REVIEW
ALBUM REVIEW: “Sorry I’m Late” Is Buju’s Testament Unveiling
“Sorry I’m Late” is victorious and fully launches Buju into the Nigerian music landscape; unveiling him as the strong artiste which could be likened to the fresh air in the Nigerian music space. Buju, categorically structured sturdy melodies and rhythms which layers his expressions of thoughts from within and how he has come to understand himself and artistry, as he curates outside the box.
Buju‘s debut extended play, Sorry I’m Late is promising at the same time, doesn’t fail to put Buju on the perfect track as the one who murders every hook and chorus he comes across. Well, Buju becomes distinct as He sang good enough, but not as deep as the Buju who’s always alluring on features and has been a spontaneous creator whose vocal range could transit with a listener’s emotion.
Sorry I’m Late, had snapshots of Buju being an emo-hero in between, but I searched that part of him that is deep enough to fill a void in one’s emotion all through the project and could find it less.
While the first track on the project titled, ‘Daniel Benson’, draws inspiration from his birth name completely describes his sounds as one who is on fire as he confirms that he is on a different path and journey. Moreover, Buju tested and dents his magical melody upon the fifth track with a notable assist from the Cavemen on ‘Ogechukwu‘, which becomes a crisp clear traditional effort and is unlike other creations on the project. However, “Ogechukwu” from the extended play is the track likely to bring native men closer in one joint as it is relatable to Palm wine music, with its watery piano cuts alongside the duo’s effort which would tend to preserve the tune on the long run.
‘Something Sweet‘ is where Buju tends to be the one we first loved most. He becomes the melodious Kingsman, although not as deep but was rich and beautiful. While ‘Kilometer‘ draws from Burna Boy’s debut theme this year, which was good and regular as well, unlike the traditional Ogechukwu which also traced roots back to God for Buju’s successful career run.
When ‘Here‘ was given on an Amapiano duet, it was a bit deep as it sounded groovy and had elements of hedonism and fandom because it linked the woman factor with it. ‘I Do’ was the rendezvous mode of the project. Whichever way the end was good as the start where he was being personal and also ended on a more personal level saying on the mild pop sonic experience, “You think I’m perfect I’m flawed just like you/My heart and dedication’s what getting me through/I’m with the challenge I want it, I do, I do”.
In conclusion, Buju’s debut project is like a testament unveiling where he walks into the Nigerian music landscape to secure his space and demography, as much as he proves his valuable worth. He is the fresh air in the Nigerian music landscape.
Rating: 3.5/5
REVIEW
Album Review: Blaqbonez Jettison Hardcore Rap On ‘Emeka Must Shine’
Blaqbonez tries new sound and rhythms on ‘Emeka Must Shine’ , jettison hardcore rap
The album started with the high-energy, mid-tempo “Road Runners”, featuring Ghanaian sensation Black Sheriff supported by vibrant lead guitars and subtle chords, is a heartfelt way in which the singer talks about his journey from a struggling rapper to one of the best in the job.
The second track 6 business days is a sexual jokes and business minded track. Blaqbonez shows he is a homebred talent whose music is the very heartbeat of the streets, enhances the song’s lyrical narrative. Paying tribute to the likes of Jowi Zaza, Blaqbonez shows he loves sex but doesn’t joke with money.
On KILO, Blaqbonez shows delightful plucking of lead guitars, gentle percussion, and heavy kicks. This is a track for serenading a lover and the joy of beautiful sexual intimacy. Like Ice Spice is a song where the singer talk about ever form of sexual counters, this is where he hails his spending money and his ability to bag hot girls as a preacher of sex without love. As a rapper, Blaqbonez visualize orgasms, strokes and everything sexual encounter on this song.
Appealing to the South East part of the country, Blaqbonez employ the fastest upcoming rapper from South East, Jeriq, here to talk about money and everything wealth. Nyem Ego as the title suggests show everything the rapper is trying to talk about.
Naija Shawty featuring Victony is a track that is particularly marked by solos, striking chords. Their lyrics delve into their resilience and street-smartness in finding a balance between work and love, especially from their Nigerian lovers. Blaqbonez maintains here that his love for Nigerian girls will always be top despite that he’s seen girls all over the world.
Dollarz by Odumodublvck is also a new sound, similar to Ice Spice, the heavy tone from Odumodublvck makes this song a love to fans ears. With the voice of a choir underneath, this song will strike a chord in your heart. The Bezos is where Blaqbonez talks about his future, a very good plan of how he plans to go out and top.
“Today no fit be tomorrow Give me one year I go feel like Bezos, my bank account no fit reach zero”.
Rating 7.5/10
ALBUM
Album Review: Bnxn Suffers From Monotony On Debut Album ‘Sincerely, Benson’
Here’s the review of ‘Sincerely, Benson’, the debut album by award-winning Nigerian singer Bnxn.
On 5 Oct. 2023, Bnxn—or Buju as he was formerly known—released his debut studio album, titled ‘Sincerely, Benson’ like the closing salutation in a formal letter.
A good lyricist, who admittedly took some lessons from Grammy-winning Burna Boy while signed to the latter’s Spaceship Records for two years, Bnxn was understandably economical with both features and duration of this album.
(There are a lot of albums that might have been successful if not for their unnecessary collaborations. Perhaps, Bnxn learnt from the mistakes of others.)
With a handful of collaborators (2Baba, Headie One, Taves, Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez, Popcaan) present, one may not be mistaken to say ‘Sincerely, Benson’ is a collaborative effort planned by a number of great minds in the background.
On ‘Regret’ featurng 2Baba, Bnxn holds the reigns over the formerly called 2Face, a respected figure from the 2000s who made a loud impact in Afrobeats-to-the-world Movement.
As a matter of fact, Bnxn gives no chance to being overshadowed by his guests, holding the reigns in each and every collaboration!
However, there is a lapse.
Bnxn suffers a huge blow from monotony. The sound has not elevated from what was heard in his previous EPs, and has started to become boring.
He is a talented artist without a doubt, but a great voice and intelligent lyrics are not enough, especially if the sound is repetitive. Versatility in style or sound matters as much as lyrics and voice do.
Nevertheless, or on the good side of it, if ‘Sincerely, Benson’ has achieved something, it is the re-confirmation that Bnxn is not to be played with as far as pen game is concerned—one of the best of his generation in that lane.
‘Pidgin & English’ is this writer’s favorite track off the album. What is yours?
Comment below!