MY TOP 10 SONGS AND 3 ALBUMS OF 1ST QUARTER 2019

1. BALANCE-YCEE

2.TALK-FALZ

3.CEASE & ALAMO-ZAYTOVEN FEAT QUAVO & TAKEOFF / FINDING EFE-JOHNNY DRILLE

4.MIRROR-DREMO / VROOM VROOM VROOM-LIL PUMP

5.STICK TO THE MODELS-FUTURE

6.MAKE IT CLAP-YG & TY DOLLA $

7.AKUNA-TIMAYA

8.FVCK YOU COVER-ERRIGA

9.NO NEW FRIENDS-LSD

10.BALANCE-TIMAYA

                  BEST 3 ALBUMS

1.HARVERD DROPOUT-LIL PUMP

2.CHULO VIBES-TIMAYA

3.WIZARD-FUTURE

5 MOST INFLUENTIAL NIGERIAN HIP HOP ALBUMS

The genesis of Nigerian rap is a topic that hasn't really been addressed wholesale but i'm sure a lot of people would agree that the very first rapper in Nigeria was Junior of Junior and Pretty fame.Most only remember the hilarity of the songs he and singing partner,Pretty made and would name Eedris Abdulkareem as the first real rapper to hit the mainstream.

Thats just a pointer to how complex the topic of evolution could get.The biggest artistes at a given time may not necessarily be the ones that made the most impact on the hip hop culture.

Afro-hip hop has over time crawled,walked and ran to its rightful place as a top-tier genre in Nigerian music and these 5 albums represent its key defining moments.

L.A.G STYLE (TRYBESMEN)

As far as hip hop went in the closing years of the 90's,Eedris was on a roll as the rapping member of contemporary pop group, the Remedies.And yes,the accent was phoney and the lyrics for the most part, an assemblage of rhyming babble but he wasn't short on admirers largely due to the balance he brought the group.

When eLdee tha don,Freestyle and Kaboom burst onto the scene with the L.A.G STYLE Vol.1 album,it marked the official commencement of contemporary hip hop in Nigeria.Shake Bodi was the first true Nigerian hip hop hit.

They were spitting tight and decipherable lines (No disrespect to Eedris) with just the right touch of groove for mass appeal.If anyone in the 90's ever dreamt of a time when Nigerian hip hop artistes would phase out their foreign peers from radio,it must have been when they heard Trybesmen.

THY ALBUM COME (RUGGEDMAN)

The Trybesmen dropped a sophomore album titled Plenty Nonsense and broke up afterwards.The Remedies had broken up too and a solo Eedris Abdulkareem still somehow remained the most prominent Nigerian rapper thanks to an array of pop-culture driven hits.As long as he had a grabby and relatable chorus,it didn't matter if even he didn't understand a word of what he was saying.From a hip hop stand point,Eedris was the master of pleasant noise.

Then Micheal Ugochukwu Stephen aka Ruggedman came along with Ehen!.He aired out Eedris over his rapping skills and kick-started a wave of consciousness to purer content.For the very first time,fans were paying more attention to lyrics; the hallmark of hip hop itself.Our music industry was fast taking shape with more serious-minded record labels springing up by the day and Ruggedy Baba proved quite instrumentally with Thy Album Come that rap could could be big in Nigeria without the artiste having to worry too much about dance or groove.The album also spawned another hit titled Big Bros which saw Ruggedman taking shots at Kenny 'Keke' Ogungbe and Dayo 'D1' Adeneye,the most influential duo in the industry then and owners of Kennis Music (the label Eedris was signed to) for trying to stop presenters from playing his songs on radio.Ruggedman unarguably embedded the beef element into the Nigerian hip hop culture.

E PLURIBUS UNUM "ONE AMONGST MANY" (MODE 9)

The hip hop game had stepped up a notch to core lyricism after Ruggedman with a lot of rappers causing ripples mainly outside Lagos.The SWAT ROOT crew in Abuja comprising Mode 9,Overdose,Terry tha Rapman,6 foot Plus and a few others were quite notable.These rappers left everyone in awe of their rhyming skills but the mainstream didn't seem ready for pure content rap.It didn't help their cause that they were far away from Lagos where the real action was and as such,couldn't promote their songs where it mattered most.

Mode 9 was the biggest of the artistes and was widely regarded as the mixtape King with his last as an Abuja MC, Mode IX earning him quite a reputation in a number of places as a wordsmith of immense class.Then he met Kelvin Luciano of Question Mark records and the rest as they say is history.He dropped the critically acclaimed Pentium IX mixtape as a precursor to his debut album and when E Pluribus Unum finally came,Cry featuring Nnenna became an instant hit.It won 3 awards at the 2006 Channel O awards and that was the very first time a Nigerian hip hop artiste would cop an international accolade.

It seemed practically impossible for an out and out hip hop artiste with no conformity to the commercial demands of the Nigerian music market to hit it big before Mode 9.They going to 'keep it real' while lurking in the shadows and pretending they didn't want the money and the fame.

But Modo the Punchline King hit astronomical heights sticking to the art in its 'real' form.

On E Pluribus Unum,he flipped brilliant metaphors and punchlines,exquisite word play and excellent delivery into some really great songs.The album had much depth and was quite a departure from the monotonic theme of chest-thumping by core lyricists.We didn't just have true school rappers,they were famous and getting paid.Mode 9 laid that path.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OMOITA (CEO) (DAGRIN)

Dagrin wasn't the first indigenous rapper in the land.We had seen Lord of Ajasa and Nigga Raw become house hold names while rapping in their dialects but in somewhat similar circumstances to the evolution of 'conventional' hip hop,he changed the face of the indigenous genre with a genuine rapping ability totally devoid of pop influences.The saying rap is an art best illustrates Dagrin's style.

He single-handedly repackaged indigenous rap to suit modern hip hop trends-braggadocio,a mean swag,an endearing composition and a very authentic street vibe.Something like no one had ever seen.He had already made a name for himself before the CEO album dropped thanks to a number of stand-out features and the monster hit single, Pon Pon Pon but the CEO album offered a more elaborate view into his skill set and its sheer quality and wide acceptance meant a new dawn for indigenous rap.

The impact he made was so massive even those who didn't understand a word of yoruba listened to his songs for the verses.

TALK ABOUT IT (MI)

For contemporary Nigerian hip hop to hit heights it once did would take something drastic.The Nigerian obsession with dance and sing alongs had eventually pushed hip hop to the back ground.

Mode 9 was the last true rap success story but even at that,he wasn't really in tune with the prevalent trend in global hip hop.He was a golden era MC focused on wowing us with his lyrical abilities while the world had accepted that hip hop had become funkier.We were lagging behind and as just little time passed, rap fans wanted not only to listen to real rap songs but more ear-friendly ones.It was afro-pop boom era and it was getting harder for even the conformative rappers to win on the strength of their choruses.The minute few who did notably Naeto C,had sacrificed the respect of the hip hop community and had become more or less afro-pop artistes.Rap needed a game changer.

The consumer's taste had very well transcended the status quo.Enter the short black boy; the total package.

The recipe for Crowd Mentality was brilliant but fans needed some confirmation it wasn't a one off and when he dropped Safe,you knew a genuine trend setter had beckoned.

He was on everyone's lips till the Talk About It album dropped which sold a record 30,000 copies in its first 30 minutes of release.He had above anything else,a great musical mind.

MI not only had an extraordinary lyrical ability matched by an inch-perfect delivery for whatever he was on,he understood the other extra ingredients for a great song.Never had rap sounded so good and never had non-hip hop fans loved an artiste from that genre so much.

The game had officially changed.It wasn't just enough to have skill,how it was utilized mattered.

WHAT ARE LAWYERS DOING TO CHECK THE EXCESSES OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE?

Segun Awosanya more popularly known as 'Segalink' is a social media personality that has over time come to be known as the 'official' liaison between the police and the common man.In campaigning rigourously against the inhuman treatment meted out to helpless Nigerians by the very police force supposed to be protecting them,he has mobilized Nigerians both on social media and off it to protest against the Nigerian police.

The Police in an expected bid to salvage its image, had a sit-down with Sega and his fellow gladiators where it blamed the 'few bad eggs' in the force for the ill-treatment of Nigerians.As an outcome,police helplines were made public via which oppressed persons could report incidents of extortion,brutality and victimization.

As of today,Segalink is beseiged daily by numerous calls for help on his twitter page and has resolved countless cases of extortion or wrongful arrest by reaching out directly to the Police.

Segun Awosanya is not a lawyer but he has stuck his neck out for justice and due process more than any lawyer in Nigeria.

It is shameful that the man has devoted massive time and money to fighting a grave societal ill which threatens the very foundation upon which our democracy stands while the Nigerian Bar Association which has "promotion and protection of the principles of the rule of law and respect for enforcement of fundamental rights, human rights and people’s rights" as one of its foremost objectives has done nothing other than 'condemn and criticize' occasionally.In most cases,only when one of its members falls victim.

If oppression of Nigerians by members of the police force is not enough to spur Nigerian lawyers into action then i wonder what would.

As it is,the integrity of the legal profession in Nigeria is in shambles.Our anti-graft agencies claim unrefutedly,that the Chief Justice of Nigeria had about a billion naira stashed in his bank accounts at some point and the bar President is being tried for corruption by the EFCC.The NBA's response was to declare the EFCC a 'third party' with no 'locus standi' in a matter where he is alleged to have received illegal money instead of urging him in the interest of transparency and accountability to clear his name under the exception to attorney-client privilege in the Rules of Professional Conduct.

It was agonizing to watch the leaders of the bar assemble to interprete the law in a way even a first year student wouldn't.Much good isn't expected of the NBA.But thankfully,the NBA never was and never will be a one,two or three man show.It is a body of Nigerian lawyers and as such,we owe it to ourselves and the society at large to ensure that the excesses of Nigerian police officers are checked.

The many calls for police reform hasn't yielded the desired result and it behoves on us to chart a new course.One in which the NBA will play a very critical role.About 90% of the videos of police men infringing on the rights of helpless Nigerians emanate from Lagos state and the 5 branches of the NBA there should as a matter of paramount importance,set up committees to institute pro bono actions against the police on behalf of victims.Lawyers cannot be silent while the issue of incessant human rights abuse is front-burner.

Considering the problems encountered in enforcing monetary judgements against the police particularly ones posed by the current situation where all security agencies have their money in the Treasury Single Account and Section 84 of the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act which stipulates that the AGF must approve judgement sums before they are paid,these cases are better prosecuted by the NBA as a unit.Why?.Because there is a much better chance of attracting the attention of the public to a refusal to comply via the media and protests.No sensible government would want the citizenry revolting against it for promoting oppression by law enforcement agents.

The best way to make the police put its house in order is to make it start to lose money to its victims or at the very least,know its excesses have a direct effect on public perception on government as a whole.

The National NBA in addition to urging all branches across the federation to set up pro bono committees for victims of human rights abuses by law enforcement agents,must also ensure it has a sit-down with the Attorney-General of the Federation regarding enforcement of judgement sums.

Nigerian lawyers cannot afford to sit and watch lethargically while the whole country bemoans the excesses of the police.We must act now.

TOP 3: THE VERY BEST AND WORST OF KIZZ DANIEL'S FVCK YOU CHALLENGE

Hurricane Fvck You Challenge appears to have subsided after ripping through the industry for 3 weeks straight.Kizz Daniel's Fvck You has without an iota of doubt,over-taken Olamide's Who U Epp to become the most refixed nigerian song ever.Its easier to count who didn't have a version than who did.

A 'Women are Scum' narrative certainly isn't new to us but Vado's wittiness amidst a quite absorbing rhythm on a stellar Young John beat make Fvck You a quite extraordinary song.While some artistes derived their inspiration from the 'Fvck you' tag next to the names of numerous industry big weights,others were by the philandering lover theme.

Lets start with the best 3.

ERRIGA

The Warri-born pidgin lyricist syncs brilliant expression with intense emotion so well his Fvck You cover couldn't have turned out any nicer.His lines are scathing and depict a very natural frustration.

The curse-laden verse is very excellently delivered and he caps it off in some style by doing a little singing.How is this for humour-"I pray dem use all ur pant/If e no reach benz/Make dem use am buy booze".Dope.

SEYI SHAY

Mzz Shay's was the most controversial before Victoria Kimani dropped hers.The line 'You know i'm not Savage,i dey pay my bills' appears more than anything a shot at her arch-rival,Tiwa Savage and her former husband and manager,T-Billz.

But also worthy of note is the fact that Seyi Shay added the best twist to Kizz Daniel's chorus, by including a 'Not You' category to her Fvck You list on the chorus.Having come after the 'Tiwa' line,there is a strong urge to feel she truly means it when she says "Wizzy Fvck You,Teni Fvck You,Simi not You".

LADIPOE

The Mavin records rapper played 2 cheating and aggrieved lovers on his version and he was brilliant with the back and forth.With a fabulous concept and some sublime rapping skills,his Fvck You cover ranks among the very best.

THE WORST 3

VICTORIA KIMANI

Memo to all singers who can't sing: learn from Victoria Kimani.Work on getting a gorgeous body,flaunt it whenever you have to and be as controversial as possible on your worst day.

Hers is by some distance the worst but tasteless and nauseating as her rendition may be,it had everyone buzzing because she referred to Tiwa Savage as a '45 year old grandma' calling herself an 'african bad gyal' and 'selling p***y'.And before those lines,she had accused Ycee of lifting her lyrics without giving her credit; the 'too much juice,too much sauce' phrase to be precise.The Kenyan singer's is the most controversial Fvck You cover hands down but also the least impressive.

CKAY

Kimani's former label mate was also disappointing with his version.Listening to a guy tell a flirty ex- she should be a rich b***h and ashamed for not having a house or a car felt a little off.Whats more?.He titles his 'Fork You' with nothing to suggest why he does so in his verse.

SKIIBII

A lot of people would say Kizz Daniel's Fvck You is the number one song in the country right now but the truth is it is more an industry hit.Skiibii's Sensima still hasn't been upturned as the bonafide number one song in Nigeria and his Fvck You cover was bound to get a lot of attention but regrettably,it falls below expectations.You are totally put off by a verse lacking in imagination by the time he resorts to key parts of the original version to sign off.Skiibii certainly wasn't at his creative best.

SPECIAL MENTION

An instagram musicomedian by the name Taofeek more popularly known by the handle twyse_116 made a hilarious version of Vado's song and on it,says the very blunt truth; the Fvck You challenge is nothing more than grown men coming together to 'Yen Yen Yen' about who and who their girlfriends slept with.

DEAR MR PRESIDENT: 2 NEW DESCRIPTIONS OF YOUR ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR AND A TOXICITY THAT CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASIZED

Dear Mr President,

To protect the supremacy of the rule of law,you had us fighting for a former National Security Adviser,who is alleged to have shared money meant to arm our troops among his cronies while insurgents killed and maimed innocent Nigerians.By the time an Ibo separatist with a penchant for using strong language against other tribes named Nnamdi Kanu was finally released on bail after several court orders to that effect,he was dubbed a 'hero' and had state governors scrambling to take pictures with him.

A Chief Justice of Nigeria having up to a billion naira in cash at some point would ordinarily be condemned to the pits of hell in the court of public opinion but instead, he sat back and watched a massive outcry by Nigerians against his unconstitutional removal from office.

You,President Muhammadu Buhari are quite toxic.Probably the most toxic we have ever had.In standing up for what is right,you have had Nigerians fighting the cause of their own enemies.How bad can things get?.

I am sure you must have heard the words 'selective' and 'hypocritical' used severally over the last 4 years to describe your anti-corruption crusade.Those words were mainly used to describe a campaign which seemed to focus more on crippling vibrant members of the opposition and those of the APC whom you either fell out with or bore grudges against.But happenings over time have given rise to another set of words-'Cowardly' and 'dubious'.

Silence or refusal to address pressing issues gives rise to conspiracy theories and when that happens,people choose and stick with the narrative they feel is nearest to the truth.Right now,Mr President it is practically impossible to shoot down claims you are scared of prosecuting Lawal Daura,the former head of the DSS and Sani Baba-Inna,the arrested aide de camp of your wife,Hajiya Aisha Buhari.

Lawal Daura as boss of the DSS is said to have done a lot of dirty jobs for the Presidency and had his agents at the houses of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and deputy Senate President,Ike Ekweremadu weeks before the closure of the National Assembly by the DSS.No one in the Presidency reprimanded Mr Daura for his actions.Or did the President not know?.Well,the unofficial narrative is that he was working for Saraki.

Baba-Inna on the other hand is accused of defrauding people in the name of the first lady to the tune of N2.5bn.Family members claim he did take money but it was from a stash he was keeping for Aisha Buhari and that he had already bought a house for one of her daughters in Maitama.Baba-Inna is believed to be in trouble now only because he got too greedy.

The problem Mr President isn't only that you may be scared of taking these people to court because of the highly incriminating evidence they may produce against you or your wife,it is also that we may find ourselves clamouring for their release if they aren't charged to court.A video of Baba-Inna's wife crying with her kids is guaranteed to kickstart a movement in that regard.

No better situation justifies more the 'dubious' appellation of your war against corruption than that of former petroleum minister,Deziani Allison-Madueke.Like most Nigerians,this woman called on the Federal Government to allow her return home and answer to the charges against her.But of course,the EFCC insisted then that a trial in the UK was imminent.

Mr President,about 2 years later,Deziani Madueke is yet to face trial in the UK or Nigeria.The EFCC Chairman told Nigerians there were ongoing plans to extradite her in October 2017 and repeated those same words a year and a month later in November 2018.The woman was pictured strolling on the streets of London months ago.Why don't you want to bring her back?.There is something no one is telling us and we'll have to figure it out ourselves.

Mr President,the more reason why the Deziani situation appears dubious is that the UK government promised to charge her to court and that is not in doubt.But they back-tracked and kept mute ever since while Ibrahim Magu has been giving us the same story.If anyone says you entered a deal for her to be let off the hook in the UK where nobody is ordinarily above the law and send Magu to decieve us with the same line always,how would you counter that?.

Then there is of course the case of Patience Jonathan,whose properties and monies are being seized without the EFCC as much as inviting her for questioning.If that same person says her husband sent former Presidents and other emmisaries to negotiate an immunity deal for them that involved some benefits going your way,what answer would you give?.

Consider this sir.The Jonathans were never a target till Dame Patience 'stubbornly' came out to claim monies found in the names of her aides.Instead of the woman running off to another country or seeking penance for disrupting a scapegoat manufacturing process,she sued the EFCC.She had to have grown those balls from knowing deep down she was untouchable.

Need i also remind you that you promised Nigerians you were going to prosecute every corrupt person when you were sworn in and never hinted about a plea bargain deal for anyone.

I would have categorized under dubious too the EFCC's investigation of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state but hypocritical is more fitting.Moreso after you told Kadaria Ahmed at your appearance on the NGcandidates before the elections that you 'didn't know the technology used'.Fayose and others definitely don't enjoy the special privilege of being exonerated by the commander-in-chief himself.You had already investigated Governor Ganduje and had an outcome.The least you can do is prevent the EFCC from wasting precious taxpayer's money in the name of sending videos overseas to foreign experts.Well,not that anyone truly thinks the EFCC independent.The Chairman appeared on live tv with a 'Sai Buhari' 2019 lapel pin on his suit.That and how you have stuck with him despite his indictment on corruption by the DSS would make just about anyone on the EFCC's radar appear a victim.You sir,are quite toxic.
     
                                                                                                                                            Best Regards
                                                                                                                                 A Concerned Citizen

                                                                                                                                                

                                   

STEEL AND COPPER EP REVIEW: BURNA BOY WON'T CRACK THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET WITH THIS QUALITY

There are 2 different perspectives to Burna boy's joint EP with american production duo,DJDS.First is from the angle that this is a nigerian artiste whose international record label acknowledges his potential enough to hand him a clean shot at the global market.The second perspective is from the view point that african artistes have over time come to be respected by the international music community.As a matter of fact,so much so that no one would get any marks for trying.They either kill it outright or they don't.

Burna boy has done well especially over the last 2 years to earn whatever is coming his way.With a Coachella appearance scheduled for April and the recent buzz he is getting off dating super star singer/rapper,Steflon Don bound to have a lot more people interested in him,Atlantic records moved swiftly and smartly too by having him release a suprise EP with Los Angeles based DJ and production duo and labelmates,DJDS.

Weighing the Steel and Copper EP from the perspective of an african artiste being trusted enough to be given an opportunity to record an entire body of work for the international market,Burna boy deserves a lot of credit.He adjusts finely to suit Atlantic's artistic expectations by stretching his versatility past ragga to mumble rap.

Not that Burna boy was the first to do it,Wizkid's Sounds From The Other Side on Sony/RCA was Nigeria's first true international album but when we say 'the time is now',a project with no african touch in even the minutest form best befits that phrase.

From the perspective of our music having come of age and having an industry where the accomplishments of our artistes over the last few years have broadened the parameters for musical excellence to phenomenal proportions,the Steel and Copper EP is nothing past the ordinary.

Four good songs but not good enough to leave a serious dent on the pysche of the average listener elsewhere.

It cannot be over-emphasized that this project was not made only for Africa,it was meant to appeal to the global audience.

Separating the man,our love for him and his accomplishments from the music on display,only Thuggin would get a couple more plays after a first listen.We would cheer all day and laud the range of his versatility like no tomorrow if Burna boy pops up rapping but he doesn't enjoy that luxury on a stage where his impression is at make or mar levels.You get to hear him enthrall you with the 'Get the Memo' chorus on 34 but only if you are patient enough to stick through some chucklesome mumble rap verses.The world is what he is playing for mind you.The delivery on Innocent Man is decent but then the effort he is putting into it is very glaring.Its too obvious rap isn't a comfort zone.

Darko all but sums off the fact that Burna wasn't at his creative best.Ragga is one of the several elements to his afro-fusion sound and on what was supposed to be home turf and considering what was at stake,he doesn't go for the spectacular.

In Heaven's Gate and the lesser noted Streets Of Africa from his classic Outside album,he made songs of very appreciable international quality.His ability to conquer the world was not in doubt.

Perhaps due to an impromptu arrangement by Atlantic to help boost his stock or maybe due to a distraction in the form of Steflon Don,Burna boy doesn't quite meet his set standards on Steel and Copper.

HOW THE SHAKU SHAKU 3 HAVE FARED AFTER ONE YEAR

No one can say where exactly on Lagos Mainland is the home of Shaku Shaku but what we do know is that it has evolved over time to world wide acclaim and that is thanks to 3 men who are credited as its pioneers in the Nigerian music industry.Those 3 men are-Slimcase,Idowest and Mr Real.

By the time DJ Sidez's Oshozondi with Slimcase got popping in the later stages of 2017 and Idowest and Mr Real followed suit with Omo Shepeteri and Legbegbe respectively,Shaku Shaku had gone beyond a dance to a distinguishable sound.Those really were curious times.Like most dances,the Shaku Shaku was bound to fade away after a while but as a genre fashioned out after just 3 songs and one just about everyone from Wizkid to D'banj wanted in on,no one could say with certainty what time frame we were looking at.The creativity of our artistes could ensure the Shaku Shaku sound is spawn into various styles, consequently becoming a permanent fixture in our music or it could get so over-flogged in the usual Nigerian bandwagon manner,we would get tired of it in months.

So far the Shaku Shaku as a sound has not grown rapidly but it also hasn't been phased out over a year and a half since it was introduced to us.

Lets see how its 3 initiators have fared.

SLIMCASE

Its ironic how the biggest of the Shaku Shaku 3 is the only one with no hit song to his name.He understood on time just how much the fans loved his signature slurred speech and proceeded quite shrewdly,to make it the mainstay of the Slimcase brand.He works really hard to fuse a little new element or two every now and then to keep it fresh-skits,incantations and slangs.

Otunba Lamba is featured by the very big artistes because he has a very distinctive style that is quite appealing.That above every other thing,guarantees him more staying power than his other 2 comrades and also buys him ample time to make a bonafide hit of his own.From DJ Sidez's Oshozondi till this very moment,every song Slimcase is noted for is owned by another artiste-DJ Enimoney's Diet with Tiwa Savage and Reminisce and Wizkid's Gucci Snake.

He released Bend Down when he had us all looking forward to Otunba Lamba and the very little attention it got helped him avoid questions on who really was on that song because it sounded nothing like Slimcase.Otunba Lamba finally came and it fell below the expectations set for it.The phrase is still noted more for its use in his real life ad-libs than for being a song.

Another edge Slimcase has had over Mr Real and Idowest is a superior understanding of the biz in showbiz.The dismal performance of Otunba Lamba meant a little something extra needed to be done and he got an all star cast for his latest single which tries to push forth a new slang-Azaman.

Also,a look at his Instagram page will have you thinking you were the only one who didn't know every song he was promoting at any point in time was a massive hit.He reposts tonnes of dance videos and gets celebrities to jump on the vibe.

Slimcase is not only the biggest of the Shaku Shaku 3,he has the brightest prospects.

IDOWEST

At some point it seemed Idowest Awan Mafia was the only one of the 3 pioneers going to be left behind.Slimcase had become the official rave of the moment after DJ Enimoney's Diet and Mr Real had signed a Sony deal.Both were by far more active in the spotlight-granting interviews and doing more collaborations.

But then some time in May last year,Davido signed Idowest to DMW.OBO spoils his artistes silly no doubt but what it predominantly entailed was that a reclusive artiste not too keen on publicity was guaranteed a platform to showcase his talent in the mainstream rather than getting shoved aside after an average song or two and struggling to reintroduce himself afterwards.

But there were some fears that have proven justified.DMW had 4 big names including Davido himself and it was doubtful Idowest would get the same time and resources to help advance his career.So far,he appears to be in the shadows of OBO,Mayourkun,Peruzzi and even Dremo.He is still yet to feature on any DMW single and his first single,Ji Masun featuring Davido was largely under-whelming.

He tries to replicate his Shaku Shaku heroics on Who but it hasn't turned out too good.By and large,Idowest has been not only the least active of the Shaku Shaku 3 but also the least impressive.

MR REAL

Mr Real may not have the distinctive quality of Slimcase or the love and attention he commands but he has made the best songs so far.You would want to tag him the most talented of the trio if you remember his Legbegbe is widely adjudged the best ever Shaku Shaku song.

Late last year,the Sony music act after quite a wait,dropped the Shaku Shaku inspired Zzz featuring Falz,a catchy tune currently enjoying an above decent radio play.Its release went largely unnoticed and the little buzz it has generated is a pointer to the fact that Mr Real could do with better promotion.

His Valentine release, Antidote speaks to versatility; an edge he has over Slimcase and Idowest.Mr Real goes full blown pop on the groovy love jam and he does so fabulously well.

He has had the best songs but what he really needs to do is to find a way of drawing attention to them and ultimately,himself.He has done more features than any of the other two but he badly needs to get on some high profile ones.

Throwing a birthday party that also served as the official premiere of the Legbegbe remix with Niniola and South African producers DJ Maphorisa and DJ Catzico was a nice touch and it would help to forge in that direction.

The most disappointing of the 3 is better strategically placed to conquer the Nigerian market while the biggest is noted for everything other than the quality of his songs.The best needs to find a way to make us notice him.Some set of fortunes for the Shaku Shaku 3.