By Milcah Tanimu
Blaqbonez, the celebrated Hip-Hop artist, has unveiled his latest album titled ‘Emeka Must Shine.’ This remarkable project weaves together a diverse tapestry of forward-thinking musical genres, including Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Drill, R&B, and Alté, showcasing his most ambitious and boundary-pushing work to date.
The album encapsulates Blaqbonez’s victories on various fronts, celebrating themes of success, personal growth, versatility, and an unwavering commitment to carrying the torch for Nigerian hip-hop. In this album, he blends his musical personas to create a unique and captivating body of work that solidifies his status as Nigeria’s own version of Drake.
‘Emeka Must Shine’ comprises 14 tracks and features an exceptional lineup of heavyweight talent from across the diaspora. Collaborations with artists like Black Sherif, Projexx, Victony, Odumodublvck, Young Jonn, Zlatan, and even the US rap legend Ludacris on ‘Cinderella Girl (Where You Day)’ have contributed to the album’s resounding success, with the latter track amassing over 4 million streams since its summer release.
Each song on the album offers a distinct sonic experience. The album opener, ‘Road Runners,’ sets the tone by chronicling Blaqbonez’s journey in gritty fashion alongside Ghanaian drill superstar Black Sherif. Tracks like ‘Nyem Ego’ and ‘6 Bizne$$ Day$’ re-explore the album’s overarching themes, while ‘Kilo,’ ‘Like Ice Spice,’ and ‘Dollerz’ provide smooth and silky offerings that showcase Blaqbonez’s vocal prowess over lush, club-friendly soundscapes.
‘Naija Shawty’ delves into the beauty of Nigerian women, featuring the unmistakable voice of Victony. ‘Masquerade’ employs an up-tempo vibe with a deep, swinging bassline as Blaqbonez reflects on his changing fortunes.
‘Shine Forever II’ brings Blaqbonez into his rap flow, with a touch of 2000s flow reminiscent of J Dilla. ‘Bad Till Eternity’ keeps him in this pocket, with Zlatan’s signature street-rap style seamlessly complementing Blaqbonez’s lyrical prowess as they delve into the struggles of the music industry.
‘Like Bezos’ offers a pop-friendly sound, while ‘No Sleep $$$’ introduces Amapiano influences as Blaqbonez and Young Jonn exchange verbal blows, sharing insights into their relentless work ethic.
The dreamy, alté sounds of ‘Wait Let Me Get The Tissue II’ and ‘Cinderella Girl (Where You Day)’ featuring Ludacris are intimate and heartfelt slow jams that close the album in a sultry fashion. Blaqbonez masterfully displays countless personas with his trademark bold yet quick-witted lyricism.
With ‘Emeka Must Shine,’ one of Nigeria’s most versatile musical stars showcases his depth with yet another irresistible album.
