KEL - THE INVESTMENT ...Naija Album Review

KEL – THE INVESTMENT
Naija’s Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)
A strong review of Naija albums
04/09/2009 Oyebowale ‘oyeakd’ Akideinde http://vocaldrops.blogspot.com/

GENRE: Hip Hop
LABEL: CAPital Hill Music
Year of release: 2009

1. Intro (skit)
2. Waa Wa Alright ft Skin
3. Nobody Else ft Shank
4. Turn By Turn ft Wizkid & YQ
5. Beautiful Life ft Aique
6. Jeun Soke
7. Too Fine ft Alaye & Mayd
8. Omo Yapayaski ft Durella
9. The Sola Thompson Love Hour (skit)
10. Need You In My Life ft Six & Darey
11. Boy Meets Girl ft Slk
12. Love ft MI & OC
13. Area Mama by Tosyn Bucknor (skit)
14. Dem Don Dey Move ft Illbliss, Tha Suspect & Uchie
15. Die Hustling ft Illbliss
16. Push ft Nyore
17. Waa Wa Alright(remix) ft Iceprince
18. Sitting On Top ft Waje & Jesse Jagz
19. Outro (skit)

Okay so we got advance warnings on CAPital Hill’s new Lyrical Investment in the Zain sponsored MTV Show but nothing could have really prepared us for KELechi Ohia’s lyrical debut. In an industry dominated by male MCs globally (Queen Latifah & MC Lyte had to come out with new albums after an hiatus of 11 and 16 years respectively to help rebuild the female MC scene with Jean Grae & Nicki Minaj being the only 2 hot acts in the Global scene today), Kel with her adorable smile and lyrical prowess obviously isn’t ready to stay content with becoming Naija’s No 1 female MC but rather battle for the top spot irrespective of gender.

And so as our Naija Stock market prices continue to prefer Kobo as the choice of currency, let’s explore the 15 reasons why we should all invest in Kel’s Investment album.

After an “Intro” that reminds us of Kel’s ill verse on the Ill Bliss’ classic “U Go Wound O remix” track, the album starts proper with the smash single, “Waa Wa Alright” which showcases a hungry female MC and the energetic Skin with his power-charged ‘Awon Boyz’ hook. Being the 1st single off the album, Kel displays a very capable flow, albeit with simple lyrics and rhymes. The players change but the game’s the same/Don’t hate, just scream my name/It’s Kel & I’m off the chain/This sh*t is so insane. If you weren’t convinced of Kel’s impressive flow yet, the next track “Nobody Else” with Shank & Tha Suspect will definitely ease any concern on her hit-making ability. Shank’s ragga +Kel’s Rap + Tha Suspect’s RnB Chorus = BANGER. The track is laced with an infectious Suspect produced beat that all three (especially Shank) tear apart from start to end with their tripartite flow. “Turn by Turn” flows in next with YQ & newcomer Wizkid with the ‘Be Patient …Wait your Turn’ message which will surely sink in.

Featured Aique puts De La into the Soulful “Beautiful Life”. This joint is smooth and Kel’s flows compliment Suspect’s beats. “Jeun Soke” is a weak effort for a Club Jam and will probably get skipped every time. It’s a shame that Kel couldn’t do justice to Jesse Jagz heavy driven beats.

My favorite track off the album and probably Kel’s best work on the album is her latest single – the up-tempo banger “Too Fine”. Kel is joined on the track by rapper Alaye, MayD crooning the hook - You too fine, girl you dey blow my mind (my mind girl)/ You too fine, Kel you be one of a kind (a kind girl) & an assembly of TY Mix’s concocted groovy beats. It’s pure magic & like she raps - U (they) keep coming back cos U (they) wantin more/Hell No! U (They) ain’t ready for a flippin encore.

Energy filled “Omo Yapayaski” which features the Zanga King Durella is another DJ’s investment from the album. Her flows are tight (Fresher than fresh, I’m back on the scene/Lyrically the best I’m the realest ever seen) over the drum loops and Durella's energy signature is all over the track.

Cupid’s arrow must have found its mark when Kel was in the studio, cos the next three tracks- “Need You in My Life” ft Six & Darey; “Boy meets Girl” ft SLK and “Love” ft MI & OC are all love songs. Her art of storytelling must be at its best when she’s talking about love. “Boy meets Girl” & “Love” are stand out tracks, easy on the ear and floats through your surrounds and speakers making the ambience right for some panty dropping (Yes BOSS). Invest your time in these tracks & you won’t be disappointed.

You guys moving yet? Cos the next track WILL MAKE YOU MOVE (just like dat). On “Dem Don Dey Move”, Kel lines up a ferocious pack – Ill Bliss, Tha Suspect & newcomer Uchie to rip up Suspect’s produced Seismic (Are you feeling these beats) & Grimey Beats. Ill Bliss unfortunately takes the shine on this one as he does the next track – the below average “Die Hustling”. The raga infused “Push” which features Naija Dancehall Star Nyore is quite good but Kel simply rides out the beats with very elementary rhymes (I wish her verses were tighter on this one, this should have been her next single)

The remix to “Waa Wa Alright” showcases a punchy verse from Chocolate City’s Ice Prince with a slightly different beat. “Sitting On Top” which features Waje & Jesse Jagz has the team TPaining on the track. Gosh! I hate Auto-Tunes (No disrespect, T-Wayne). Would have loved to hear this track without the Auto-tune cos I was kinda feeling Jesse Jagz’ verse.

Though many may argue that this album was over-packed with so many MCs, I see it differently as A Hip-Hop Battle Contest similar to the MTV’s Advance Warning Show but this time Kel takes no prisoners -male or female (apart from Ill Bliss …reminds me how Jay-Z always stole the show on any track he was on) and can raise her head high.

Production is also very tight on this album and why shouldn’t it be, the album’s productions are provided by the Hottest Producers around - Tha Suspect, Dr Frabs, TY Mix, Jesse Jagz, Bigfoot & J Martins. Every album needs just one of these guys and Kels’ was invested in by all of them.

Outstanding Tracks: Nobody Else, Too Fine, Love, Dem Don Dey Move, Omo Yapayaski
Disappointing Tracks: Jeun Soke, Sitting On Top, Die Hustling

VOCAL DROPS Rating System

VERSATILITY: 7/10
OPINION (Personal): 7/10
CREATIVITY: 7/10
ACCEPTANCE: 6/10
LYRICS: 6/10
DELIVERY: 7/10
RHYTHM: 7/10
ORIGINALITY: 7/10
PRODUCTION: 8/10
SKIP FACTOR: 8/10

THE VERDICT: 7.0/10
Armed with a devastating smile and Rapping with so much swag, class & all her clothes on (which is quite odd for a female MC), Kel’s Piggy Bank is now ready for an upgrade to a CBN board-appointed Bank. Kel has upped the standards for Naija’s Hip-Hop game giving a new voice to Girl Power in this male dominated industry and is definitely gonna fall the walls of female marginalization in Naija’s Hip-Hop game.

With so many guest appearances (and so many of her advance warning buddies), this is the true Collabo album (sorry Dee Bee) which in the end still puts Kel in the limelight. She’s definitely one for the present and the future. Let’s hope her stocks keep rising and don’t forget to INVEST in her album. I daresay this album is far better than most of the albums out there. MALE or FEMALE

This album MAKES THE iPOD.

MY M.I. ALBUM REVIEW GETS PUBLISHED IN THE NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

At last my work gets noticed. Yesterday, my review on M.I.'s album got published in the Nigerian Tribune (well it's a start). Watch out for reviews coming your way

BTW Thanks Efe ...I owe you big

MI – TALK ABOUT IT
Naija’s Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)
A strong review of Naija albums
25/05/2009 Oyebowale ‘oyeakd’ Akideinde


GENRE: Hip Hop
LABEL: Chocolate City
Year of release: 2008
1. An Outrageous Intro (skit ft The President)
2. Anoti ft Gabriel
3. L Boogie Intro (skit)
4. Short Black Boy
5. Teaser ft Pype
6. Talk about It ft Leony
7. Safe ft Djinee
8. Random Guy Buying (skit)
9. Blaze ft Jesse Jags, Ice Prince & Blaise
10. Area ft YQ
11. Fast Money Fast Cars ft Wizkid
12. A Short Discussion (skit)
13. Money
14. Forever
15. Jehovah ft Eben & Lindsey
16. Hustle
17. Thank You’s & Ova Ish (skit)
18. Crowd Mentality



The Album is called TALK ABOUT IT so let’s talk about this 13 track scorcher which includes 5 unforgettable skits that this lyrical & very versatile short black boy who lives in Jos, Plateau State delivers along with his brother Jesse Jags (let’s not forget now, Kraft also produces a track)

The Naija Hip-hop scene was getting stale with the same old ‘bum shaking’ & ‘dollar making’ tracks. Along came an artist like no other willing to change the game; very versatile …we 1st heard him on his single – Crowd Mentality from his 1st album – Pyeri Boy (Yes boss, this is his sophomore album) sounding like a revolutionary ready to shake up Naija’s Hip-Hop scene. We waited patiently for him and he didn’t disappoint with his much anticipated album.
Jude Abaga better known as ‘M.I. (Mr Incredible)’ turns the game upside down; not your typical Naija emcee, MI is a true story teller with an effortless laid back flow, smart delivery, punch-lines and crazy rhymes.

After his brief skit with Mr President asking if ‘we go feel am’, M.I. explodes into the hard beat-driven “Anoti”. This UNBEATABLE track goes hard from the moment the beats drop, introducing himself before he spits bars with the opening lines “They call me MI with a brand new jam/brand new song/brand new feeling I can’t go wrong/It’s the incredible Mr/fast & fury coming thru your transistor/Saw this sista…” and proceeds to deliver the rhymes in a manner that is unparalleled in Naija Hip Hop today. His style shifts and changes on the drop of a dime and he works his breath control effortlessly "I got the magic static/I got the chrome automatic/so systematic/you ready/for this so melodic/neurotic/chronic/so supersonic/bionic/u could get on it ". He doesn’t slow up after “Anoti”; instead he proceeds to accelerate his craft on each and every track. He lays it all on the line on “Short Black Boy” that’s laced with a soft bumping beat which allows you to hear delivery after delivery of his lyrical depth; combines effortlessly with Pype on the ragga infused “Teaser” to spit more venom “Hello mamacita/You’re a sexy chicka/I’m a gal teaser/so babe let me please ya” and takes it home on “Talk about it” where he talks about the ish, crows about our Government along with Leony.

He then decides to integrate all the current Naija hits into one head-nodding “Safe” where Djinee practically laces on his melodious voice to make this track an instant classic; drops Party tracks for the DJs “Area” ft YQ and “Fast Cars” ft Wizkid. With an album this good, he can’t but give thanks to his Creator in the sweet sounding “Jehovah” which features Eben & Lindsey

Talk about It would probably take forever to discuss each track (even the skits are good), what is even more astonishing is that I didn’t skip a single track. With a wide range of featured artists (The popular Djinee & YQ to the less known Pype & Ice Prince) who don’t crowd the album but rather complement the album giving the tracks they are on, special tune-ups. MI uses his creative genius to take us on a journey of narration only found amongst the US artists (Slick Rick, Jay Z, Biggie, Nas, Rakim & Mos Def). Mad props to him; never thought I would be comparing a Nigerian artist to my fave emcees.

And what would a lyrical emcee be without the perfect production? MI, his brother - Jesse and the Executive Producer – Audu Maikori are able to create a sound haven in Chocolate City that captures the essence of MI’s being without the use of big-name producers for sure shot hits (with the exception of the Kraft-assisted “Fast Money Fast cars”). It’s a “risk” to create an album with this much anticipation without the big names, but the producers do much more than just hold their own as they support this short black boy’s style extraordinarily well.

Outstanding Tracks: Anoti, Area, Teaser, Hustle, Safe, Short Black Boy
Disappointing Tracks: None



VOCAL DROPS Rating System
VERSATILITY: 9/10
OPINION (Personal): 9/10
CREATIVITY: 8/10
ACCEPTANCE: 5/10 (unfortunately only about 30% of the Nigerian Population is into Hip-Hop but I expect about 20% or more to be converted once they listen to this album)
LYRICS: 9/10
DELIVERY: 10/10
RHYTHM: 9/10
ORIGINALITY: 9/10
PRODUCTION: 7/10
SKIP FACTOR: 10/10



THE VERDICT: 8.5/10
MI isn’t ahead of his time, it’s what the Game’s been yearning - the day that someone will take Naija Hip Hop upon their shoulders and heave it into the next level, fear not because the future is here and he comes in the form of Jude Abaga known to us as M।I.

This album is an instant CLASSIC. Only sore point is the CD Jacket which is just like the rest of Naija Jackets …Cheap & Tacky. Guess he decided to play safe with that one.