamopyper — If No Be You ft Mayorkun
When Zlatan announced his Zanku Records signings and rolled out the Rahman Jago owned “Of La La”, I said to many that Jamopyper is the most talented one signed to the label. I’m proud and happy that my verdict was right. If what Jamopyper did on “Of La La” or “Shomo” wasn’t convincing enough, this song with Mayorkun would clear all of you doubts. Before this song dropped, it was teased several times (by both Jamopyper and Mayorkun) and we couldn’t wait to get it. It’s a lovely record, it’s a club banger. Give Mayorkun his flowers, he’s been amazing all year with his guest verses
King Perryy — YKTFV ft Psycho YP
This is supposed to be a Psycho genre, King Perryy shouldn’t have no business making a record in this genre. But he’s done it perfectly well! I’m impressed with King Perryy, to be honest. He’s normally known to make, what he calls “Modern Danchehall” but on a Hip-Hop/Trap record? Ballsy and audacious. And I love how he pulled it off. “YKTFV” is an amazing record, the kind of trap record you want the DJ to put on repeat. Psycho YP is his normal beastly self on this one but all of the accolades should really go to King Perryy.
