The BEST AFRICA RAPPER (#B.A.R II) Mix tape? Was it worth the hype? This was what i kept wondering up in my head until the official mix tape was released couple of days ago. The Album was really worth the hype like for real, cause lately it been one sided when tracks or albums used to get hyped but at the end they such a disappointment like a few such as Sarkodie Ft. AceHood NewGuy(Flop of the YEAR). E.L has been so consistent from the #B.A.R I till date, I think he's finally going through some improvements in his career and growing as an individual in the industry.
But one thing I noticed while listening to his album was that he was using the #N-WORD lot of times and using lot of F*** word, which i think HE being a ROLE MODEL to adolescents below the age of 18 and the kind of problems most profanity in the rap could bring,could have maybe done some adjustments to some of the lines but, we can't blame him that much cause most Ghanaian rappers learn from Foreign Artiste who tend to use such words in their lyrics.
But at least he tried editing them out, so we can give him the benefit of the doubt, but the problem is Ghanaian industry is not really ready for that transition of the profanity used and our culture frowns so much on that.He do be claiming to be the Best African Rapper , for so long but is he really up to that level yet?
REVIEW:
TRACK 1: INTRO FT. DEEZY
Here EL started by acknowledging his (GOD) and later fans and his crew #BBNZLive, His money value as an artist, life aspirations.The song is pierced by series of unnecessary screams,outbursts that halts the beats. Which i think he made it quite interesting but all the talking the guy in the background did, I think didn't work for me kinda cos he did same thing in the #BAR I with the Your Gf "anaa" ft. M.anifest, so was thinking in this improvement he would have tried some dynamics , Since what Deezy did, we heard it so many times and probably the fans could start getting bored up with that style, maybe.
The instrumental was also on point with the switch from the soul type sample beat into hardcore beats, which in my opinion blended really quite well.Especially the switch up in the beats
,he did quite well with some ease on that. I think he is feeling kind of stressful with the #BAR title on him.
TRACK 2: WOSSOP
E.L we all know, makes good use of his lyrical advantage and word play, and it was quite easy for him to rhyme with the towns in Ghana. The Rap was on point but we know Sarkodie already tried something similar in previous years, So E.L could have done something better than that probably. And what did not really work for me was when he tried mentioning some towns in Ghana which he is not familiarized with, his accent did not quite help him that well, but he could be pardoned because he is a #9(EWE).
TRACK 3 : THIS IS CRAZY CHALE
He dropped this song like months ahead as a single in order to get his fans salivating a little or put the fans in suspense in what to expect from him on the real project. EL spoke about contemplating on how to place the flag of GHANA on the globe,being poor while upcoming, leaping out dreams into realities. The instrumentals had the panicked sound of that ensuing free-fall , a rush of angst and despair with absolutely no intent of dropping of levels down and nothing to loose.This song spoke about emotional situations from childhood and could not believe who he is and how far he's come as an artiste.
TRACK 4: INSIDE OUT (KOJO-CUE FT STARGO & REGGIE ROCKSTONE)
Started out, on the creator of Hip life Reggie Rockstone doing a cameo , talking about how the #BAR 1 shaked up the industry and how the #BAR II gone revolutionize it this time round. Talked about the jealousy and hate in the industry and bad vibes from colleague artist.The concept of this track seems kind of confusing cause all 3 rappers were talking about all different stuffs,which a fan listening to it might get confused. First, El was rapping about HIM being the man and Kojo Cue talking about
his sex life fantasies and later Stargo talking about his hustles.
TRACK 5: KING WITHOUT A CROWN(#K.W.A.C)
Looked like this #BAR II mix tape was all about throwing shots at someone or haters but that person no one knows. At least the dynamics i was talking about Ghanaian rappers doing different things but not copying so much is a problem on this track,with lot of piercing screams in the instrumentals. Sarkodie did #NewGuy with a certain guy talking at the hook of the chorus and that's the same thing EL did in the mix tape all tracks. What happened to creativity here?
Here EL talked about being underrated, focusing on getting his crown(Artiste of The Year), being better than any rap artist in the whole of Africa,hating comparisons. One advice to EL is to stick to the English, Pigi and Ga rap style but should not try rapping in twi anymore, which i think sounded weak and made no sense.
TRACK 6:AUTHENTIC
This my favorite track on this mix tape. Talked about how his flow is authentic, and this song makes me tend to make references to Psalm 23, which to me is so inspiring that rappers do connote to the Bible verses for inspiration. EL talked about "walking in fire and not getting burnt" in the sense that he has been through a lot but always kept going regardless,being the One, Crew, rappers with Ghostwriters,tribute to Ghetto KB.
TRACK 7 : 1O RAP COMMANDMENTS
Advising upcoming rappers on how to handle their fame and how to perfect in branding. Which I am thinking of writing an article on branding in Ghana since most of our artist do not know nothing about this topic. At least EL was shading D-Black in his line and i quote "IF you shaa seff money go fit make u sound legit" and we all know he is the whackest rapper in Ghana. And he threw some shades on Charter House and #VGMA for not recognizing his works,how he had to sell out before
he started selling,creativity,how so many rappers slack just after two(2) singles or songs (Pappy Kojo) and keeping loyal friends around always.
TRACK 8: HERE WE ARE
Another inspiring track which strengthens and encourages you when things are not going well, the intrumental here was a sampled 80's soul type beats and later with some Hip Hop interlude. And this song was dedicated to his mum, who passed on ,getting the million dollar co-sign, Granny, and how to appreciate loved ones, and being underrated.
How he switched his passion into hard work, female friends. At least he is letting us know how his mum was good to him and his career as a rapper, which in Ghana most mum would not agree to that field. He acknowledged some key personalities who helped him in his career, shout outs also was made to his team colleagues #BBNZLive ,Jay Foley, Gemini, PY Addo and a lot.
TRACK 9: WORK II(FEAT. C-REAL & DEX KWASI)
This song let's you want to wake up early in the morning and grind to make life better, since there is a saying that "no food for the lazy man". At least he made this song kind of new to us but i think it was already in the previous #BAR I but this time round with new instrumentals.
TRACK 10: OH LORD
Track 10 never talked about nothing concerning the title, what kept running inside my head after seeing the title was maybe this gone be like "Halleilujah" or something sounding Gospel but i was wrong i guess, but all i can comment on, after hearing the lyrics, was his WEED fantasies(ROLL 1! SMOKE 1!), only the stoners can relate this. But the title seems to gear of the main concept of the song. One, upon seeing the title "Oh Lord" might think the song would be about rapping the gospel or something of that sor, BUT NO do not be fooled. Here the rapper contemplated about living the Ghanaian dream,struggles,Last days of his life,city and having trust issues.
TRACK 11 : STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
HARDSHIP: It is the definitive Ghanaian person statement of the year. Realest song on this album for real!!! EL nailed it from verse one to the end. Just a few rappers attempt to hit on the vital issues he stated , which had to deal with the hardships and difficulties Ghanaians are going through. And other things rappers or social right speakers fail to talk about, with the fear that they would be stigmatized and might loose some fan base, EL also threw some shades on Policemen/women who take bribe on our highways.
He added his voice to other rappers doing it like: Sarkodie, Wanlov n M3nsa and a lot. And throwing shades on Pastor's wailing to members to always give whether they have or not. From a verse he be like "Preacher man screaming Mama give it to God and how all will be solved at judgement day" which i find being so ironic in the sense that, most Ghanaians always have the mentality of making wrongdoers going Scott free, in Twi they say "FA MA NYAME" situations, and he stressing for that attitude to be stopped, is really applaudable.
TRACK 12: SWITCH UP FT RECOGNIZE ALI.
This song sounds more like a sampled funky and Rn B beat, which talked about haters which has been the basis of this mix tape album all through from track 1-19, Hmmm, started dozing after trying to listen to all tracks at once cause at some point all i could reminisce was he talking about haters, haters, haters!!!, El also talked about competition with other rappers, switching up the style of Ghana music. Recognize Ali killed it with his style which i found it so intriguing and interesting , cause it been a while we heard this kind of flows and styles in Ghana.
TRACK 13 : THE CROSS FT. GEMINI & REGGIE ROCKSTONE
As the title goes it means picking up the rap mantle (Cross) and making it worthwhile, and EL talked about his love for music and how young artiste look up to him as a mentor and role model. And it seems the #BAR II gone retire from his profession after all , maybe? If you got the OG's doing cameos on your songs it serves as a motivation that you are doing something right. Inspiration as young kid and turning passions into work, Getting the Kendrick Lamar co-sign. To me it feels like a mantra of self-acceptance and a howling and accusatory dialogue with his own psyche,insecurities with breathtaking honesty, referencing quitting rap thoughts, lubricating still whether to continue or not.
TRACK 14: ALL BLACK FT PAPPY KOJO & JOEY B.
Nice flow, on point! Good concept, awesome delivery by all 3 rappers. Maybe the track has been around for a while and everybody can relate to it. This is also one of my best tunes on the mix tape and i hope it does win Best Collaboration in Ghana next year at the #VGMA's. He's arguably the most talented artist in Ghana with songwriting skills,singing and rapping when he said "Lord why you put so much in one body" which addresses all his capabilities, and this is an anthemic and melancholy rap one-liner, where EL upped his competition with other rappers,claiming he's better than all of them. It started with a sampled guitar loop and later some harmonious chords and later some strings which sounded well coordinated and soothing to listening pleasure.
TRACK 15: BEST SHAPE FT. KID BLACK & BLACKWAY
This song's basic concept was about reminiscing on how he was striving to be GreatNess and actually getting to be what he aspired for all through his life, which to me I think is a great motivation and something that can be learnt by the upcoming rappers that, STARDOM can never be achieved overnight. And even related in real life that success can not be achieved in a day or even ROME was not built in one day. The other rappers also did justice to the beat and the coordination and flare was all lit!.
TRACK 16: 16 BARS FT. JAYSO.
This i call the skillions link up of the OGees! Cause skillions was started by this men and at least makes us miss the skillions squad so much and wish they were re-united. The starting of the song sounds kinda catchy with the chanting which i think this time round it worked. All about how 16Bars got them into the limelight and shot them into fame. Been a while we heard from Jayso but he got the flow all day everyday. EL talked about getting a feature with Kendrick Lamar, more rap partners and more collaborations.
TRACK 17: POP CHAMPAGNE.
Talks about hope for tomorrow and not thinking so much or hard about the future, since we all do not know what the future holds for us (QUI SERA SERA). To be the greatest you need to emancipate and defeat yourself. It's all about celebration of life and enjoying after getting the good work done and achievements as an individual.
TRACK 18: WE NO DEY HEAR FT KOJO-CUE & LIL SHAKER
The concept is about standing on your 2 feet and grinding to success after backsliding, as the saying goes "the fall of a man,is not the end of his life". Talks about the life tribulations, like he being jobless,broke, motor accidents and how he is now rich and famous and nasty things all 3 rappers have been through since day 001, but still made it through till now.
TRACK 19: UNITY FT. VARIOUS ARTISTES.
UNITY is all we need to move forward. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. We all know how the music industry is full of hatred and back-biting, when a colleague tends to be doing better than the other . IS it that EL had no title for most of his tracks or i am confused? Cause the title is unity, but the concept sounds otherwise. Messed up track listing and naming , that's the only problem i got with this. It featured Dex Kwasi, Lil Shaker, C-Real, D-Black, Morning Tee, and a lot more.One interesting twist is that Dee-Moneey, D-Black and Joey B were all on this .
For EL, there is a purpose in repulsion. And on #BAR II, he trades out smooth soul and anthemic choruses for jarring hip hop, and industrial grind while delivering some of his most lewd and heart-crushing tales yet. He was a bit selfish on featuring the big names in Ghana music industry but was selfless in moving with his #BBNZLive artiste and putting the shine on them a little bit. On the average i do rate the mix tape album 60% and i think he released it quite early and there could be a lot more improvements in subsequent works. And my only problem i have is the use of profane words in most of the rap and tracks. EL, When is the #BAR III coming out?
The above listed opinions and constructive criticisation are bound to corrections, since all human beings may tend to differ from each other. All contributions are humbly welcomed.
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