Ladipoe is an inimitable force. On his 2021 EP, ‘Providence,’ the Mavin rapper delivered a slew of noteworthy performances with special appearances from big-hitter features from Amaarae, Fireboy DML and Rema. The EP also housed the standout track “Feeling,” a boisterous anthem featuring Next Rated artists, BNXN which soundtracked the post-coronavirus stay at home lockdowns, at a time the world needed aural healing the most.

The rapper has come to straddle an important intersection in Nigerian music. With a catchy husky tenor and exacting lyricism, Ladipoe has become the poster child for his unique position between mainstream success and Nigeria’s niche hip hop scene. In his last NATIVE Exclusive interview, the rapper candidly shared “When you feel like you represent something to people, you want to hit that target—and more so, because you represent that thing to yourself”, about the lofty expectations that have trailed him since he came on to the Nigerian rap scene. Whether he’s been able to shoulder the weight of these expectations is irrelevant, Ladipoe has amassed a respectable inventory of accolades under his belt.

 

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Now, Ladipoe is making a resounding comeback with an infectious new single ahead of his project, ‘Lifelines Of Life,’ which is slated for release later this year. Ahead of this, the rapper shares the Reward Beatz-produced single “Guy Man,” which features street pop savant, Bella Shmurda. The catchy new single places on the strengths of both artists, with Ladipoe’s quick punchlines and Bella Shmurda’s irresistible charisma, immediately drawing listeners in with hypnotic drum patterns and delectable keys.

The track’s groovy instrumental provides the perfect backdrop for Ladipoe’s bars which steadily fasten itself to the catchy production. “Last year, flight plans, world tour, white fans/meet guy man/dem dey feel guys out in Saipan,” he sings in the opening verse, painting a picture that visualises his current experiences as a globe throttling superstar. He continues speaking about his standing in the game today, with little insights into his state of mind with relatable lyrics like “I’ve never been the one to follow protocol.”

As the track’s tempo picks up, Bella Shmurda smoothly glides into the song’s hook offering a slight sonic shift. “Me I no dey tango, I dey do my thing for the angle,” he chants on the song’s hook, switching between Yoruba, English and Pidgin with ease. His gruff chants are a contrast to Ladipoe’s sonorous and sleek delivery, giving the release an element of the unexpected. Further on the record, Bella continues in a praise for the strides accomplished over the years only to be followed shortly by Ladipoe whose bars preach of self love and recognition of the wins received.

With “Guy Man,” Ladipoe and Bella Shmurda set the motion rolling on his new album and era, while continuing to cut their teeth as two of the most exciting young voices in Nigerian Pop today.

Watch the lyric video for “Guy Man” below.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE

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