Later this year, Show Dem Camp’s debut album, ‘The Dreamer Project’, will be a decade old. In that time, and over the last five years especially, the rap duo of Tec and Ghost have established themselves as a phenomenal blueprint for indie rap music coming out of Nigeria. Since its introduction in 2017, the groovy Palmwine project series has earned SDC the bulk of its recent commercial impact, however, they haven’t abandoned the Clone Wars series, a line of lyric-driven, hard-nosed rap tapes which are integral to the group’s unwavering reverence amongst “hardcore” hip-hop fans.

On July 9^th, SDC will be releasing the fifth installment of the Clone Wars series, subtitled “The Algorhythm.” The project’s announcement follows months of speculations and clamour by fans seeking a timely follow-up to early 2019’s Clone Wars IV: These Buhari Times, the most socio-politically charged edition of the series yet. Debuting in 2010, the Clone Wars series was initially used as a freewheeling avenue to flaunt traditional technical rap prowess, but by the late 2016 release of Clone Wars III: The Recession, Tec and Ghost followed a 4-year project hiatus with deeply introspective, lived-in raps.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Show Dem Camp (@showdemcamp)

Upping the ante, ‘These Buhari Times’ leaned into incisive commentary on Nigeria’s societal conditions, with features from M.I Abaga, Ladipoe, Vector, DAP the Contract and more. Announced along with its stunning cover art, which includes visual allusions to the pandemic and raging insecurity in Nigeria, it seems fitting to predict that Clone Wars V: The Algorythm will continue with the socio-political fervour of the series’ last edition. The album will also include features from Reminisce, Ladipoe, Jesse Jagz, MOJO, Tomi Owo, and more.

Ahead of the album release in two weeks, SDC has shared the lead single, “Rise of the Underdogs 2,” the sequel to a track off Clone Wars III. Produced by TUC, the song’s gruffy Afro-Caribbean soundscape is fitting for Tomi Thomas’s booming vocals and boastfulness, which sets the tone for the song’s thematic direction. On the first verse, Tec continues to prove relatable and self-assured, referencing the cutthroat lifestyle predominant in Lagos and reiterating his drive to live on his own terms. Following on the second verse, Ghost goes full lyrical braggadocio, piling on vivid metaphors as an imperial statement of his superiority to any supposed competitors.

“Rise of the Underdogs 2” is a welcome precursor and strong reminder that SDC still have their pens sharp, in case anyone ever doubted.

Listen to “Rise of the Underdogs 2” and pre-add Clone Wars V: The Algorythm here.

@dennisadepeter is a staff writer at the NATIVE.

ICYMI: WE SPOKE TO THE DIRECTOR BEHIND THE THRILLING VIDEO FOR SHOW DEM CAMP & BUJU’S “DO ME NICE”