It’s hard not to root for 21-year-old newcomer, Fave. Following a successful run in 2021 which culminated in a double feature on Olamide’s highly anticipated 8th studio LP ‘UY Scuti,’ and the release of her breakout hit “Baby Riddim,” the singer began the  year determined to draw fans and listeners closer into her world with the release of her debut EP ‘Riddim 5.’ However, for those who’ve been paying attention from the jump, Fave’s success feels like a divinely ordained next step in her nascent musical journey.

 

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By now, it’s no secret that Fave is no stranger to Internet success. When she was only 18 years old, her first official single “M.O.M.M.S” went viral on social media, attracting the ears and attention of loyal fans who have stuck by her the whole time and bolstered her career to new heights. Since then, Fave has operated in a lane entirely of her own making, teasing covers and new singles on social media, with an audience that’s acutely aware of her rookie status with veteran tendencies.

Over the years, she’s risen from an exciting name on the cusp of a breakthrough to a rising star worth paying close attention to. Showcasing a unique mixture of versatility and style, Fave continues to fashion herself into her own kind of pop powerhouse, choosing to put the music first before anything else. And this seems to have paid off for her as she continues to win over the Internet and many industry heavyweights along the way.

With the release of her debut EP, ‘Riddim 5,’ Fave is ready to prove herself and her abilities even further to the world. Employing stellar production from a range of talented producers such as KrizBeats, Niphkeys, Damie and more, the singer tells deep and poignant tales about love and life from the perspective of a 20-something woman still finding her way. Each song carries a profound sense of emotional depth which Fave uses to conjure therapeutic levels of aural healing for those in need. Her touch is light, and the production so well-matched that when she makes claims such as “I still go do my own, this shit is part of the run,” on “Kilotufe,” nothing seems out of place.

The hard work is evident and ‘Riddim 5’ has already made its way to the top albums on Apple Music Nigeria, barely 24 hours from its release. So, what’s the project’s best song? Biggest skip? Most surprising moment? The NATIVE team have got you sorted as we deliver what we think are the standouts from ‘Riddim 5.’ Here are our first impressions of Fave’s debut EP.

Best Song?

Ada: That’s hard because before I heard the project, I thought it would for sure be the single, “Baby Riddim” but now I’ll have to add two more tracks to my fave list and those are “Obsessed” and “Mr Man”. They’re really so catchy and they just get you in a gentle groove. Don’t sleep on “S.M.K” too.

Wonu: My best song is easily “Mr Man”. I love the progression of the track, it’s so enjoyable and soothing to listen to and I certainly appreciate the bounce on the production of the track. Close second will be “Baby Riddim”, it sounded as if it was a new song I was listening to and it just flowed with the whole tape. Fave really did something with this tape I must say.

Dennis: Split between “Kilotufe” and “Mr Man.” Maybe because they’re night and day, musically and thematically, but they work in their given contexts. The music on “Kilotufe” is sparse and thudding, a foreboding backdrop for Fave’s annoyance at a former love interest trying to double back after she’s become popular. “Mr Man” is lush, somewhat dreamy, and has a sunny bounce, perfect for those re-assuring quips. Maybe it’s the latter, because the opening line of that chorus is one of the top highlights of the EP.

Biggest Potential Hit?

Wonu: Even after giving the project a few spins, I think “Baby Riddim” is still the biggest hit off the tape. I believe the song is going to be a lot bigger than it already is right now. The song has so much potential to be a global smash hit, I mean let’s take a look at what the track is currently doing?

Moore: “Baby Riddim” definitely seems like the most versatile. It has the kind of rhythm that makes it capable of being a club anthem, but is also chill enough to be the type of song someone could listen to relaxing with friends or alone. That’s not even mentioning the fact that it already is the most popular song so far, having Baby over 3 million streams on Spotify.

Biggest Skip?

Moore: My biggest skip has to be “S.M.K”. It doesn’t immediately hook me the way the other songs do. It may work better out of the context of the rest of the EP, but it feels extra repetitive as it seems like a less complex version of some of the other tracks. It is overall a bit too mellow and uncomplicated. It could be good for the right mood however, just not every mood.

Tami: It’s hard to choose your biggest skip on a project that runs under 20-minutes, especially one as thematically drawn together as ‘Riddim 5.’ Every song serves a purpose on this EP and peels back a layer to the viral star that we’ve become accustomed to over the past few years. Still, gun to my head, if I was to choose my biggest skip, it would be “S.M.K,” the Niphkeys-produced number which I had run back a couple of times before it stuck like the other songs. Still, it’s a strong body of work that deserves to be heard.

Overall First Impression

Ada: I can not deny that Fave definitely has so much potential. The whole project definitely doesn’t hit from the first listen, it’s one of those that you start getting into it from the second listen. Surprisingly I enjoyed it more than I thought I would but I do wish she added one or two more songs and had more versatility with the overall vibe of the project.

Moore: ‘Riddim 5’ is certainly an easy listen. No song has too much energy. It works in the project’s favour, the songs aren’t overwhelming but they aren’t boring either. The order of the tracks also gives a nice build up to the most energising song, Baby Riddim. not super experimental, it is the type of EP that you could listen to driving home with the windows rolled down. I definitely see this finding a lot of success.

Dennis: ‘Riddim 5’ is a project of consolidation; there are no wild surprises but it’s a pleasant way to build on the abilities Fave has flashed in the last few years of her come-up. Her writing is consistently evocative, her voice is a marvel in how she uses it, dialing it down for breeziness and cranking it up in bits for intensity and tonal variety. Since “Baby Riddim” is the breakout hit, this EP makes her potential for greatness undeniable.

Featured image credits/Tomm_34