Kevin MacCormack Album Review: Ashobi

Author: Kev MacCormack

Every so usually, a recording artist makes music listeners get up and hear with out prejudice. Very few have performed that in Sierra Leone (Emmerson on this century, Bunny Mack within the earlier). The rapper and singer from Central Freetown, born Benjamin Menelik George, has performed simply that since his 2015 debut mixtape ‘Ben Ten Over Ten’ and hit single “Pop Collar”. Drizilik’s newest album Ashobi etches his title amongst the greats of Sierra Leone music––that is his decade!

‘Ashobi’ is the long-awaited second album by Sierra Leonean artist Drizilik following on from 2018’s good debut album ‘Shukubly’. So it’s hardly a shock that the person has delivered an all-killer, no-filler bundle with an ideal fusion of latest West African music and a understanding nod to conventional music types from Sierra Leone. It has been effectively definitely worth the wait.

The album opens with the title observe, “Ashobi,” which options Hollywood royalty Idris Elba buying and selling verses with Drizilik. A hybrid of afro-fusion beats with a milo jazz-influenced chorus and a hook paying homage to many funerals in Sierra Leone (the music’s hook “If you get d ashobi go down oh” is from a standard chant usually heard at Krio funerals however with completely different phrases) Idris is correct to name this a traditional – which he does on the intro and outro.

The album continues with banger after banger. “Lion” and “Big Artist” contact on success, whereas tracks like “Dig Hole” and “Fana Makit” spotlight the hustle-bustle of life in Salone. On “Bad Padi” and “Tell” (remixed from a 2020 single), Drizilik waxes poetic on human habits. “Decide” is a standout that delivers a up to date slice of hip hop that ticks all the best packing containers {that a} ‘sick’ or ‘lit’ tune ought to. And but it doesn’t detract from the message of Christian religion in that music, a theme that continues to the Afropop gem “Exodus” – produced by Nigeria’s Masterkraft. “Fana Makit” definitely has future hit potential, and the lyrics – about youth dwelling past their means – definitely hit house like each different observe on the album.

“Said And Done,” that includes Skillz and Nigerian guitarist Fiokee, is a licensed banger that may turn out to be a membership favorite with the best push. Another standout for me is the reggae-tinged “Opin Yu Yai” with featured vocals by Mimi Wood is a hark again to Rihanna’s “Man Down”, with some added thrives of conventional Bubu music on the outro. The closing observe, ”Hype,” has a loping, hypnotic beat and extra Salone milo-jazz-influenced harmonica. Drizilik closes the album on a optimistic be aware that it is best to primarily “do you” and never comply with the hype. A fantastic finish to this 14-track magnum opus.

Drizilik has regularly drawn inspiration from Sierra Leonean experiences of life, love, and metropolis survival. But it’s his mastery of Krio metaphors and inimitable rap movement that makes for a robust combo that makes him stand out from his friends.

In the previous 20 years, Sierra Leone’s common music has developed with a gentle stream of native acts rising and some turning into family names for some time.  Many will argue (myself included) that by 2007 there was undoubtedly an SL music identification that may’ve simply been exported into the best fingers. While only a few of that first wave of artists stay energetic (Emmerson, for one), a millennial decade steadily ushered in new artists who higher perceive the place they’d like their music to be heading. It could also be argued that music has not fairly reached its fullest potential when it comes to industrial success and artwork. However, I’ll say this – Benjamin Menelik George, aka Drizilik, is on observe to be the breakthrough act of this decade. No marvel he has earned the King Of Sierra Leone’s New School moniker–a title this new album little doubt solidifies. He was informed he was the long run again in 2015 (as he says on the observe “Lion”); the long run is now, and that prediction has definitely rung true. With every observe on this album as sturdy because the one subsequent to it, ‘Ashobi’ is, undoubtedly, a beyond-impressive sophomore effort.

Kev MacCormack (previously Kris) is an ex-broadcaster, DJ, and music connoisseur who has had stints on Capital Radio FM and African FM (now defunct).