Naeto C’s Super C Season debut, despite its critical acclaim as one of the best rap albums of the time, already showed that Naeto was well ahead of his time, and attuned to how much dance music would come to influence rap. Standout tracks like “Ten Over Ten” showcased his strong riff game as he climbed the melodic scale for the track’s catchy hook. And though he’ll probably always be remembered as the first Nigerian MC to declare his M.Sc, his latest single, “Kill’n Me Softly” featuring Sarkodie is more Afropop than Hip-hop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZOlIgxAdAd/?hl=en&taken-by=naetosuperc

Masterkraft produces the mid-tempo piano led single with synth harmonies and tin pan drums that emphasize the song’s prospects for DJ turntables. Even the “Aye” ad-lib is reminiscence of Davido’s club favorite, “If” as Naeto C sings of his feelings towards his unnamed love interest. Naeto C coos cheekily through the entire song, pausing only to let Sarkodie throw in a rapid fire guest verse. The Ghanaian rapper references the song’s socio-political context, “When It Be Ghana Naija, You Know Its Gon Be” before getting back to the song’s romantic narrative.

The switch up from hip-hop to pop has gotten quite popular since Drake’s inescapable viral pop album, Views with some artists pulling it off better than others. Naeto C already laid groundwork for creating his own unique blend of Afropop and rap on his last album, Festival released two years ago. “Kill’n Me Softly” with Sarkodie only expands his dance friendly sound outside Nigerian territories. The fact that the song’s title references a Fugees cover of a Roberta Flack song doesn’t hurt it much.

Listen to “Kill’n Me Softly” below.

https://soundcloud.com/afromusic-4/naeto-c-ft-sarkodie-killin-me-softly-1

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/naetosuperc

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

Fuse ODG’s video for “No Daylight” is the happiest video you’ll see today