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2face Idibia's Ascension album reviewed by former TV personality and host of Nigeria's first ever music video countdown, Emmanuel Ugolee. Read below...
I was going to take my time and digest "The Ascension" but then the news that the 2 week (or so) old album had broken an African billboard record would not let me. I was in a mad hurry to see what content had pulled that feat.
Just before I took to dissecting, I cautioned myself about:
a) Comparing the album to the prevalent sound of buzzing music today since I had immense disregard for the yardstick of its acceptance (melody and lyrics alike) and ...
b) Making comparison with the "face 2 face" album as every
great act gets to deal with the curse of an early great outing in his career.
Micheal Jackson chased "Thriller" with every effort till he died. He
never touched it for many, if not all of us. Seems same for 9ice, Snoop Doggy
Dog, Asa, Bobby Brown, MajekFasheketc
So the basis
for judgment fair and square had to be : How much of the man we love, could i
feel in this album? Did he "fall" the proverbial hand? Would I find
home grown and universal appeal worthy of Africa's biggest act of this generation?
Can I relate to the sense or nonsense he made? Would I be proud to be a fan
when I am done?
Now that my
head was clear on the basis for a standard analysis, it was time to press play
on track 1
1) Go ftMachelMontano :
Trying to stay still without rhythmically moving body parts to this song
is sheer punishment. Your classic party jam which I think was a strategically
smart move to appeal to the critical under 25 audience. Typical plot of a girl
in the club pulling all the attention by doing her thing. He also communicated
in a language they know so well eg "blow my mind, way you whine, carry
go". Glad though that he observed the limits, leaving Hennessey, Ferrari
and Versace alone.
Then next to
Patoranking, can't wait to hear a Machel Montano album. Awesome delivery on
this track he served. Great blend with 2face. Generally, a good feel good song.
2) #Aproko : I've noticed 2face's music is
influenced by romantic love, governance, human inter-relationships and his
personal experiences. #aproko is a clear mix of the last two.
For years, I
have known Dr Sid to be mild tempered but the only time I've seen the beast in
him awaken was because of twitter. Someone had the nerve to tell a man hurt
over his dad's demise to "stop ranting and give us hits joor". Like
Peter Okoye, 2face got the same medium used to have his family disrespected.
Banky's head has had countless trending hash tags. Can you imagine how that
must hurt?
Well the
agony is felt in #aproko. Strong words unveil the disgust 2face feels in his
stomach about the trend. Describing the pitiable, backwardfocused, idle state
of the cyber bully as unworthy of sleepless nights. He however urges victims to
dust shoulders and ignore them because they are just words that shouldn't get
to them, even when the words kiss their a**es. Great lesson for all but a celebrities
favorite you can bet.
This message
is served with a warlike sound from Leriq.
Not a song for all but on point with content.
3) Holiday! A second feel good song with a
little extra ginger. David Guetta and Calvin Harris were the names to pop into
my head as I followed the changing drum sequence. The message reminds you of
Will Smith's 'Welcome to Miami'. No stress, no work, no worries. Just have
fun. This song would effortlessly slide into
any house music DJ's mix. While the clubs @ okoko would gladly skip this song,
this is heaven for the table top dancing, PiccoloMondo, Caliente going, Ajebur
kids and all their action replicating wannabe's.
My advice
sha is to constantly check your account balance as you swipe your card
listening to this song because of its power to inspire flow of Shayo. A good
attempt to cater for house music's loving global fans
4) Can't hear you ftVector : Turn up sound for the
youngsters. Close your eyes to the beat
and you'll see YMCM and YBNL. Now music that be bumping with today's
hippies.The kind of sound that extends his life span with the Y
generation.Nicely produced.
Lyrically,
he was just letting personal stuff off his chest. I didn't work too hard to
connect but I wasn't sure I could say the same for the average listener because
you had to be in his shoes to relate to the pain of having someone always
trying to famz with irrelevant topics even when you are just trying to have a
good time. Sounds like he gets that a lot in the club. Only money talk would
not be bother at that time he says. Vector flawlessly drove the point home with
a memorable rhyme scheme and trademark clarity only wished he sounded more
personal along the line of 2face's expression. He sounded like the beat was
sent to him to voice in a different studio armed only with the topic.
5) The best I can be ft iceberg slim
and Rock steady :
This sound made me want to do two miles an hour in a convertible with everyone
who has ever put me in undue stress without a clue of my personal struggle,
watching me roll. Vintage 2face, still on that "I am not perfect, I can
only be me, I no send you, I no holy pass" tip. He stresses also on his
realness chopping some kpanla aka okporoko and didn't forget to talk about a
failing government. Too many messages for one song if you ask me.
Iceberg slim
slayed his verse even though he had a forth element of flossing added to it.
"Do me like masturbation' is not only unoriginal but tired. Rappers should
please leave that line alone. Outside that one line, Iceberg was remarkable.
Rock steady stuck more to the theme but disappointingly with what was clearly a
freestyle verse. If he wrote that, then he should loose his hyperteck jersey.
Overall, it was cool
6) Let somebody love you ft Bridget
Kelly: 32yrs and
above please. Just skip if you started appreciating music from the Terry G,
Limpopo era. 90's R&B reborn. Wow! It was refreshing and definitely
international stuff right there.
Oh Bridget
my dear Bridget. Thank you. All I got to say to you for the quality of the
blessing you put on this track. Voice control and texture, lyrics, delivery.
Thank you. Bridge, I hope they explained to you what it meant to let somebody.
"Take You"? No be to take you out o! If you let that happen with
Innocent, there's only one possible outcome o! Juorkwaajuju o.
2face didn't
fall short at all on all parameters on this superbly produced sound.
7) Kiss of Life: Ok the lover boy is let loose.
Brilliant writing.The mature audience still having a ball on this track. Kiss
of life is that movie soundtrack that forces you to reach for your partners
hand in the cinema. This song would
touch you if you've ever had difficulty express love to a crush. Great way with
words, lovely midtempo melody. I loved it
8) Hate what you do to me. My favorite song on the album for
the following reasons. I haven't heard any song so romantically constructed
with such ruthless depth and creativity in the last 10years. Sweet Jesus, this
boy outdid himself this time. Then the hook was of the hook. Simple and Sweet.
Please tell me that was Carlos Santana on those strings that were pushing me to
the brink of sheer madness. No man or woman who has loved an imperfect person
can resist feeling this song. "When you are not here there is peace and
then, dam! I wanna share it (the peace) with you." The irony in this song
is tangible. Heavenly production. Sure winner.
9) Confessions ft Rock steady and
DammyKrane : Ok
someone call 2face back to 2014. Now he takes us to the Caribbean’s and Jamaica
when Chaka Dimus and Pliers reigned. The best for me was the hook. Don't think
this was the best song to use to show what Dammy could do. Rock Steady was more
at home here but clearly now needs a ghost writer. His strength is with his
awesome voice and melodic delivery.
I enjoyed
the memory lane jogg and I am sure many would.
10) Close to
where you are: I would have made this a bonus track. Not very striking with the
cords of interest it hits. He is however outstanding with the use of words to
paint a picture. "Its like no tracks under a train" he goes. Guess
2face has finally settled the issues about his writing contributions to plantation
boys. Outside that, the song was just there
11) International loving ftAlmarcha : Clearly for the east African market
and the francophone countries but might favorably compete with the dim
dimgbamgbam sound in Naija. Personally this was the only song I didn't give a
second listen to for the sake of its alien feel to my ears but I am sure lovers
of French creole would think me mad. Almarcha rode the beat pretty well.
Track 12(BouleyBouleyftShurwayme) and Track 13 (Diaspora Woman
ftFallyIpupa) I would gladly put in the same basket as 11 with the non
Nigerian appeal but its got proper production for whom it may concern. Sorry,
we gotta deal with it, he is no longer a local star. His market demands this
and I am proud of how at home he is with the music. Fally on point as usual
Track 14) JeJe : Ehen, where ma shrine regulars at?
Super Afro beat undying sound. This had to be Egypt 80.
Are they
still making that movie on Fela? Somebody give them a chance to have the
coolest non Fela soundtrack. Diverse dude, this 2face guy. Appropriately, spat
all the way in pidginEnglish. The harmonies were rendered by true professionals;
they sank and got mixed perfectly with the instruments. As regards the content?
2face again reminding us how much better it is to do your thing and let others
do theirs. Maintain your lane jeje.Jeje
did it for me.
15) LessePasseft Sir Victor Uwaifo. Ok under 38years of age, please sit
down abeg. This one is stuck with the brand of highlife around in the 70's. The
funk and groove that tries to make it escape to our new era of high life were
arrested by the masterfully played guitar of Sir Uwaifo. You just had to
remember the music of yesteryears. While popsie may wave his head to Wizboy, this
would awaken his spirit.
16) Ife Dinmaft Tony One week. Jolly party jam that did Tony more
good. Proof that he still in form. For 2baba, don't think the impact would be
as strong outside the East and South/South of Nigeria. And yea! A song you can
"shokie" to. The upbeat tempo and attempt to cut the vocal cord would
require full party mode to enjoy.
17) Not a surprise: An extended skit designed to remind
us that 2baba's core constituency is reggea, ragga, dance hall and all. Feels
like that "let's jubilate" filler. "The Album is done."
This is no sarcasm. The song is actually 2mins 38sec long so....
In general,
with the Ascension, I was impressed
by the fact that he retained his identity. “There are still 7thousand that
didn't bow down to Baal”. Thank you 2face for not jumping on the band wagon
with the urge to make sales by going with thetimes. Thank you for making
content a primary point of focus in making this album. Thank you for exploiting
the power of music beyond pleasure for a few months after which comes the
irreversible glide to oblivion. No wonder at below 40, you are almost 20years
old in a business where many have lasted for 8months
Great
attempt to have something for everybody but beware of the Jack of all trades.
With no fear
or favor I would give the Ascension 3 and a half stars of 5.XXXx
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