It’s a New Friday and here is my review of my Top Ten Pick of the songs that dropped
Wizkid — No Stress
I am bewildered as to why some section of listeners don’t like this song. It is a great appetizer for the album we have all anticipated so much. Just like the title suggests, it is a very laidback vibe, with “seething” instrumentals from P2J. The hook on this one is a “SFTOS-Wizkid type hook”. As a consumer, I’m always impressed by how Wizkid never lets the “crowd opinion” influence his artistic flow. He experiments when he wants to, he puts out what he wants to. I’m very convinced that when (IF) we finally get the “Made In Lagos” album, everyone would understand this Wiz experiment.
Simi — No Longer Beneficial
My queen is back and I’m psyched. She’s back and she’s back with a bang. Simi is back on the scene with the first song off her upcoming “Restless II” EP. “No Longer Beneficial” is a song that resonates with quite a number of us. Tells a story of how feelings creep in on a “friends with benefits” relationship. It’s typical Simi. The vocal texture is as soothing and silky as ever. The bounce, ever present. The production and engineering on this song is highly impressive. The strings at the end of the song, the keys all through it, all beautiful. The mixing of her voice is perfect. One thing that goes almost unnoticed on Simi songs is the “lamba” she cheekily drops on us. She sings “friends with benefits no longer beneficial”
Tems — Damages
I might just raise a petition to have a “Tems-Spax” combination normalized. It’s such fire combination. Tems’s style is uniquely pleasing, her almost gangster aura is ever present on “Damages”. You could swear it’s a Koffee song playing. With her “For Broken Ears” EP dropping next week, we sure would get more magic from Tems.
T-Classic — Alirat EP
I’m a very big fan of T-Classic. In some quarters, they would even tell you he’s underrated, in other quarters, they would tell you he’s overlooked. For what reason, no one can tell, but he’s such a fine talent, raw but fine. This EP is a sweet collection of songs with varying vibes. As an artiste, T-Classic has this way of delivering songs that they come out so nice, that on the first listen you fall in love with them. He’s what I’d like to call a “sing-along merchant” and that’s exactly how you hack the game. “Love You For Life” off this tape is a perfect radio joint. I’m, however, here wondering why this EP is dedicated to the memory of a late relative and not one sombre song.
Alpha P — Quarantine
Alpha P is heavily talented. Emphasis on HEAVILY. And this is why I’m always disappointed with how he’s been handled by his team and management. He tweeted that “Quarantine” is his first Apple Music Top 100 entry (still need to verify this) and that is so shocking and alarming if it is true. Every time I listen to Alpha, I hear Don Toliver. They are both really unique artistes that need heavy nurturing. His American counterpart is getting that from Travis Scott, can’t say the same for Alpha. Quarantine is such a sweet tune and the replay value is exceptionally heavy. I really hope this song goes on to Top 20 in the country.
Brainee — Oh Bae Bae
Brainee is settling well into this sound, a sound he perfected on “Monday” off his “Chapter One” EP. That sound thereon birthed songs like “Amala”, “Girls”, and now “Oh Bae Bae”. For avid Brainee listeners, it’s the return of “comic Brainee”. I like this song, it has that comic relief to it, and still delivered some rap prowess. Going forward, I’d like to see Brainee go a bit off on the “Wata” sound. That has got to be one of my favorite Brainee sounds.
Zen — Bad Decisions EP
Zen, Lectrik, whatever you know him as, has got to be one talent that I look out for so bad. He’s got it, definitely. His grind is heavy and that landed him a Blaqbonez verse via Twitter. In his words, “this EP is dedicated to every bad decision that I’ve ever made” and you can tell from listening to this. The thought process that went into making this process is laudable. It’s that type of tape that you play late night, cruising through College Road, Ogba. Solid tape this is
Darey — Jojo ft Patoranking
“Jojo” is off Darey’s upcoming 7-track “Way Home” album. And from initial indications, this is going to be a mix of ‘Ba Ni Kidi-Darey’ and ‘Pray For Me-Darey’. The new found chemistry with Pheelz is such welcomed development, they seem to understand each other. “Jojo” is that kind of track that brings out the classic Patoranking. I’m still a bit unsure of this track but I think it has all the potentials to grow on us.
Cracker Mallo — A Friendly Introduction To Saund EP
I’m very proud of Cracker Mallo. He came from not a lot in the scene, and now he’s achieved a lot. That’s impressive. This EP is a new peak for him. Cracker came on to the scene with so much versatility, a pack of different sounds, a variety. He quickly became well sought after. On this EP, with a name that is well and self explanatory, Cracker flexes well. For those that never knew, he’s a a very good vocalist too and on “Do Better” he introduced that side to those that did not know. Solid producer tape, I must say.
Zarion Uti — Rain Or Shine ft Buju
Zarion Uti’s newest single is impressive. It’s a groovy, bouncy sound with Buju putting the cherry on top. The hook is very catchy and it’s got a good sing along on it.
