ARTISTE REVIEW: I.G.H.O Mon, Mar 22nd, 2010

ARTISTE REVIEW: I.G.H.O

RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

RECORD LABEL: IGH RECORDS

The Nigerian entertainment industry has become so vibrant that everyone (both budding locals and runaways) wants to be part of it. The name Naija (I prefer this variant but will use the other one in this review) or 9ja now represents the players in the entertainment industry. Another new player I.G.H.O, tries to play up his 9ja-boyism in his sophomore album, 9JA BOY.

Sophomore album, yes. I.G.H.O has a debut album released in South Africa while he was at the South African School of Motion Pictures. After releasing a single that top the charts everywhere in South Africa, Sony BMG signed up I.G.H.O. But the contract was only a one-year-one-album one because I.G.H.O was still in school then and didn’t want a hectic contract. After his studies, I.G.H.O became a film-maker, and was the reason most 9ja artistes went to South Africa to shoot their music video. Also a producer, video director/editor and rapper, I.G.H.O decided to come back home and trade his craft in the Nigerian Music Industry.

9JA BOY kicked off with an intro where I.G.H.O tells his story. Laced with an auto-tune saying “I’ll come back when you call on me. You don’t need to say goodbye”, I.G.H.O pledges his patriotism to Nigeria. The next track, “Get Away” featuring Mode 9 and Faze addresses the greener-pastures syndrome common among Nigerian youths. While expressing the sentiment that home is still the best place to be, the trio brilliantly preaches their sermon with music. Followed by this is a track on what most 9ja youths like to do – partying. On this track, I.G.H.O enlisted the king of party music, Terry G who sang, as well as produce the track. “I got the perf” has trademark Terry G dancehall beat and subject (I mean, what the hell “perf” means?).

9JA BOY explores a range of subject peculiar to a regular 9ja boy/artiste. From bragging (“Wetin you go do”, “Big boss”, “Game locked down”); hustling/getting paid (“I dey on my grind”); dreams (“Dream”, “Be like you”); success/breakthrough (“Life don change”); ladies themes (“Control number”, “Wine it”, “Dey make me kolo”, “Na today?”) and  party/feel good music (“I got the perf”, “Mesebu”, “Esu biri biri”, “9ja boy”, “Se were”) to telling the story of his life (“Story of my life”) and requesting for air-play (“Radio”). With a stunning and catchy beat attached to each track, I.G.H.O put across his 9ja boy-ism as would Ruggedman or Ill Bliss. Even while away, years of working with 9ja artistes did not make I.G.H.O lose touch of his 9ja-ness.

9JA BOY succeeds because of its serviceable rap, believable swagger, inescapable hook, and fatter than fat beats. I.G.H.O brilliantly targeted every song at the mainstream, making sure non sound boring. I.G.H.O throws a party that doesn’t quit. On some of the tracks (“Story of my life”, “Na today?”), I.G.H.O dropped only one verse while letting the featured artiste sing through the rest of the track. The beats are so masterfully produced that they’ll renew your love for hip-hop. I.G.H.O is not only good at producing but proficient in rapping as well. There’s much to be desired about I.G.H.O’s rapping skills – his ability to spit bars in quick succession and the confidence he exhumes while doing so. I.G.H.O is a complete package and good at all he does, 9JA BOY just proves that.

RATING: 4.5/5


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