It’s another Friday and this is a review of my personal Top 10 of the songs that dropped.
Yusufkanbai — Hear Me Out EP
If you know me, you should know how much I go on about Yusufkanbai’s music. There are times when I run out of adjectives, but from now I think I’ll go with “gargantuan”. Yusufkanbai is gargantuan. The man’s talent is intimidating, his voice, arresting, his style, blinding. “Hear Me Out” has got two singles on it and for new listeners, this is more than enough to convince you, and that is how you tell an artiste with great and enormous talent. “Know Me” — produced by Higo — is a blend of everything. Albeit very short, it is very wholesome. Vocal flex, too witty punchlines (for a singer), melodious flow too. On “Tsunami” — produced by Godomarr — YKB definitely has his audience captivated with a chorus that can easily roll off your tongue. The switch in keys on this song is so laudable, almost unachievable for a regular singer, not YKB. Yusufkanbai has a big future ahead of him, and with the proper nurturing, he will assume the title of “Baddest Vocalist In The Metropolis”
Tems — For Broken Ears
This is everything. The uniqueness of this tape is so pleasing to those that care to see it for what it is. Tems is one artiste that I never doubt, because she’s so different from the norm and she’s right in her space. Her debut project “For Broken Ears” is exactly as the name suggests, it is for broken ears. If you say a tape has healing powers, then this is the tape. The journey on this tape, through love and life itself, is for broken ears. With her uniquely soothing voice, melodies and bounce, Tems delivers a masterpiece on traditional R&B productions. All the elements on this tape make the genuineness of her voice more appealing and captivating. It is a wholesome tape. The perfect opener in “Interference”, to the closing “The Keys”. “Ice T” is a powerful song, with emboldening lyrics.
Reekado Banks — Need More ft Kida Kudz, EO
This is how you come back into the scene! I don’t think I can ever stress how much I love Reekado’s music and artistry. It is a very ‘jiggy’ record. What Reekado Banks has done with this song, is take a typical Kida Kudz sound, made it his safe space, and then still put in guest verses from Kida Kudz himself and UK’s EO. The bubbly vibes oozing all over this song is heavy and laidback at the same time. One of Reekado’s strong points is his ability to suit into any type of sound whilst still making it “Afro”. With the promise of an album, Reekado is about to go back to the top echelons of the game.
Runtown — Kini Issue
Runtown is a model example of how to seamlessly jump sound and move between culture, without losing your audience. His switch from his starting-out sound to this new one — that is bordering on Alte — should be studied. He not only moved between sounds, he also did it with his style and branding. He’s now a fashion killa, and he’s killing it on both fronts. “Kini Issue” is a sweet, melodious record. It is effortless and impeccable delivery. Its a fine AfroBeats record, the hook is one you can sing along to. What he does on the bridge injects so much excitement into my veins. The buzzing sound of the trumpet, at well picked out stops on the song is exhilarating too. Runtown really did hack this sound!
Wani — All My Ladies
Bravo, Wani. Not like anyone was expecting anything less from him, but this particular effort needs extra commendation. Wani’s “Tropic sound” is an instant fan favorite. Listening to this record, you’d feel a lot of emotions at the same time. It’s groovy, bouncy and “tropical” all at the same time. His pen game is so mind blowing. The way he manages to put together words like these that go perfectly with the mood and still gets on the bounce right, it’s amazing. Adey’s production on this song definitely gives this record its life, it’s perfect arrangement of different elements. One hack? Put this on repeat, it’s a perfect loop.
Oladapo — Proud, Mango
Nobody bodies their melodies like Oladapo, nobody. The way he makes his music, it’s like he makes love to the music. He’s always so immersed in it and you can tell he makes music like he truly enjoys it. Oladapo has put out two new singles and from all indications, it’s with a new label, under exclusive license to Universal, major. “Proud” is such flex. It is such a vibe! It’s the perfect blend of bounce, melody, chants and vocal flex. The intro is so sending me. It is so sweet that you’d forgive the length (time) of it. “Mango” is another vibe. It’s Pop immersed in the “Alternative” sound. His subtle use of Yoruba sayings, gives this record its life. Oladapo’s talent is so evident on this two track drop.
$tretto — Yanga ft Loti
This is the first time I’m on to a $tretto record and I love what I’m hearing. This sound is so new school, so not mainstream but very commercial. It’s this new wave sound. I like this record, it is what I’d like to call “mature sound”. The vibe and tempo introduced at the start of it was maintained all through it. The hook on this one is really nice and sing-along ish. $tretto and Loti really should make more music, because the chemistry oozing all over this record should be explored. The production really brought out the intended vibe.
L.A.X — Go Low
“Zaza” is putting out his album “Zaza Vibes” soon and he’s already shown us what he wants to do on this project — he just wants to vibe. We’ve had three songs drop off this one already and it’s been entirely different vibes, but they’re such vibes. “Go Low” is an Amapiano record that is not so Amapiano and I love that. Messing with the South African born Amapiano sound, L.A.X switches it up by dumbing it down a bit, making the sound a bit more relaxed, while churning out melodious vibes on it. It’s that type of song that will set a party ablaze but not blow out the roof, it’s structured like that. You’ll get dancing but it’s that laidback type of dance moves on this one. I like it a lot and I can’t wait to get the entire album from LAX.
Lil Kesh — All The Way
I’ve one problem with this record and this is it. It is Lil Kesh’s first single in like forever and it’s not getting me ecstatic. I mean it should be sending me into fits, but it’s not. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good record, it really is. But it is not “comeback worthy”. If you take out the fact that he’s not dropped in forever, then this record does well. It’s the return of that Kesh-Young Jonn combo. This record sends me back to 2016–2017 when they gave us joints like “Kojo”, “No Fake Love”. It’s the typical Lil Kesh. The hook and the outro to this song is it for me.
Meji — The One EP
Bro, what?! Meji went on this tape like he was assigned just one mission — Try To Save The Game. Because man, he was rapping stoopeed on this one, Meji really was rapping on this one. The mission on this tape was clear from the first bar; “Tell the world that Meji coming”. Meji set out to put himself on the map proper and the best statement is sending your hardest statement. As a rapper, Meji has always had his way with words, he weaves punchlines out of the most ordinary word and that is littered everywhere on this tape. The braggadocio and flaunting of prowess on this tape is frightening. Meji raps “I turned my favorite rapper into a fan”, if that isn’t statement enough, I don’t know what is. The feel good vibe on this tape gives it the commercial feel, which must not be lost. Meji really outdid himself, Meji really is The One.
