Ladies and gentlemen, we are in treacherous times. Nigeria is in a mess economically, and there is no indication of positive change anytime soon. Money is difficult to come by, and inflation is reducing the purchasing power of a lot of people.
Like Aros said in the opening track of this tape, “it’s too hard.” Jiggy YB attempts to document these harsh realities on his debut album.
Leading the charge behind the board, Jiggy YB enlists a number of highly regarded and gifted up-and-coming performers to help him accomplish his goal.
The album is a hip-hop album that explores a range of subgenres, including trap and drill, as well as afro-swing and afropop.
The tape opens with a situation report by Aros that details the situation. The report cuts across the economic realities of Nigerians as well as the emotional realities of Abuja ladies.
He gives props to Kai Havertz for rediscovering his goal-scoring form, which made him a highly sought-after talent while he was at Leverkusen.
It welcomes the listener to the project and provides an overview of what they should expect from it.
The project kicks off properly with Southside Saint on the record ‘Gang’. He goes after his opps spitting bars and brags, bigging up his members in the process. He showcases his smooth flows and sharp lyricism.
However, the record is a forgettable one. The hook is bare, and the record is flat. There aren’t enough melodies to excite the listener.
The excitement levels are notably increased when PsychoYP opens the record ‘BNB’. He employs his trademark westernised delivery, laced with lines that revel in his affluence and wealth.
Begho and Lobi combine smoothly on Jiggy’s soft-kicking Drill beat, delivering pop melodies over a Drill record.
KVV and Tomi Obanure are beginning to form a lethal combination. Their chemistry carries this record, as Champ’s verse fails to land the reverberating punch that was expected.
The chemistry between Kvv and Tomi Obanure is also evident in Yorkk and Marv’s OTM songs “Ghetto Baby” and “Area Father,” where Bigshyrobot, Bolaryn, and Eeskay work well together.
The Jack Harlow sample on ‘Area Father’ is brilliant.
Tomi Obanure delivers the best verse of the album on ‘Fresh like Z remix’.
While the album is built on hip-hop, there is an intentional use of pop melodies and flows in a bid to connect with the mass market.
It is important to note that the album title does not connect with the music on the album.
Bar the opening record, nothing on this album suggests that times are hard. In fact, it suggests the opposite. Because if we are in treacherous times, why is PsychoYP purchasing a brand new bird during lockdown?
Topically, the album doesn’t retain a dominant theme. It’s a failed attempt at documenting the current Nigerian economic realities.
At twenty-two minutes, the album is an impressive listen. The featured artists showcase great synergy within themselves.
Jiggy gives his collaborators the platform to express themselves, employing a minimalist approach to production and curating an enjoyable album with great replay value.
Rating: /10
• 0-1.9: Trash
• 2.0-3.9: Flop
• 4.0–5.9: Average
• 6.0–7.9: Decent
• 8.0-10: Champion
Ratings /10.
Album Sequencing: 1.4/2
Songwriting and Topics: 1.2/2
Production: 1.4/2
Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.4/2
Execution: 1.3/2
Total: 6.7-Decent
