Davido’s plan to take afropop global culminated a two-year-long campaign which resulted in the release of his sophomore album, A Good Time.

As expected, ‘A Good Time’ delivers a smooth exercise in translating and flattening Davido’s dual-national range of influences, as he features artists and producers from both Nigeria and America. The project is soaked in the pop sound of West Africa filtered through mainstream pop flavours that highlight the omnivorous evolution of afropop. Standout track, “Sweet in the Middle”, draws from neo-R&B, rap, pop and Nigeria’s regional street-hop style.

Produced by Shizzi, mellow synths and zanku-ready drums background Davido’s modulations, in the opening verse. Naira Marley’s usually boisterous cadence is more laid-back on “Sweet In the Middle”, allowing Zlatan to steal the show with a more energetic follow-up delivery. Towards the end of the track, WurlD comes in to meld all of the track’s varying textures and moods together, mashing afropop with his own unique R&B-inspired style.

Despite the different sounds, each artist allows the beat’s transfixing rhythm to shine. “Sweet in the Middle” sums up the wide range of influences in afropop, while offering a dream-pop vision for what we may come to understand as authentic afropop for many many years

You can stream “Sweet in the Middle” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/davidoofficial
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

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ICYMI: Best New Music score: 8