It’s a thing of Joy that Nigeria celebrates Independence day today, but looking back, all that can be seen is a lot of blood sacrifice, hard work, determination, commitment and resilience. On his new releases, “Bless Me” and “Champion”, Korede, just like his label mate Di’ja, beckons to Nigerians to spread love and light, putting more hard work and commitment into our greatest positive passions and desires; nothing is a limitation for the grateful  —“Omo olope”, as he sings on “Bless Me”.

On “Champion”, which is drenched in flowers of Yoruba Language, he instills a lot of optimism and hope for growth, singing, “no be who first come class, no be him carry first class/na only God show pass, he’ll surely find away”. Although the mixing of “Champion” is a bit uneven with pattering percussion in the background, when one decidedly redirects all focus to Korede Bello’s narration, the song will seem more moving than “Bless Me”, which has a tighter production.

Listen to Korede’s “Champion” and “Bless me”, released by Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records below.

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

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