The Urban Retro Playlist

One of the ones I really liked was LOS at least before they split. They still work together anyway, but there was something about when they were a unit. They had infused the following genres in their music; R&B Rap, Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Pop among other genres. 

They were one of the actual diverse Nigerian new school sounds in my own opinion. Most of their songs were really progressive, more on the up beat side, dance-able and general enjoyable.

Though I've not kept tabs on then like I used to I still listen to their songs from time to time, from their group days and the ones they did or featured individually. So I decided to make a playlist with a couple of their songs and others they've been on, I hope you enjoy them.

Magic featuring Shank - LOS

On Fire - LOS

Bad Guy P - LOS

Pamparampe - LOS

Fly Away featuring Ozzy B - LOS

Suka Music - Tomi Thomas

Homeless Romantic featuring - Skweird 

Mary Anne featuring Tomi Thomas

Two Sipping featuring Tay, Bridge - Ozzy B

Shake It For Daddy - Zamir and Bridge

All Over Me featuring Ozzy B, Tomi Thomas - GMK

Flash forward two years later I listened to the B4DA$$ (Before the cash, which is cleverly written to look like Bad Ass as well). The first track to be precise, then I hear the same verse it bright back so many memories (the album is also really lit by the way). 

The song sampled Azar Lawrence's Moving People which you hear audibly at several intervals. All through the track Joey Badass maintained this some what old school flow and his verses were fill with killer wordplay, diverse but congruous  rhyme patters and several entendres. The track had an aged tone to it and Joey was pretty laid back on it, maybe it's how it's voice sound but it's like the tempo was really slow it was just right. This tape revived the hip hop for me.

There was now compere at the reception of the event, so I wasn't able to catch their name. I forgot to mention it was a traditional event, a Yoruba one to be precise so I'll leave you to imagine the vibes that was in the atmosphere. There were a number of Yoruba classics the band played but to my focus the current songs the covered. I'll briefly talk about the ones they did and some they should have done.

They Performed: 

Godwin: Arguable the biggest hit from last year in Nigeria performed originally by Korede Bello. The song is very elaborate, fitting the occasion, different members of the audience could easily dance to it Including the more conservative portion of the crowd a very nice pick by the band. The only problems were the instruments they used weren't in anyway similar to the original song and it was kinda off tempo.

Eleda Mi : Another big hit as expected by Olamide from 2014 also quiet elaborate. As the song in itself talks about prosperity and success somethings that is celebrated at that moment and would be a cause for more celebration. Perfect for the occasion again because it's in Yoruba , albeit on the slower side still a very good pick as the crowd could easily sing along to it 

Reggae Blues: Also one of the biggest songs from 2015 by originally Harry Songz featuring a Star studded group of artists. In my opinion I don't think it was the best song to perform, but what do I know. Though it got a decent amount of people to sing along and move around. It wasn't also the best for them to perform because after Olamides verse they attempted performing the next verse which they found pretty difficult and had to iterate the chorus severally. So I think was a bad pick.

Should Have Tried: 

Daddy Mi: Originally by Reminice featuring Davido. Firstly because it's Yoruba and it has that progressive up beat vibe which would fit the occasion. Also, because it's also about progression, projected success and things in harmony with the celebration of life and achievement.  

Iwaju: This is actually one of B-Red's bests songs though he sounded a lot like Davido in it. I think the song is pretty slept on any way I imagine it being easy and straight for to take on live. For it being congruous with the occasion the meaning of Iwaju in English is forward, so need I say more?

In conclusion, all in all it was a pretty decent performance and they did some good oldies just before I left and it seemed to getting even more lit at that time. By the way I took the photo from the event.

I've never actually done or snag at an actual karaoke setting, but I have a good idea of how it goes down. It's pretty much a sing along with whatever song comes up with the lyrics projected making you focus on the melody and pace of the song.

Anyway, I found out a while ago that there's a Karaoke bar somewhere in the island (Victoria Island, Lagos) so I began to wonder if they would actually play Nigerian songs a lot. Then I just came up with some songs I would like to do Karaoke to or would just fit the whole vibe.

Strong Thing - Banky W

Beautiful Onyinye - P-Square

Gongo Aso - 9ice

Fire On The Mountain - Asá 

Oleku - Ice Prince

Why Me - D'Banj

Lagos Party - Banky W

Right Now - Seyi Shay

Jungle Fever - Brymo

Olulufe - Wande Cole 

Olufunmi - Styl Plus

Safe - M.I

Jaiye Jaiye - Wiz Kid

Tonight - Burna Boy

I expected similar work to Sail Out, I mean the Juxtaposition is inevitable as she worked with a number of rappers on that project. I projected it would have a more urban hip hop, contemporary R&B vibe as opposed to her focusing on Soul like she did on Souled Out. Also, she seems to easily find/have chemistry with rappers, in fact I did a playlist with songs she worked with other rappers here.

In they project both parties were in relationships not necessarily entirely with each other. Through the project they went along the line of progressive, sensual, harmonic, border line up beat and laid back vibes amongst others that didn't mention. Frequently their choruses were in harmony (In the sense that it was congruous and they sang at the same time).

Specifically these two songs I immediately developed a penchant for 2Minute Warning and Talk Show.  Well 2 Minute Warning because of the way Big Sean took on the first verse, wooo it was just too lit I replayed the song a couple times just before it. Then Talk Show because of its theatrics, I could easily visualize the happenings from what they were saying. It was like one of those scenes from Black-ish ( It's a Tv show, it's really hilarious) where the Grandparents get into a disagreement and what not and a less angry version of Jerry Springer as well. Big Sean's verse was also A1 here, he was defending himself and his actions while rapping  and he used some really crazy entendres, metaphors and punch lines as the song progressed.
 In conclusion I'll say it's really good, obviously proper production work was done (the kick from Sail Out that I love so much were rampant) and if you enjoyed Sail Out you will probably enjoy this as well so I recommend you listen to it.