Banky W – The W Experience ...Naija Album Review

BANKY W – THE W EXPERIENCE
Naija’s Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)

A strong review of Naija albums
24/12/2009 Oyebowale ‘oyeakd’ Akideinde http://www.vocaldrops.blogspot.com/

GENRE: R n B
LABEL: Empire Mates Entertainment
Year of release: 2009

1. The W Experience ft Muna
2. Can’t Stop Me (O o To Be) ft Skales
3. Strong Ting
4. Omoge You Too Much ft Wizkid
5. Lagos Party
6. Thief My Kele ft Oladele & Waje
7. Tanker ft Wizkid
8. No Be Lie
9. Follow You Go
10. Feeling It ft MI
11. So Brand New
12. Nobody
13. Why
14. Lagos Party(remix) ft D Banj, Naeto C, Iceberg Slim, 9ice, eLDee & MunaStrong Ting(remix) ft Verse Simmonds

With 2 previous albums under his belt (The 2006 US Release Back in the Buildin’ and the 2008 sophomore hit album Mr. Capable) and the hottest verse on the massive eLDee record ‘Big Boi’, there is no place to go but up for Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W aka Mr Capable on his 3rd album - ‘The W Experience’; an album which encompasses all the good things that the Letter W starts with – Wealth, Women, Wonderful, Wisdom, Wish-lists (what? It’s Christmas).

The album begins with the “W Experience Intro” narrated by the beautiful Muna (that’s what the 2007 MGBN Munachi Abii is known as nowadays). Although lacking in energy, her voice sensually wets your appetite for the next array of songs. The silky and jazzily infectious “Can’t Stop Me (O o To Be)” which features new EME rapper - Skales eases in on cue taking the album energy level up. Cleverly produced by newcomer Sunny Nweke, Banky W talks about the industry, his capabilities that make it impossible for people to bring him down and how he meant no disrespect to Uncle Rueben Abati.

Up next is the monstrous hit 1st single “Strong Ting”. Banky W does well to ride the success of this mid-tempo song by complimenting it with a Video that MJ (RIP) would be proud of. The addition of Cobhams’ phenomenal hit making flute-like sound to Banky’s sprinkled intoxicating vocals should ensure award nominations for Mr Capable.

EME’s teenage signee Wizkid joins Banky on my favourite cut from the album – The ID Cabasa produced “Omoge U Too Much”. This dynamic duo showcases their musical chemistry in their efforts to woo the opposite gender. One thing’s for sure Cabasa + Banky = Certified Hit (I really hope they do a video for this). “Lagos Party” a definite club banger is produced by the talented Dokta Frabz. It showcases Lagos in all its splendour, elegance and freshness. Banky W pays homage to where he grew up in; a City whose Nightlife & Parties know no bounds. The very catchy chorus ‘Aint No Party Like a Lagos Party’ will definitely come out of your lips while listening to this track. “Thief My Kele” is an album filler with the Usual Suspect OlaDele & the beautiful Waje.

Banky W continues to exercise his versatility and freedom to experiment with different types of production on the W Experience, stepping outside of his boundary to provide the Typical 9ja Ass Shaking “Tanker”. K Solo’s signature is all over the multi-faceted sounds & heavy drum loops and should get a lot of spins in the Clubs. Tee Y Mix produces the sweet sounding Mid Tempo “No Be Lie” (I dey feel your swagger die) which features a touch of the 80s trumpets influence and finds the singer committing to become a fly chick’s maga while “Follow U Go” sees Banky reverting to his bread and butter, supplying rich vocals over Cobhams’ production to ensure a perfect Ballad.

Banky W returns to his roots and the key to a successful R&B record on the next three tracks: LOVE. On “Feeling It”, a tight rap verse comes courtesy of MI while Banky's soft coos echo across the mellow backdrop. It is a gem of a Track. The amazing baby-making ballad “So Brand New” will be on repeat on the Ladies’ Play-lists & Bed-side Stereos - A true Love-struck record. “Nobody”, the joint produced by the Muzik Men, contains pleas, promises & vows to a lady who is contemplating leaving the relationship. Banky does his best to convince the lady to stay by taking her down memory lane how Nobody knows her better than he does.

Omo wetin dey happen/God gave us oil in the Delta/Water for Benue & Niger/Mineral resources all over/Then He called us Nigeria/We have no Natural Disasters/Na we dey cause kata kata/We come dey fall asunder/E Dey make me dey wonder. These are the opening lines to the Cobhams inspirationally produced “Why” which showcases Mr Wellington and arguably his best vocal performance on the album as he asks every Nigerian Why can’t Nigeria be so much better.

“Lagos Party (remix)” continues from where the original left off. The Cast of D Banj, Naeto C, Iceberg Slim, 9ice, eLDee & Muna all recount their party experiences in Lagos by dropping extremely tight verses. The remix is a guaranteed hit and DJs will be glad for this quality track. Maybe I’m just being greedy but I would have loved a different beat and also verses from Kel, DaGrin & Mode 9ine (Banky, here’s my Xmas wish-list for ya).

The album comes to a perfect conclusion as Puerto Rican born Interscope Records Signee Verse Simmonds drops his Island B (a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Caribbean sounds) type of flow on the “remix of Strong Ting” making it slightly better than the original. The collaboration works well.

With The W Experience, Banky W provides another great album to tuck into his small but ever growing portfolio as he continues to expand before 9ja’s very eyes. It was an experience where tracks with flaws were rendered inconsequential due to the quality of most songs ensuring that the album never strayed into boring mode.

Outstanding Tracks: Omoge U Too Much, Strong Ting, Lagos Party, Why, Lagos Party(remix), Follow U Go, Feelin It
Disappointing Tracks: The W Experience, Thief My Kele

VOCAL DROPS Rating System
VERSATILITY: 9/10
OPINION (Personal): 8/10
CREATIVITY: 9/10
ACCEPTANCE: 7/10
LYRICS: 9/10
DELIVERY: 8/10
RHYTHM: 9/10
ORIGINALITY: 8/10
PRODUCTION: 8/10
SKIP FACTOR: 8/10

THE VERDICT: 8.3/10
It’s a shame that Nigeria has set a ‘Standard Price’ for CD Sales cos this is one album I would have paid much higher for. With The W Experience, you get to experience hints of what makes an album a classic and a masterpiece. Banky W tends to take the listeners on a swanky ‘Alice In Wonderland’ journey, one that showcases his consistency and capability as well as putting on pillars on the musical foundations already built for future masterpieces. Remember to include this CD in all your Christmas Hampers and gifts because trust me; the W Experience is on every lady’s wish-list.

Raindrops on roses & whiskers on kittens/bright copper kettles & warm woolen mittens/The W Experience album tied up with strings/these are a few of my favorite things.

Merry Xmas everyone & a Happy 2010!!!

This album MAKES THE iPOD

* The album artwork wrongly leaves out D’banj on the credits for artistes’ featured on the Lagos Party Remix. Sources state that he was a last minute but excellent addition to the song, and the Marketer had already gone ahead to print copies of the album sleeve prior to the final versions being submitted. Subsequent prints of the album will have the right credits.

Da Grin - CEO (Chief Executive Omoita) ....Naija Album Review

DAGRIN – CEO (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OMOITA)
Naija’s Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)

A strong review of Naija albums
28/09/2009 Oyebowale ‘oyeakd’ Akideinde http://vocaldrops.blogspot.com/

GENRE: Hip Hop
LABEL: Mi So Fun Yin Entertainment
Year of release: 2009

1. Ghetto Dreams ft Sossick
2. Everyday ft Ejay
3. Pon Pon Pon
4. Kondo (Magic Stick)
5. Swag (File)
6. Make Doe ft Dark Poet & Sossick
7. Gboro ft Isolate
8. What They Want
9. Hola Hola ft Tfrizzle
10. Thank God ft Omawunmi
Bonus Tracks
11. Lala ft DaGrin - Nla
12. Bigiano ft DaGrin - Iwofa
13. Pon Pon Pon (Instrumental)

9ja Stand Up! This is not just another Yoruba album; it’s an Indigenous Mainstream Hip-Hop Album. Dapo Olaonipekun’s (DaGrin) time has finally arrived after a very disappointing 2006 debut album “Still on the Matter”. With each record (2008 big hits “Efi mile” with YQ & “Idi Nla” with Lala) DaGrin featured on, he has crept closer & closer to the mainstream & has ensured that his new album should not be taken lightly. It has to be a satisfying feeling when you know your sophomore album is going to be far better than the 1st one. DaGrin has managed to link quality with a local language -Yoruba on Chief Executive Omoita.

The album opens up with the bluesy, bass looped banger, "Ghetto Dreams" which features Sossick with a nice hook. The Kid on the streets (Omoita) mixes his Music dreams with the those in the Ghetto, reminiscing on his past –poverty, hardship, struggles and his future dreams. His lyrics are so sick (No pun intended) that you can’t help but love this track - Aimoye igba ti awon eyan ni ki lo give up/ Won ni mo local, pe o no mi o’nse hip-hop/ But mo wa determined, mo de wa focus/ T’orie ni oruko mi se spread bi staphylococcus [translation: How many times have people told me to give up/They say I’m local, dat I’m not hip-hop/But I was determined and focused/Becos of this, my name has spread like staphylococcus]. “Everyday” featuring little known Ejay follows the similar rags 2 riches theme with a smooth soulful looped beat from Sossick; DaGrin talks more on his everyday struggles, hussles & determination metaphorically and with crazy word-plays all spun in Yoruba - Everyday ni mo’n ji/ everyday ni mo sun [translation: I wake up everyday/ I sleep everyday]

DaGrin takes us to the streets on the Club Banger “Pon Pon Pon”. With jacked beats from Tony Yayo’s “So Seductive” (or is it 50’s “I Get Money”), DaGrin violently destroys the beats as if he’s freestylin’ in the hood (Omo 9ja ni mi/9ja lo bi mi si/9ja ni mo ti bere si ni ka ABC) with his slick Yoruba wordplay, punch-lines and immense hunger to get your feet over psyched to dance. On this track, you start to get a sense of why he named his album CE “Omoita”.

Track Alert “Kondo”. Common people say this with me -Mummy mi o si ni le/ Daddy mi o si ni le/ Egbon mi o si ni le/ Emi ni kan mo wa ni le/ Wa gba kondo, kondo, kondo/ Wa wo commando, mando, mando. A track not obviously for Radios puts DaGrin in his comfort zone, spitting over a sick, raunchy sex-fueled beat courtesy of SAS. DJs will definitely spin this track a lot in 2009. It’s one of my favorite tracks off the album.

On “Swag (File)”, you can almost feel DaGrin grinning before dropping the line – E mi ni Kabeyesi [translation: I’m da king] over the very average Sossick Crunk beats. He then flows with so much swagger on the track along with the “Owo ati Swagga” Cartiair (he wasn’t listed on the album credits). This track falls below the standards of the other tracks heard so far. “Make Doe” ft Dark Poet & Sossick also has a very average Crunk beat, yet the more I hear this track, the more I like it. DaGrin’s witty rhymes keep you in check from pressing the skip button. He drops his hottest lines on this track - Emi ni da best sugbon e fe funmi ni crown/ Kilo kan eneti ati gbe ni iyawo pelu gown/ E dahun, your flow is so fake like a clown/ Let me teach u how we get down we run dis town/ Mo fresh and aint lookin real stressed/ Mo da bi omo tuntun tan she bi look at me YES/ Igbo, shayo, ashewo dis is how we livin ole pa mi layo/ Missofunyin entertainment emi ni CEO / Mi o like olopa mi shere pelu DPO. Dark Poet’s verse is also on point - A standout track from the album.

“Igboro” ft Isolate (9ice’s style jacker or is it the other way round???) shows a lot of potential and again you get to understand why DaGrin calls himself an Omoita, his bars are hard as nails and gives females the nervy feeling that you don’t want to be alone in the alley with this cat. “What they Want” is very disappointing and has a jacked beat from 50 Cent’s "Wanksta".

“Hola Hola” ft Tfrizzle sounds very chiwalla-ish (Slum Dog Millionaire, duh!) and is produced by Tfrizzle as well. It’s a hot track and DaGrin transforms this joint to a track for the Clubs & Radio DJs. Omawunmi & DaGrin sweetly “Thank God” for bringing them from grass 2 grace and the beats is done by the 1 & only Dr Frabs. Another winner here as Omawunmi belts the chorus like she’s doing a West African Idol show while DaGrin continues where he left off dropping more punch-lines - Buying a razor-blade (NGN10.00) with a NGN1,000.00 note & not collecting his change. The lyrical content on this track is outstanding.

With the diverse variety of production (Sossick, SAS, Tfrizzle & Dr Frabs), DaGrin’s Yoruba lyrics is well supported to allow each track fuse together transparently into one big story book of the CEO. Da Grin obviously gets his inspiration from the G Unit Camp (jacking beats, from 50’s "Wanksta" & Yayo’s "So Seductive") and his style also sound like 50’s. Well every Great in History needed to be influenced by another Great (hmm. I wonder who influenced the 1st Great, Guinness?) DaGrin shows a hunger similar to when 50 Cent was a thirsty up and coming artist. He even jacks 50’s line on the end of “Swag” - switch ur style up/…watch the money pile up. No one can deny the similarities between DaGrin and this Hip-Hop Icon which hopefully should cement his status as a true emcee & not just another street credible rapper jacking beats, lines & styles.

Outstanding Tracks: Kondo, Pon Pon Pon, Thank God, Make Doe, Hola Hola, Ghetto Dreams
Disappointing Tracks: What They Want, Swag (File), Iwofa

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

THE VERDICT: 7.1/10
Known for grinning before dropping bars, DaGrin has cemented the fact that you can rap in a local language and still be a dope MC by pushing the standards up a knot beyond those already set by his predecessors – Zaaki, 2Shotz, Big Lo & Lord of Ajasa. Many may argue that 9ice did it way before him but trust me; while 9ice’s songs are proverbial and way too deep, DaGrin’s are phenomenal and has “Street Credibility”.

One thing I like about this album is that although it’s targeted for Hip-Hop heads, it still manages to crossover to mainstream ...the Yoruba Nation will love it & those who can’t understand a single word will still fux with it. All the tracks have blazing hooks/choruses which are a blessing and in my books, the right recipe to get non-Hiphop heads to listen to your songs. No one can take Dat Grin off DaGrin’s face for now

This album MAKES THE iPOD.

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.