Like we are revisiting the works of Fela, King Sunny Ade and Haruna Ishola amongst other sound progenitors via their cultural impact today, the classics of our time have also been written. Some of those classics are from careers that enjoyed short-lived but widespread relevance like Remedies, Styl-Plus, Plantainshun-Boiz, others are from elite class artists like 2face, Omawumi, Asa and Bez, outliers who defined their reign with a distinct style and a sound that cuts across the times. “Super Sun”, the original track off Bez’ 2011 album of the same name, opens with what sounds like a rowdy school morning. Bez motivates, dreams and keeps a light-heart, with the airiness of a man who strongly believes in the promise of better days to come.

The remix however somewhat inverts things. Though Cobhams Asuquo initial production is sustained on the Eldee, Ice Prince and Eva Alordiah’s version, verses are given an additional bass lift o give a more hip-hop feel. On the first version of “Super Sun”, Bez proclaims that all one needs to imagine our wildest dreams is closed eyes and a little imagination. Eldee who opens the remix, brings a contrast instead, offering a glimpse at the bleakness of the music grind, the sleepless nights and the long wait to reaping sowed seeds. Ice Prince’s contribution is a bit of bleep on this remix, thankfully Eva Alordiah gives a pitch-perfect sing-song closing rap verse, bearing the same weary optimism Eldee began with, in a manner similar to the style heard on No Name’s 2016 mixtape, Telefone. For Eva who delivers the most potent verse, the problem with success is not just ‘doing it’, it’s wanting more. As she puts it aptly “I see stars/ but the sun is what I’d rather be”

Because there is a new rapper on the block every other day, the uncertainty of the hip-hop game, even for the most successful, is almost tied with its hustle. In Nigeria, the odds are even further stacked against rappers, who have to struggle for airplay because their sound is not as viable for the mainstream as the generic Jollof sound. It’s not a surprise therefore that having three rappers on a presumably uplifting track about reaching for excellence, can quickly turn the number into a mid-tempo reflection of hope amidst unfulfilled potential and the never-ending music grind. Albeit unintended, “Super Sun” remix, reminds us that contentment is not necessarily accepting where you are, it’s appreciating that position but charging forward anyway, especially if your dreams supersede your current reality.

Stream “Super Sun” remix via SoundCloud below

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

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