Beyond being a source of entertainment, a tool for fighting pains and depression, and a language to express emotions, music is a form of art that is powerful enough to cause mood swings as well as reshape one’s perception of life. At some points in the country, musicians used music as the collective voice of the masses to fighting against unfriendly governmental policies while still debating issues that surround manners, morals, governance etc. with a view to promoting love, peace, unity, hardwork, diligence, uprightness and other positive values needed to building a just society.
In Nigeria, my view is that most hip-hop songs can be categorized as noise rather than music. But then, what is noise for one person can be music for another. After all, variety is the spice of life. However, one of the musicians whose songs would never be categorized under the former is ASAKE. Asake’s songs are not only culturally inclined, laced with loving lyrics/lines but also the instrumentals and the rythm are entertaining and rich, say ‘Fela-ic’ in nature. Have you listened to ‘Omo ope, dull, Ototo? Which have you listened to?
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Asake possesses indescribable imaginative skill which is evident in his innovative ( but invocative) songs(scripts) that are subtly but beautifully delivered (rendered) in a such outstanding creative manner that is pleasant to listeners’/fans’ ears. Obviously, an exploration of his songs reveals that he desires to grow a community of brilliant entertained listeners with good character that are poised to making impact in life, energised by his songs. Have you listened to ‘Omo ope, muse, Palazzo? Which have you listened to? Do you have favourites? As much as some would want to query the use of vulgar words (slang) in some of his songs, or the extremity of costumes in some videos, it perhaps should be considered as a way to taking a balance while striving to bring home the ‘lost sheep’ in the society for music is a universal language.
Unarguably, Asake (One who is chosen to be pampered) is a distinct musicians like one of my favourites, JD and since 2020 has been enjoying greatly, amazing show of love from fans within and outside the country largely because of his unusual work rate and especially the professionalism he infuses in his songs. This is because his music sounds unfamiliar, yet loveable. (By the way what again is the meaning of ‘Nzozo’?) In fact for me, Asake’s genre of music sounds like a modernized Fuji (he speaks Saheed Osupa, Kwam 1 and sometimes like Baba Baraka (Paso)) uplifting Yoruba language with his use of ‘hip-hoplized’ proverbs, phrases, etc. without denying the foreign fans access to good melodic music by inserting pidgin English and slang to further drive home his points. Such is the case of one of his recent songs, 2:30. Have you listened to 2:30?
If I’m allowed, 2:30 is entirely a perfect piece; a blend of piano, drums, beautifully weaved and audibly delivered lyrics that are message centered. Call it a masterpiece! The opening instrumental is unique, powerful as it prepares the mind and places the soul comfortably. Indeed, ‘Ololade, Omo Asake’ is like ‘Aso-ebi’ in our country.
In 2:30, Asake talks about the need not to be self-centered just like the Yoruba aphorism, ‘Enikan kije meji laba Alade’. He subtly reminds us that societies have become so debased because of selfish reasons and would demand us all to ‘stop sebe’ if truly we desire a better society. He notes that we will continue to fail if we keep running a self-centered and selfish world and that only God brings success (only ‘Orimolade’ can ‘gbemi debe’).
In his 2 minutes 30 seconds’ 2:30, Asake ascertains that time waits for no one and clamours that procrastination is dangerous. In order words, he sends a message to leaders and everyone that a stitch in time saves nine.
While reiterating that truly we never saw him coming, he says ‘abinibi yato si ability’ and other likes which again reflect his deep understanding and mastery of both Yoruba and Pidgin languages. The song preaches peace and love when he says that though life is wicked, all it needs is ‘formation’, not fights. Indeed, isn’t that what our world needs, now that war litters everywhere? Do you also like the the instrumentals played towards the end of the song? Go add 2:30 to your playlist.
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THE REVIEWER
Busayo Fakunle is a Diction coach, poet, publisher, book/song reviewer, English language tutor, an editor, author of children’s literary texts. He is a Fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency, at Iseyin and the current Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo state chapter.
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