Looks don’t count on Meyar’s mushy love song, “Ninety-Nine”

Posted on by The Native

“Even when we grow old, like ninety-nine, looking skinny like a toothpick”, Meyar sings on “Ninety-Nine”, his new song about love that ages like fine wine. It’s the season of love and “Ninety-Nine” is emblematic of the simplified Afropop-fusion sound Wizkid and Burna Boy championed all last year. It captures a core emotion in a few lines, leaving the ambience to do the rest of the work. In addition to a wine-friendly mellow production, a verse from DMW’s Dremo adds another layer of genre-blending to the track.

See Meyar and Dremo in “Ninety-Nine” below:

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Falz holds up a mirror against the Nigerian society on “Hypocrite”

Essentials: ‘ExPRESSION’ by Djaji Prime

Posted on by The Native

In the shifting state of music consumption around the world, hip-hop in Nigeria has stayed consistent and predictable. While young emcees chased crowd pleasing punchlines, established rappers jumped on the Afropop bandwagon for clout. It seemed like we had found the winning formula with exceptional projects filled with self-aware introspection. But the formula was hindering the genre from evolving as experimental projects merely meant carefully curated conceptual explorations with barely any attention to form. Perhaps this is why Djaji Prime’s project debut, ‘ExPRESSION’, feels particularly bold, pushing hip-hop to new places with his open-eared production and a staggering range of influences.

“Flight Mode” off PayBac’s ‘Autopilot’ album familiarized hip-hop fans with Djaji’s sing-rap flow. But beyond being in-tune with the trendy trap and hip-hop zeitgeist, his melodic delivery, varying sonic textures and descriptive storytelling finds the perfect match in Charlie X’s piano-driven production on this project. Thanks to the producer’s groovy fusion of classic 90’s hip-hop inspired beats and some oriental harmonies, ‘ExPRESSION’ is intrinsically a feel-good project despite Djaji’s brooding demeanor through the 12-track mixtape.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtIhIdPAVLm/

Opening track, “NO COMPETITION” has a bouncy trap beat with hypeman ad-libs that conjure images of strippers dancing on a pole, but Djaji’s raspy auto-tune vocals pull listeners into a dark landscape filled with haters and demons feasting on his heart. Though the track highlight the budding talent’s confidence, he’s self-conscious and wears his cold heart on his sleeves, rapping “Kill it in the Booth/ Bury Beats with the Bars”. The beat for “POT” is more somber as Charlie X seems to romanticizes Djaji’s grim tales of being no-fly listed with angelic vocal samples. Though the track establishes Djaji’s international exposure, traveling around the atlas seemingly dealing drugs, his reference to D’Banj’s “African Michael Jackson” is a heartwarming appeal to Nigerian music lovers without being pretentious.

The brilliant chemistry Charlie X and Djaji share on ‘ExPRESSION’ is highlighted on “HOTTEST IN THE STREETS” where Djaji’s sing-rap flow is meet halfway by oriental influenced percussion, synths and 808s. The catchy fusion of harmonies hype up Djaji’s confidence as his melodies are more mesmerizing and his bars hit harder; “Man I Know I’m Chosen, That’s Why I Flow With Purpose”. The mixtape’s title-track however finds him rapping with so much vigor, he slips into his native Hausa dialect while featured artist, Ria Sean, delivers a soothing hook as if to pacify Djaji’s gritty description of his life as an artist living in Lagos. His description is helped along by other featured artists, Boogey on “MUMU” and ODC on “SCRAP” and PayBac on “LAST NIGHT, I SHOT MY HEART” and Mon Lee on “JABI LAKE VIBE”.

Though each featured artist brings their own unique sound and style, ‘ExPRESSION’ remains cohesive as they help add a glossy, stylish, and sophisticated elegance to Djaji’s candid depiction of his edgy lifestyle. PayBac assisted “LAST NIGHT, I SHOT MY HEART” sets up Djaji to channel his angst to rock territories, while his pent-up rage didn’t reach its climax till ODC’s aggressive hook on “SCRAP”, the 8th track on the project. The last track on the tape, “THE DAMNED” offers no resolution from the shadowy lifestyle of his paranoid mind as he chants “Fuck The Struggle” with his voice compressed through a sleepy singsong delivery. ‘ExPRESSION’ is a welcome jolt for hip-hop in Nigeria with Djaji’s attention to several expressions beyond just rhymes and storytelling. His cold and absorbing narrative is delivered in a melodious tone that fits right into play dance-club playlists.

You can stream ‘ExPRESSION’ below.


Featured Image Credits: Instagram/djajiprime

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ICYMI: Listen to Charlie X, PayBac and ODC team up for “Gas”

Endia is back with another breezy wine-friendly bop

Posted on by The Native

To avoid suggesting Endia has been off-grid, his last single “That’s Me”, another wine-set track, was featured on The NATIVE. The release of his latest track, “Dem Daddy”, a braggadocious dancehall-tinged self-portrait more or less, confirms Endia is streamlining his style into a defined sound.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqP4OvPHGXf/

“Dem Daddy” thrives on a synth-based baseline with a touch of acoustics and drops implore you to sway as the chords progress. The accompanying video brings his world to the fore, with a pool party vibe featuring beautiful models having a sunny day out. There has been no word of project or collection of tracks to expect from Endia, but there is no doubt he’s onto something.

Listen to “Dem Daddy” here

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Nigeria’s new national anthem, “YE”, is already making history

Here is a full list of winners from last night’s Grammys

Posted on by The Native

As the years have gone by, the reputation of the Grammys as the biggest night in music has received considerable scrutiny. Particularly the award ceremony’s long-standing problem with people of colour and hip-hop was one of the major talking points leading up to this year’s Grammys.

At the award ceremony, while giving an acceptance speech for his award for “God’s Plan” as Best Rap Song, Drake took the stage to voice some of these opinions, saying “The point is, you’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown,” he continued. “Look, look, if there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending their hard-earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don’t need this [award] right here. I promise you, you already won.”

https://youtu.be/57AqIJLId-0

The rest of the night was notably controversy-free, save for Soweto Gospel robbing Seun Kuti, Fatoumata Diawara and others for Best World Music category. Elsewhere Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour took home the ‘Album of the Year’ award, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper scored the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance’ and ‘Best Song Written For Visual Media’ award for their song “Shallow,” from Cooper’s directorial debut, A Star Is Born , while Childish Gambino bagged ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Music video’.

See full list below:

Album Of The Year — Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves

Record Of The Year — “This Is America,” Childish Gambino

Best New Artist — Dua Lipa

Best Rap Album — Invasion Of Privacy, Cardi B

Best R&B Album Winner — H.E.R., H.E.R.

Best Rap Song — “God’s Plan,” Drake

Best Country Album — Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves

Song Of The Year — “This Is America,” Childish Gambino

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — “Shallow,” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical — Pharrell Williams

Best Rap/Sung Performance — “This Is America,” Childish Gambino

Best Rap Performance — King’s Dead, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake / Bubblin, Anderson .Paak

Best Rock Album — From The Fires, Greta Van Fleet

Best Rock Song — “Masseduction” St. Vincent

Best Metal Performance — Electric Messiah, High On Fire

Best Rock Performance — When Bad Does Good, Chris Cornell

Best Urban Contemporary Album — Everything Is Love, The Carters

Best R&B Song — “Boo’d Up,” Ella Mai

Best Traditional R&B Performance — Bet Ain’t Worth The Hand, Leon Bridges / How Deep Is Your Love, Pj Morton Featuring Yebba

Best R&B Performance — Best Part H.E.R. Featuring Daniel Caesar

Best Latin Jazz Album — Back To The Sunset, Dafnis Prieto Big Band

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album — American Dreamers: Voices Of Hope, Music Of Freedom, John Daversa Big Band Featuring Daca Artists

Best Jazz Instrumental Album — Emanon, The Wayne Shorter Quartet

Best Jazz Vocal Album — The Window, Cécile Mclorin Salvant

Best Improvised Jazz Solo — Don’t Fence Me In, John Daversa

Best Reggae Album — 44/876, Sting & Shaggy

Best Dance/Electronic Album — Woman Worldwide, Justice

Best Dance Recording — Electricity, Silk City & Dua Lipa Featuring Diplo & Mark Ronson

Best Contemporary Classical Composition — Kernis: Violin Concerto, James Ehnes, Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony

Best Classical Compendium — Fuchs: Piano Concerto ‘Spiritualist’; Poems Of Life; Glacier; Rush, Joann Falletta

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album — Songs Of Orpheus – Monteverdi, Caccini, D’india & Landi, Karim Sulayman

Best Classical Instrumental Solo — Kernis: Violin Concerto, James Ehnes

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance — Anderson, Laurie: Landfall, Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet

Best Choral Performance — Mcloskey: Zealot Canticles, Donald Nally

Best Opera Recording — Bates: The (R)Evolution Of Steve Jobs, Michael Christie, Garrett Sorenson, Wei Wu, Sasha Cooke, Edward Parks & Jessica E. Jones

Best Orchestral Performance — Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 11, Andris Nelsons

Producer Of The Year, Classical — Blanton Alspaugh

Best Engineered Album, Classical — Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 11, Andris Nelsons & Boston Symphony Orchestra

Best Pop Vocal Album — Sweetener, Ariana Grande

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — My Way, Willie Nelson

Best Pop Solo Performance — Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?), Lady Gaga

Best Country Song — “Space Cowboy,” Kacey Musgraves

Best Country Duo/Group Performance — Tequila, Dan + Shay

Best Country Solo Performance — “Butterflies,” Kacey Musgraves

Best Music Film — Quincy, Quincy Jones

Best Music Video — “This Is America,” Childish Gambino

Best Regional Roots Music Album — No ‘Ane’I, Kalani Pe’a

Best Tropical Latin Album — Anniversary, Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano) — ¡México Por Siempre!, Luis Miguel

Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album — Aztlán, Zoé

Best Latin Pop Album — Sincera, Claudia Brant

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling) — Faith – A Journey For All, Jimmy Carter

Best Children’s Album — All The Sounds, Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats

Best Folk Album — All Ashore, Punch Brothers

Best Contemporary Blues Album — Please Don’t Be Dead, Fantastic Negrito

Best Traditional Blues Album — The Blues Is Alive And Well, Buddy Guy

Best Bluegrass Album — The Travelin’ Mccourys, The Travelin’ Mccourys

Best Americana Album — By The Way, I Forgive You, Brandi Carlile

Best American Roots Song — The Joke, Brandi Carlile

Best American Roots Performance — The Joke, Brandi Carlile

Best New Age Album — Opium Moon, Opium Moon

Best Song Written For Visual Media — “Shallow,” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media — Black Panther, Ludwig Göransson

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media — The Greatest Showman, Hugh Jackman (& Various Artists)

Best World Music Album — Freedom, Soweto Gospel Choir

Best Roots Gospel Album — Unexpected, Jason Crabb

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album — Look Up Child, Lauren Daigle

Best Gospel Album — Hiding Place, Tori Kelly

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song — “You Say,” Lauren Daigle

Best Gospel Performance/Song — “Never Alone,” Tori Kelly Featuring Kirk Franklin

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album — Steve Gadd Band, Steve Gadd Band

Best Immersive Audio Album — Eye In The Sky – 35th Anniversary Edition, The Alan Parsons Project

Best Remixed Recording — “Walking Away (Mura Masa Remix),” Haim

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical — Colors, Beck

Best Historical Album — Voices Of Mississippi: Artists And Musicians Documented By William Ferris

Best Album Notes — Voices Of Mississippi: Artists And Musicians Documented By William Ferris

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package — Squeeze Box: The Complete Works Of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Weird Al Yankovic

Best Recording Package — Masseduction, St. Vincent

Best Arrangement, Instruments And Vocals — “Spiderman Theme,” Randy Waldman Featuring Take 6 & Chris Potter

Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella — “Stars And Stripes Forever,” John Daversa Big Band Featuring Daca Artists

Best Instrumental Composition — Blut Und Boden (Blood And Soil), Terence Blanchard

Best Alternative Music Album — “Colors,” Beck

Best Musical Theater Album — The Band’s Visit, Original Broadway Cast

Best Comedy Album — Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, Dave Chappelle

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Why The Grammys is no longer the ‘biggest night in music’ <

The music video for “Baecation” is an invitation to D’Banj and 2Baba’s temple

Posted on by The Native

The recent video for “Baecation” is what you get when you mix the 2Baba’s romantic sentiments with D’Banj’s sensual intentions. The pair have spent most of their careers making love songs and seem prepared to keep doing so even after getting hitched.

Over the mid-tempo beat Shizzi produces, mixing traditional drums, horns, vocal samples, percussion and D’banj’s signature Harmonica harmonies, 2Baba and D’Banj promise their lovers a good time they’d never forget. The music video Sesan directs is set in a futuristic universe where 2Baba and D’Banj provide virtual vacation services that whisks the two unassuming patronizers to party on an island. Their “Baecation” eventually comes to an abrupt end when the generating plant that powers the VR equipment overloads.

You can watch the music video for “Baecation” below.

Featured Image Credits: D’BanjVEVO

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ICYMI: D’Banj and Tiwa Savage make a stunning pair on “Shake It”

Listen to “Designer”, the romantic new single from Niniola and Sarz

Posted on by The Native

The potency of Niniola and Sarz’s partnership was certified on “Maradona”, one of the most defining Afropop songs of our era. The two have kept building their artists-producer relationship since, releasing subsequent hit songs like “Bana” and now their latest collaboration, “Designer”.

“Designer” finds Niniola in her more romantic elements as she confesses her unconditional love for a significant other over the pacy beat Sarz produces. The catchy synth baseline slinks into earworming horn samples as if in celebration of Niniola’s bright and cheerful emotions towards her lover. Singing, “Boy I Like The Way You Do Me” for the chorus, she pulls off yet another unassuming love song with suggestive lyrics for adult audience.

You can stream “Designer” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/officialniniola

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ICYMI: Watch Niniola’s steamy music video for “Bana” here

Watch the Michael Jackson inspired music video for Olamide’s “Woske”

Posted on by The Native

You’re welcome to contest Olamide’s claim to being the voice of the street, but his dominance on radio and DJ playlists is undeniable. On his latest single, “Woske”, he reminds listeners that he’s the life of the party over a decidedly EDM beat Killertunes produces.

Though Olamide’s lyrics are charming, aimed at a love interest, he can’t shake off his cocky attitude. As a result, “Woske” teases out the space between ice-cold shrug-off and desperate longing as he disrespects haters and charms lovers in the same breath. The music video Unlimited LA directs sets him in a club where he stunts on all the dudes at the VIP section by showing off wads of cash and performing a Zanku infused impression of Michael Jackson.

You can watch the music video for Olamide’s “Woske” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/OlamideVEVO

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ICYMI: See this interesting music video for Olamide’s “Poverty Die”

Odunsi features UK singer, RAYE, for new single, “Tipsy”

Posted on by The Native

After exploring the synth-heavy nostalgia on his critically acclaimed ‘rare.’ album debut, Odunsi quickly morphed into a rapper to fit into the trap universe of DRB’s “Necessary”, released shortly after. But on his first single for the year, “Tipsy”, he aims for that sweet spot between avant-garde and accessible and finds it.

“Tipsy”, combines rattling samples to add a groovy Afropop swing to 808 drums. The contemplative minimalist mix is a comfortable bridge between DJ sets at Nigerian nightclubs and UK nightclubs. Setting the misty ambience allows him to focus on getting his sultry message across to all the new audiences he has garnered since selling out shows in Lagos and UK. And though he has proven quite adept at solo romantic confessionals, he features, RAYE, who gives “Tipsy” a duet attribute towards the close of the track.

You can stream Odunsi and RAYE’s “Tipsy” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/odunsitheengine

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ICYMI: Here are all the Essentials from Odunsi’s ‘rare.’ album debut

Police and DSVRT confirm Ricco and Chima are still in custody

Posted on by The Native

The gender section of the Nigerian police charged with investigating cases of sexual violence has confirmed Don Chima George and Rasaq Oluwaseun Oke (Ricco), are still in custody.

Mixed reactions have trailed the arrest of both alleged rapists since rumours that they had been released on a platter began to swirl on the internet yesterday afternoon. Speaking on the arrest to ThisDayLive, Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, gave a detailed breakdown of events:

“The duo allegedly took a girl, 23, to a club on Saturday, February 2, 2019, unknown to her that they had an ulterior motive. While at the club, they mixed the young woman’s drink with a substance that made her weak and almost unconscious.

“Satisfied that the drug was beginning to affect the victim, they quietly left the club with her to Dallankester Hotels in Lekki Phase one, owned by the father of one of the suspects named Don-Chima George.

“At the hotel, they took turns to rape her. As if that wasn’t enough, they videoed the abuse. When the victim woke up from the induced sleep, she confronted the suspects who denied having carnal knowledge of her. Not satisfied, she placed a call to her elder brother complaining that she had been violated.

“The brother immediately invited policemen from Maroko Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Isah Abdulmajid to the scene”

In spite of the statement by DSVRT last night, a lot of people appear to still be cynical about the status of Chima and Rasaq’s arrest. The official follow-up statement from the Lagos State police command released this morning also provided some clarity on that. “The accused persons will be produced in court on March 7, 2019″ the statement read, adding that “The accused persons are currently at the Kirikiri Prison.”

The NATIVE also reached out to a representative for DSVRT who urged the public to remember the need for a judicial process to be followed through. “It’s understandable that people are angry and they want to see justice, but these boys are still suspects”, she told us. However, she blatantly refuted rumours that the police had been bribed to delete the evidence and release the suspects. “How much money can his father have to buy top police officials or the whole judicial system?”, she mused over the phone, charging the public to be patient with the legal proceedings.

Teni The Entertainer announces “TENI LIVE”, a 20-city world tour

Posted on by The Native

Last year, Teni the Entertainer did all the work to defend her claim as one of the biggest Nigerian artists in 2019. But she remains as relentless as ever, featuring on new singles, offering entertaining interviews, and now announcing a world-tour. Whether by faith or intuition, she sang “Teni Makanaki on a row/ Rocking every city on the globe” on “Rambo”, and now she can live her dreams when the “TENI LIVE” tour kicks off on the 15th of February.

Doble Seis Entertainment made the announcement for “TENI LIVE” which will give fans a chance to see Teni performing in 9 countries and 20 cities, spread across 3 continents. The show kicks off in Birmingham, UK  before moving on to the rest of Europe. She’ll be in Lagos on the 18th of February before the tour moves on to its last lap in Canada.

You can see the full schedule for TENI LIVE below.

February 15: Quantum Event Centre, Birmingham

February 16: Viva Nightclub, Manchester

February 24: London

February 27: Pryzm Nightclub, Portsmouth

March 29: Cyprus

March 30: Romania

March 31: Turkey

March 5: Bulgaria

April 6th: Poland

April 7th: Belgium

April 18th: Lagos

April 26: Windsor

April 27: Ottawa

May 3: Toronto

May 4th: Montreal

May 10: Vancouver

May 11: Victoria

May 17: Winnipeg

May 18: Calgary

May 19: Vancouver

May 24: Halifax

May 25: Regina

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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

ICYMI: Teni and BOJ create raunchy Afropop goodness on “Obe”

The case of rapists Don Chima and Dj Ricco is unfolding with shocking new twists

Posted on by The Native

Now and again sexual impropriety and assault come up in popular conversation and between blatantly disbelieving victims and a healthy dose of slut-shaming, certain things seem to always be demanded from them; A report to the police instead of social media call outs and Evidence of the assault being the most popular. Chima and Ricco’s victim checked both boxes yet hours after they both were arrested for drug-facilitated sexual assault, they were not just released but swapped for the complainants.

On a night out with their victim, Chima George and Segun Rasak aka Dj Ricco reportedly drugged and raped her in a hotel owned by Chima’s dad. Alerting her brother to the assault, the police was brought in, both rapists were arrested and video evidence of the assault was discovered.

In an unusual turn of events, another report surfaced online at about lunchtime, yesterday,  a now-deleted tweet suggested Chima and Ricco were allegedly released to their families and the victim’s brother arrested in their stead. The officers on the case are also said to have deleted actionable evidence from the record. Unperturbed by the undeniable blow to the simmering hope of seeing justice be served, the underhandedness of their release has sent people into a frenzy.

 Minutes after news that the alleged rapists Chima and Ricco had been let off the hook broke, the hashtag – #JusticeforRapeinNigeria garnered enough engagements to become a trending topic, pro bono legal teams banded together to take on the victims case, some people have taken time out to update reviews of the Dellankaster Hotel where the assault took place on booking platforms; driving its ratings into the ground.  

Confronted with a seemingly dead end with law enforcement in our country despite the constant chatter on sexual assault taking place around the world with movements like #metoo and #marketmarch,  it’s tempting to resign to silence but the multiplier effect the activism has catalyzed must never be downplayed. We’re inching closer to completely breaking the culture of silence with these crucial conversations empowering people to confront harassment and assault in ways that previously may have felt too risky.

However well-intentioned, dedicating resources, time and energy to telling women how not to get raped to avoid being at the mercy of a justice system they lack confidence in is bollocks. This only provides women with a false sense of comfort and the illusion that taking certain precautions can solve the problem of rape, which it won’t.

It’s an uncomfortable conversation to have but properly addressing sexual violence requires confronting deeper problems — like unhealthy gender stereotypes and a peer culture that perpetuate or tolerate abuse. Everyone has a role to play in keeping people safe and this responsibility involves maintaining a healthy attitude towards pursuing justice.

It may not be happening at an ideal pace, but the wholesome picture of justice for sexual assault survivors is gradually taking shape and we’ll be here, fighting till the end.

——-

Update at 8:00 P.M, February 7th: According to an alternate statement from DSVRT, Lagos state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, Ricco and Chima are still in police custody awaiting their court dates. The agency revealed both boys were still being remanded by Magistrate Court 3, Ikeja on 6th February 2019 for a trial adjourned till 7th of March 2019.

The status of the release of Ricco and Don Chima, however, remains uncertain until a legal procedure has been followed all the way through. This is a developing story.

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Mariam is (insert pretentious stuff about myself here). Share your thoughts with me @MA_Y_M

On Sexual Assault and Rape, watch Udoka Oyeka’s “Las Gidi Vice”

Kao Denero features Runtown on cannabis promoting new single, “Green Gold”

Posted on by The Native

Lyrics about weed have pervaded in popular music in subtle and stealthy doses, but it seems now more than ever, there is a general acceptance of the use of the drug across the world. Although most African states are still too conservative to endorse it, South Africa took the bold step of legalizing the use of weed in private places last year. Sierra Leonean artists, Kao Denero, is encouraging other African states to follow suit on his new single, “Green Gold”, raising awareness on the benefits that lie in legalizing cannabis.

While he builds a strong case for weed, bringing up health benefits, financial benefits and some questionable bible references, Runtown also delivers a convincing set, interpolating lines from SiR’s “D’evils” to advocate for legalizing weed in African countries. The music video for “Green Gold” is directed by Patric Ellis who shoot by a beach location in Freetown where the typically illicit activity is perpetuated. But thanks to the blurry filters, viewers are spared from seeing the drug get abused.

You can watch the music video for Kao Denero and Runtown’s “Green Gold” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/KaoDenero1

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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

ICYMI: The important conversation we need to have on Nigeria’s war on codeine

Sarkodie features Akan for new single, “All Die Be Die”

Posted on by The Native

Hip-hop typically strives best when it’s aggressive. However, the indigenous direction of Sarkodie’s confrontational raps adds a sincere quality that makes it almost charming. On “All Die Be Die”, the Ghanaian rapper’s first single of the year, he raps over a traditional influenced beat Ware produces, mixing rattling samples, percussion, traditional drum riffs and guitar licks. The traditional drums are made even more echt by the chanting hook and Sarkodie’s rap bars, performed in his Twi dialect. “All Die Be Die” features a verse from his Ghanaian counterpart, Akan, who also sticks to his native tongue on the last verse.

You can stream Sarkodie’s “All Die Be Die” below.

Featured Image Credits : Instagram/sarkodie

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ICYMI: Listen to Sarkodie and La Meme Gang’s collaboration, “Homicide”

See the music video for Di’ja’s Bob Marley inspired new single, “Mr Bob”

Posted on by The Native

Di’Ja’s new single, “Mr Bob”, brings Reggae legend, Bob Marley, to mind in several important respects. For one thing, the song is written like an affectionate letter to a Mr Bob, catching him up on things he missed. Secondly, the Reggae dancehall influences are unmistakable with the lightweight ambiance of the beat IBK Spaceshipboi produces, mixing layers of percussion, horn harmonies, bouncy guitar licks and vocals samples. But it’s the medley where she interpolates some Bob Marley classics like “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Buffalo Soldier” that highlights “Mr Bob” as a tribute song to Bob Marley.

“Mr Bob” was released with a music video set in a bar where Di’Ja is seen wearing outfits with the Jamaican flag colors. The video is also edited with retro filters that make it easy to imagine Bob Marley in the cut of the tribute music video.

You can watch the music video for “Mr Bob” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MavinRecords

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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

ICYMI: See Di’Ja’s politically conscious music video for “Save Me”

Here are 7 election season songs you should be bumping right now

Posted on by The Native

We are officially in election season. Political takes have taken over the timeline, cafe-room chats, beer parlour debates, and more notably, popular music. It’s perhaps indicative of the complaints against the current administration as more than ever before, artists are willing to use their platforms and influence to mobilize for progressive political campaigns and jingles. Here’s a list of some of the most notable politically charged singles from the last few months.

INEC’s Avengers – “Not For Sale”

Previous election seasons were dominated by political-party affiliated jingles from our biggest pop-stars. This year, however, artists seem more reluctant to make such alliances as 2Baba, M.I, Tenitheentertainer, Waje, Chidinma, Umar Shareef and Cobhams Asuquo team up on INEC’s “Not For Sale”. Their nonpartisan political message made their soulful plea for citizens to exercise their franchise more compelling.

Slimcase, Simi, Mr. P, 2Baba, Pasuma, Falz, Illbliss, Timi Dakolo, Waje – “No Shishi For Bribe”

The inadequacies of the government become even more magnified during election season with opposition factions pointing fingers and raising pitchforks at the incumbent. It almost never comes up that our democratic government means part of the responsibility should fall on us, voting citizens. But ID Cabasa, Slimcase, Simi, Mr. P, 2Baba, Waje, Falz, Timi Dakolo, Illbliss and Pasuma make an admirable effort to remind everyone of the fact on “No Shishi For Bribe”, begging citizens to vote for the right reasons rather than sell their votes.

Falz – “Talk”


Falz has carved several niches for himself since he got into the industry (comedian, actor, TV show host), but his recent foray into socially conscious issues has been the most divisive despite being commercially accomplished. “This is Nigeria” may have set the template for his new-found political agenda, but it was “Talk” that introduced the candid and confrontational nature of his recently released ‘Moral Instruction’ project. Here he scrutinises with such precise metaphors that he might as well have illustrated a forensics portrait.

Rolay Bondo -“Kriminalz”

There’s a head-snapping, time-warped quality to Rolay Bondo’s new single, “Kriminalz”. Though the “This is Nigeria” inspired hook listens derivative, there isn’t the slightest hint of parody in her gripping tale of Nigeria’s unique backwardness. Her deadpan breakdown of the systematised injustice in the country is matched only by the melancholic percussion and downcast facial expressions in the music video.

Mr Raw – “Obodo Bu Igwe”

It’s hard to imagine any song raffling President Buhari’s feather, but Mr Raw’s lyrics, seemingly addressed to his brothers living outside the city, “It is Crazy/ We Dey Work Hard on a Daily/… Say Na The Youth Dey Lazy”, sure drives home the point that ‘the president doesn’t know what he’s saying’.

Superwozzy – “The Cops, The Youth, The Country”


“The Cops The Youth The Country”  earmarks rapper, Superwozzy’s deft ability, stringing words together in captivating rhymes while also weaving those rhymes into stunning narratives that retain listener’s attention. Over a decidedly soulful beat, Superwozzy retells the story of a young hustler in such riveting detail that the familiar hip-hop narrative feels like nothing we’ve never heard before. In less than 5 minutes, his lyrics describe the day to day hardships of being a young creative in a conservative and overpoliced society.—“SARS Mu Wa La Se/ Wan Mr Bean Wa/ Treating Us Like Trash bi Idoti Ninu Bin Wa”( Sars Took us by the legs/Did us like Mr Bean/treating us like trash, like I idiots, in our own bin). 

9ice – “Promise and Fail”

Normally, we’d be inclined to advise those who live in glass house against throwing stones, but when it comes to the very important subject of governance, we leave room for liberty. 9ice’s certainly wasn’t thinking about the Grammys on “Promise and Fail”, when he called out corrupt politicians for not honouring their promises. And in case you had any doubts about how current an artist popularly referred to as ‘ancestor’ can be, the song’s opening lines are “This is Not the Change That I Voted For/ This is Not a Game Like a PS4”.

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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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Watch the enchanting music video for Davina Oriakhi’s “Juju”

Posted on by The Native

Davina Oriakhi has released a quirky-bewitching music video for “Juju”, honoring the track off her debut album, ‘Love to a Mortal’. Released back in 2017, the song’s mystical sound stood out through the minimal instrumentation (guitar, synth and her chanting vocals). And though the lush and diffuse atmosphere she creates on “Juju” was already enchanting, the recently released music video adds a cinematic edge to it.

Samara Addai directs the music video, opening with cuts of Davina getting baptized before we follow her out into a park where she performs a mesmerize choreographed dance with a dance partner. As the song builds cautiously into her confessional hook, “This one Pass Juju”, the video portrays her mysticism through a ritual for her divine soul.

You can watch the music video for Davina Oriakhi’s “Juju” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Davina Oriakhi

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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

ICYMI: Check out all the essentials from Davina’s ‘Love to a Mortal’ debut

Nigeria Decides 2019: The face of election season Nigerian music is changing for the better

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Last week,   “Not For Sale” surfaced online, as the official jingle of the upcoming elections. The new single, backed by the Europen Union in partnership with the Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC), is a collaboration featuring Teni, 2Baba, Waje, Umar M Sheriff, Chidinma, M.I, and Cohbams Asuquo.

Unlike a lot of election season jingles where musicality is rarely a focus, “Not For Sale” actually has sonic high points. Notably, Waje and Teni setting-up Cobhams for a choir-backed bridge that concludes with an acapella outro by 2Baba. It’s a goose-bump inducing interplay of diverse voices that can spark a desire for national harmony in the most apathetic Nigerian. But more so, a tilting emotional element indicative of an ideological shift from how Nigerian musicians have been politically-positioned during past elections.

Traditionally, local artists who have grassroots appeal and influence have always been employed by politicians for election campaigns. During Nigeria’s 2015 election season, big-money political parties began luring influential mainstream artists to also lend a voice to their camps. The result is Olamide releasing “Change” a  pro-Buhari-Osibajo promotional single and “Gbagbe by Ambo”, an ensemble collaboration starring M.I, Ice Prince, Banky W Yemi Alade and others in support of outgoing Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. These are only a few examples of many instances where Nigerian musicians have co-opted to be blatantly partisan in the past, but it is also retrospective of a trend that is being phased out today.

The contentious nature of Nigerian politics makes it hard to separate crooks from public officials who committed to serving the people.  But musicians are directly in the ears of the average Nigerian and there is a limit to how much ignorance they can feign of the impact their choices can have on the people who support them.

As one of Nigeria’s few truly pan-Nigerian popstars, perhaps 2Baba knows this best. Mr Idibia has an active portfolio of songs about Nigeria. He has also headlined political sensitisation concerts like last year’s POLITIC-ALL, and led pre-election issue-based campaigns like the pre-Buhari #VoteNotFight. In addition to “Not For Sale”, Lagos-based NGO, Youth Alive Foundation, also cast 2baba, alongside Simi, Falz, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Sunny Nneji and others for “No Shishi For Bribe”, another song about voter responsibility.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bms9QpqhEio/

Even partisan younger artists are also distancing themselves from traditional candidate co-signs. Davido—who has already been publicly affiliated with a big political party—launched a parallel campaign tagged #DefendYourVote. In his words, “The future of Nigeria is not negotiable”, and the aim of #DefendYourVote is to sensitise young people about their rights and civil responsibilities during the upcoming elections. Elsewhere, rapper, Rolay Bondo’s “Kriminalz”, Yung L’s “To Whom It May Concern” and Falz’s socially-charged fourth studio album Moral Instruction, are honourable mentions of music providing pointed social commentary, charging status-quo to change.

Because social media chatter around politics and social justice can be likened to a virtual bar where the loudest drunk gets heard the most, it can be hard to tell if things are changing in the real world. Going by the news; the president is still arbitrarily abusing power and social institutions whose mere existence marginalises minorities still exist. Cynicism may appear tempting against patronising cliches like ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ or ‘democracy needs time’, but if there is any reason to cling on to hope in 2019, it’s public figures taking personal responsibility so the average joe can make better decisions.

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Toye is the Team lead at Native Nigeria. Tweet at him @ToyeSokunbi

Falz holds up a mirror against the Nigerian society on “Hypocrite”

Melanin Unscripted shares Chi Modu’s “Uncategorized” documentary

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Budweiser’s BUDX showcase hosted Chi Modu’s homecoming exhibition in Lagos last year. The Hip-hop photography icon was in the country to share some of his work and experiences with the younger generation of creatives and Amarachi Nwosu’s creative platform, Melanin Unscripted, have created a documentary from the highlights of the exhibition.

The “Uncategorized” documentary ensures that those who missed out on the BUDX event can catch up on Chi Modu’s works and the experiences he shared. In Amarachi’s words, “The video explores his story as a Hip-Hop documentarian while also highlighting how his work and story has inspired young people around the world.” The documentary emphasizes the role of photographers in the fueling youth culture for skaters, artists, DJ and models. The impression Chi Modu’s photographs had on the foundation of Hip-Hop and American youth culture is inspirational as he has played an instrumental role in both keeping and shaping the culture with his camera.

“Uncategorizerd” follows Chi Modu’s journey through New York and Lagos while he reflects on his dual upbringing and the impact it had on his art, bridging the two cultures at the homecoming exhibition in Lagos. Some of his most defining works with legends such as Tupac, Biggie, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Mary J Blige and others were shown in the documentary as he discusses the strong bonds he built working with each of them and how it helped him capture their more delicate and intimate side.

You can watch the documentary here.

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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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Listen to Censodd’s new single, “Dirty Fiona”

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The best Afropop songs are able to appeal to the romantic emotions without being engaging enough to distract from the dance rhythm. Thanks to the familiar and lightweight beat Sprng produces for “Dirty Fiona”, Censodd’s heartfelt performance on his sultry new single gets sunlit into a charming dance tune. The rocksteady pace of the piano led mix of synth harmonies, vocal samples, guitar harmonies and a catchy Afropop drum riff that cuts through to add some bounce of the rhythm is easy to get into. But it stands at a direct contrast to Censodd’s lyrics which remain googly-eyed romantic as he alludes to an eternal love; “If You Slow Down, I’ma be Your Last Ride/ And We Go Settle Down”. Fortunately, the song’s catchy melody takes precedent over his demanding lyrics.

You can stream “Dirty Fiona” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/censodd

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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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Best New Music: SOLIS’s “watch me” is the birth of a new kind of artist

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When I spoke to SOLIS last year, she gave a pretty quick summary of her creative process saying, “I made everything on my phone”, with a giggle in her voice. It was almost like she was both surprised and pleased with the outcome.

Hip-hop has grown on the back of the advancements in music tech that have shaped the emergence of the genre itself. The invention of 808s for example, took hip-hop away from its funk origins, leading up to today’s syncopated electronic trap music. As the programmes to produce music have gotten more advanced, the adoption of technology to do it faster and better has also spurred the birth of unconventional, often DIY artists.

In the last two years, we have seen Kendrick Lamar collaborator, Steve Lacy—who also produces music on his phone, primarily—come under the spotlight. Somehow though, the narrative around Lacy has been more derivative of his age, instead of the indicator for the evolution of music production for which he is.

One of the most special things about this generation of innovative artists is access to a wide range of influences, and the freedom to take experimental risks that may sound like everything, and nothing at all. This is the first major reason “watch me”, the first single from, SOLIS, is so striking. “watch me” was initially released with a vintage-filtered video casually tweeted with nothing but a deadpan caption that dubbed the track as a “lil something”. Only, it wasn’t a “lil” anything, it was a tear-jerking guitar-led song about finding inner courage after a break-up.

SOLIS is your neighbourhood tortured poet, with a sardonic sense of humour, driven only by the need for expression by any medium necessary. “Watch me as I break, the cycle of I give and you only take”, she sings in low-pitched falsetto over the guitar-led Lo-Fi production. The rawness and vulnerability of her songwriting on “watch me” will be familiar if you have heard pop ballads from modern day neo-R&B provocateurs (Think: Rihanna, SZA or Jhene Aiko).  In her words, “watch me” is inspired by a situation she has moved past, there are boundless possibilities of where she goes from here.

Stream “watch me” by SOLIS here

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Toye is the Team lead at Native Nigeria. Tweet at him @ToyeSokunbi

Falz holds up a mirror against the Nigerian society on “Hypocrite”

FOKN Bois bring Mr Eazi along for fan appreciating new single, “True Friends”

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In our current internet obsessed times where social media engagement is currency, it can be hard to distinguish friends from fans. But as far as Ghanaian duo, FOKN Bois, is concerned, fans are the real friends out here. The duo of Wanlov the Kubolor and M3NSAs have released their debut single for 2019, “True Friends”, and it features a verse from Mr Eazi.

Over a piano led beat and 808 drum riffs, Wanlov the Kubolor and M3NSA call out their friends for not being more supportive online singing “One Retweet Sef, You No Do/ Artist Dey Pap, You Say What?/ Chale fuck off!” Mr Eazi’s verse is short, offering some encouraging words to artists with hating friends. Though the mix of Trap influences and Afropop makes for an uplifting record, Mr Eazi’s exponential growth over the years makes his “My Guy You No Go Ever Fall Oh/ E Be Them Wey Dey No Go Move” lyrics feel like an adrenaline boost.

“True Friends” is FOKN Bois’ second release in anticipation of their ‘Afrobeats LOL’ EP set to drop in March.

You can stream FOKN Bois and Mr Eazi’s “True Friends” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/foknbois

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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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