Victony — Space and Time
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. “Space and Time” has this out-of-space, way-up-in-mars (or Saturn, like he’s titled his upcoming tape) feel to his sound. With lush, sweet, mellow and velvety voice, he delivers as both a rapper and a singer effortlessly. This record is that type that makes you fall in love with the artiste at first listen. It’s that type of song that draws you in and traps you. You get stuck on a sound like this.
Tiwa Savage — Koroba
“Album Tiwa Savage” is an entirely different beast. Tiwa is preparing us for the magic that “Celia”, her upcoming album, would be. “Koroba” is littered with vibes and rhythm. This is the type of song that would rock club and parties, the vibes on it is just way too heavy. While serving a groovy joint, she casually talks her shit, especially as the song opens up. This is the type of song that we call ‘inbox’.
Boj — Abracadabra ft Davido, Mr Eazi
Just like the title suggests, this song is magic. This is one of those features that makes Davido one of AfroBeats forerunner. He’s known to deliver bangers on guest features, but for me, this one is way up there. The collaboration is also a very strategic one, one that would do wonders for Boj and the music scene; Davido and Mr Eazi on a song. We know Boj to be a beast, he’s carved a niche for himself over the years, he’s owned his sound. Mr Eazi came through heavy on this joint too
K1 De Ultimate — Awade
I love a man that can evolve with the times. A Fuji EP? No one would have thought of this in years, but K1 saw a vision. He’s taking his genre into the new age, he’s moving the genre into the times that we are in right now. For a genre that is predominantly for older folks, built on tradition, an EP isn’t supposed to make sense. K1 is about to make it make sense. Enlisting the help of Grammy-nominated Bankulli and Mystro, the Fuji veteran is taking his genre to a new promise land. I can’t wait to listen to the full EP. Its got guest verses from Teni and Tobi Grey.
Peruzzi — Lagbaja
Before taking what seemed like the longest break, it was no secret Peruzzi was working hard, recording new songs with new artistes every day. The Huncho breaks his silence after his big scandal with this heavy Vstix-produced joint called “Lagbaja”. On this record, Peruzzi was in perfect synch with the instrumental. I like this record a lot. Is this a statement in reply to the scandal? He sings “I never did it”. One can only wonder
Cracker Mallo — Wickedest Wine ft Fireboy DML
Before their individual big breaks, Cracker and Fireboy worked together a lot, so you’ll understand why they have this heavy chemistry. Fireboy’s first big record was made by Cracker. “Wickedest Wine” is the producer’s first track off his upcoming tape “A Friendly Introduction To Sound”. It is a lovely record. It shows the singer’s strength as we’ve come to know it. The chemistry between both is so evident in this song. I am particularly in love with the production on this record. Cracker heavily messed with lots of sounds and instruments. Fireboy’s bounce is something to kill for, and then the chants? Magic.
DJ Kaywise — What Type Of Dance ft Mayorkun, Zlatan, Naira Marley
I think Mayorkun deserves lots of flowers this year. He’s been massively impressive this year. He’s on a roll. This song is his comfort zone. I was never in doubt as to how a Mayorkun-Zlatan-Naira Marley collaboration would work. Naira Marley as usual flows on this one like it’s nothing (try not to pay attention to his lyrics, they’re bad boy lyrics). Zlatan with the adlibs to die for, this song is such a cruise for me. DJ Kaywise got one
DJ Lambo — Bella ft Iyanya, Lady Donli
How did this collab happen?! I love that it happened! This song is sweet. It’s the type of song I like to call a “festive record”. It is so full of life and bounce, it’s that type of song that you play at the AFCON Nations Cup opening or closing ceremony. The chants, the Zulu-type back up vocals, the bounce all make this a record to feel good and alive to. I’m particularly impressed by Lady Donli’s ability to work with this beat. Iyanya is amazing, this could be a great comeback
Zamorra — Again O
Zamorra’s almost-Fuji-influenced sound is amazing to listen to. He’s something special. He’s unique. I got caught on his sound when he put out the viral “Importanter” and he’s grown a lot since that release. “Again O” reminds me of one of his previous releases “Runaway”. He is a story teller but he serves vibes with his stories that you almost get lost in the vibe that you forget the story being told. He’s talented. Magic Stick made a monster beat
Yemi Alade — True Love
Yemi Alade is Mama Africa and it is only right that she explores African Sounds a lot (which won’t be alien to us). She has seen both sides of the Nigerian audience; the good and the bad. She gets too much stuck for making her type of sound, but there’s something you can’t deny, she’s got vibe in her records.