Compilation albums are often a hit or miss affair, especially when you are not just putting together different artistes but actually different genres. You have to either get the flow and direction right or compensate by keeping things as short as possible.
The third volume of the YadaMag Music Project went out on a limb and opted for 33 songs, with almost as many artistes coming together to give a 2 – disc project that did a pretty decent job in representing the Christian music scene in Nigeria currently.
The organic feel on most of the songs was a welcome break from industry peddled gimmick tracks the radio would have you listen to these days. The earthy ambience gave a platform to some already established acts while introducing lesser known names such as CMJ and Fidel Ochefu.
With of course a heavy Lagos presence on the project it was good to hear much more northern influenced sounds from the ilk of ChrystRydaz, Steve Willis and Fizzikal. The legendary Rapsodee’s classic hip hop anthem “Fundamental” was not left out and it was not even the highlight of the album. To have Nosa’s “Always on My Mind” and Edword’s “Ifeloju” on a project that is absolutely free seems too surreal for the ears and the heart.
Snatcha, Sokleva, C.I.A, eMJOY, and Nolly brought worthy contributions but the Protek/ Okey Sokay collab on the reworked “Ayaya” is perhaps the prime example of why this compilation should be a companion. Not wanting to be left out the [...]
The year 2014 has come and gone and what a year it’s been especially for the CHH genre. Yes, the “I’m a Christian who raps” vs. “Christian Rapper” debate still rages on but we’ve seen the quality and even the frequency of projects put out cranked up.
In a year that saw the entire hip hop culture challenged to speak more to social issues we saw the CHH genre offer up more albums aiming to do just that. Kudos to the rappers for reaching out and trying to make more than just “church music”, the genre grows daily.
This year’s list of top albums was a pretty tough one to come up with but each project was considered based on its relevance, originality, concept or content as well as production.
Of course, as with almost all Top 5 lists there will be expressions of dissension ranging from wry smiles and head shakes in disagreement to proper aneurysms. Worry not, at Yada we’ve created a way for you to get in on the conversation with your recommendations or queries. Simply tweet at us with the hashtag #2014CHHTop5 or reach us on the various other social media platforms with your list.
I hope this little suggestion keeps those of you hatching kidnap plots pacified for now, at least.
Sinema – SwoopeCONTINUE READING
By Peter Akinnusi
There is a massive difference between crafting good music and making hits. We are tragically firmly stuck in an era where the gap between the two is wider than ever and keeps increasing with the latter more obtainable than the former too easily. Trip Lee did say with his fifth studio album Rise the aim was to make good music while changing the world with every second of every song on the project. That may be an unrealistic target but he did pretty well to come close. Trip’s hiatus perhaps shocked most of us but his return indicates he didn’t miss a beat (pardon the pun) at all. The Rise concept is a simple one as the aim is elevating from one’s current state, being raised from the dead as it were to vibrant life. Great care was taken not to stifle his voice with excessive features but rather to create a supporting all star cast that helped complement Trip’s skills as a rapper and musician.
The first thing that struck me about Rise was the fact that the songs could effortlessly form the soundtrack for one of the recent dystopian movies we’ve seen like Transcendence or The Hunger Games not just sonically but thematically too. The album’s title song/intro could just as well have been done with assistance from artistes as varied as Kanye, Gungor or Ellie Goulding providing the first obvious nod to musicality the listener experiences on the album. Then a look at [...]
by Peter Akinnusi
The honest truth is being the first to go to a new place can be really scary. Yes, the possibilities are endless and exciting but there’s also the slight chance you could encounter something you were really never prepared for. I’m sure this is a sentiment Lecrae can relate to. Literally the poster boy for a genre that he recognises as what gave him a voice and platform and at the same time a label that places some level of stigma on him he has blazed trails like no one else before him did. You could be forgiven for thinking that this album was based on label mate KB’s song “Anomaly” from the Weight and Glory album but his seven album journey has brought him to a place where he declares that “the system didn’t plan for this” and just like the albums Rebel, Rehab and Gravity all pointed to a contrast with popular culture Anomaly is yet another Lecrae project pointing to a different way.
Boasting production from heavyweights such as Gawvi (formerly G-styles) and Alex Medina as well as strong features from artistes as diverse as Kari Jobe and Andy Mineo, Anomaly is a good album from the sonic standpoint. At some points a few of the beats sound like leftovers from Tedashii’s Below Paradise or carryovers from Gravity nevertheless Lecrae’s ability to mix up his often reflective and good flow over [...]
