#BlueTunes: FireboyDML, M.I. Abaga, Native World Top Album Picks For August 

August was a good month for music lovers, with Beyonce’s Renaissance dominating the airwaves. However, on this side of the world, Nigerian artists continued to redefine what we think Afrobeats is. These are our top three albums of the month.

Playboy – Fireboy DML 

Fireboy has shown us over and over again that he is an artist that can blend into all kinds of music genres. He has also given us a taste of consistency, with this being his 3rd Album since he came into the limelight three years ago. He hit different landmarks this year, and he is the first Afrobeats artist to perform on an awards mainstage.

I won’t say it is his best album, but compared to the other two, “Love, Tears and Goosebumps” and “Apollo.” It is a solid project, and many songs have replay value.

He featured talented artists who brought the rhythm and vibes that blended perfectly with Fireboy’s vocals. Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown, Shenseea, Asake, Rema, and Euro are on the album.

“Peru” and “Peru Remix” with Ed Sheeran were the top songs of 2021. 

“Peru” established itself in the Nigerian consciousness. It played everywhere, and its lyrics brought about the Twitter war of whether or not it was “I’m in San Francisco, Germany” or “I’m in San Francisco Jamming.”  

“Bandana” features his fellow label mate, Asake, who talks about his journey to get to where he is in the music industry. Fireboy gives us some bars throughout the song, showing his dynamism blending into a different music genre. Asake brought his PBUY vibes into making the song a masterpiece.

Fireboy has never been shy to talk about his desires in music. He gives us a taste of his passion in “Sofri,” a lust letter wrapped in soft tempo beats.

“Diana, “my favorite on the album, features superstar Chris Brown and Jamaican Goddess, Shenseea. The calm tune brilliantly mixes the trio vocals with a good blend of rhythm. 

Other features are “Compromise” with Rema, an expected blend of two different sounds to make something calm and rhythmic. 

In Conclusion, the album is a solid project, but compared to his other albums, it lacks his musical sounds, which we were blessed to have in the other albums. The songwriting, features, and production are top-notch.

Personal Favourites – (Bandana ft Asake)Ashawo(Sofri), Diana ft Chris Brown, Shenseea.

6/10 

The Guy – M.I Abaga 

M.I. Abaga, who changed his stage name to “The Guy,” reminds us why he is a legend in the game with the release of his 7th studio album. The Album has gotten positive reviews on social media, showing that you can separate an artist from their craft.

The Album was crafted to discuss his life, love, success, and more. However, he continuously praised himself as a legend who has paved the way for younger rappers in the game.

He heavily featured other artists in the Album’s 10 out of 12 tracks. He featured Olamide, Nas, Lord Vino, Duncan Mighty, Ossi Grace, Wande Coal, Phyno, The Cavemen, Chillz, Tomi Owo, BNXN, Ice Prince, and Jesse Jagz.

I enjoy the Album. It shows how M.I. Abaga has grown as an artist and adjusted to the sound being played today.

“The Hate” talks about the disrespect M.I. He has gotten into the industry and his accomplishments before all these younger rappers came into the limelight. He reminds us he has been a legend since he was 30. The beat flows with his sound of warning everyone he is a legend still in the game.

He features Olamide and Nas in “Bigger,” about the trio’s struggle with fame, luxurious life, and their battle throughout their life.

“Soft Life,” featuring Lord Vino, is a letter to lazy and unambitious people. Lord Vino talks about wanting to live a quiet life like “Tony Elumelu” and celebrating success through hard work.

Duncan Mighty brings his afro vibe sound into “The Front Door,” which talks about how to get woo and seduce a lover. It is a feel of amapiano and afro highlife that flows with both their sounds.

“Crazy,” one of my favorite tracks on the Album, presses on mental health with Twitter as a reference point. MI Abaga referenced “Ricky Rick” in his verse. Ricky Rick was a South African who died due to mental health. The track tells people to be considerate of what people are going through in their personal life and be kind to everyone.

M.I. Abaga recently got engaged, and the song he used for his proposal video was “Love Song,” which got everyone searching for the track. The song talks about his love for his Fiancee and continues praising her through his verses. I was jealous of #GodWhen.

Wande Coal’s vocals on the chorus and M.I.’s. Expressive verse blend with the highlife beat.

“The Inside” is a perfect mix of Igbo highlife and mellow R&B that blends perfectly well with Phyno, The Cavemen, and M.I. Abaga’s sound. It is a brilliant mix of Traditional and Modern sounds. 

The Album ends with four other songs, Daddy ft Chillz, Soldier ft Tomi Owo, Oil ft BNXN, and the chocolate boys, Ice Prince, and Jesse Jagz on “More Life.” The end of “More Life” was a coin drop, which I found significant to the Album’s ending. 

Generally, the Album has gotten positive reviews from people, especially the Gen Z crowd. It also signifies that M.I. Abaga is a legend still in the game. 

Personal Favourites – (The Hate)Bigger ft Olamide and Nas(Soft Life Tony ft Lord Vino)Crazy – Ossi Grace(The Love Song ft Wande Coal)The Inside- Phyno ft The Cavemen.

8/10

NATIVE WORLD – Native Sound System

“Native Magazine” has released its official debut album under Native Sound System. It features almost, if not all, the new kids on the block and the hottest artists in the industry.

The 15-track project is a blend of different genres of music with varying sounds of artists and styles. The Album features, The Cavemen, Sholz, Teezee, Obongjayar, Ayra Starr, Lady Donli, Alpha P, Lojay, Cruel Santino, Show dem camp, SGawd, Baby, Azanti, WANI, BOJ, and many amazing artists. 

“Runaway” ft Lojay & Ayra Starr and “Wedding Ring” ft WANI, BOJ, Odunsi, and Odeal had dropped earlier in the year. 

I enjoyed the Album because it perfectly blends R&B, Afrobeats, Highlife, Hip-Pop, and many other genres of music. It also brought out the Alte community’s creativity which has gotten the recognition they deserve over the past few years.

The first track on the Album, “Tortoise,” is a fusion of Highlife, Dancehall, and Afrobeat. The Cavemen and Sholz are a perfect match for vocals and superb production.

Lojay and Ayra Starr’s vocals on “Runaway” immediately pushed the song to the top of my list—an instant personal best. 

“Wedding Ring” is a mid-tempo sound that infiltrates perfectly into the setting of a Nigeria Wedding. WANI, BOJ, Odunsi, and Odeal held the fort down in their vocals and sounds. It blends Afropop and R&B to give us an intimate and romantic setting.

Gabzy takes us through a calm chill throughout “TGIF.” His vocals mix with the beat, presenting people with a soft feeling on the weekend.

“Pressure” with Alpha P and Lady Donli gives drums, beats, and instrumental sound that gets people dancing from the beginning to the end of the song.

Prettyboy D-O, MOJO AF, Fresh L, and Psycho Y.P. infusion their sounds into the fast-paced track, “Pim Pim” Fresh L and Psycho Y.P. Rap verses on the way blended well with Prettyboy D-O, MOJO AF vocals give us a masterpiece.

Other notable tracks on the Album are “Stuck on You” with Ayra Starr, LMBSKN and DAP The Contract, “Good Good” with Joyce Olong, SOLIS and Azanti, and “Cold Freestyle” with Bloody Civilian and SHOLZ.

For a debut album, Native Sound System has shown that they can create magic with amazing artists and talented producers. The Album is a definition that “Too many cooks don’t always spoil the broth.”

Personal Favourites- (Runaway-Lojay, Ayra Starr)Wedding Ring – WANI, BOJ, ODUNSI THE ENGINE, Odeal(Pressure- Alpha P, Lady Donli)Tortoise – The Cavemen, SHOLZ(TGIF -Gabzy)

7/10

Last month, #BlueTunes highlighted Burna Boy, Omah Lay, and Chris Brown’s projects. We can’t wait to see what the new month holds for us. From Queen B’s Renaissance, which dropped this morning, to a Fireboy project, our eardrums are ready!