The CUTS: EP 05 Vol. 14
THE CUTS is a weekly review of songs, videos and albums you need to hear. The songs and videos covered are not a genre and/or region specific. Once it is good, it will be reviewed or featured.
Cina Soul – Killi Mi
“Every time you break me, I try to fix you. But what happens in the end when I’m broken beyond repair”.
A simple statement laden with gore. The stench of the goriness is present in the video accompanying “Killi Mi”, the new single by afro soul singer Cina Soul. “Killi Mi”, a soulful tune hinged with captivating traditional Ga rhythms and mellifluous vocal delivery sounds like a record cut during her “Ga Mashi” sessions. “Killi Mi” is produced by NiiQuaye and explores the subject of domestic violence.
Under the directorial eyes of Gene Adu, who is having an incredible run thanks to his incredible visuals, Gene posits short yet in-depth drama against a song whose lyrics is as brazen as it came.
The video explores the two sides of domestic abuse and the modes in which it is wrapped. In the first chapter, we see Cina Soul playing the role of the abuser. She employs both physical, emotional and sexual power to abuse her male partner. This is amply depicted in scenes where her boyfriend covers his bruises with makeup and her (Cina) shaving off her beard.
The second chapter of the video is a reversal of roles where the woman becomes the victim of abuse in all forms. Despite the advice of her alter ego (red wigged Cina) to either take control of affairs or quit the relationship, the abiding and hopeful Cina stuck around, trying ‘to fix’ her man like all “submissive” partners do. In the end, we see her lying in a pool of blood unconscious (or was she dead?), her guy standing over her a brick in hand repeating the opening statement above.
The statistics on domestic violence makes for a grimy read. According to a 2015 research by the Institute of Development Studies, 28 percent of women and 20 percent of men suffer domestic violence abuse in Ghana. Globally, the report pegged at 35 percent. The report also stated that, 75 percent of women suffer emotional abuse. Considering recent discussions on domestic violence, mental health and women’s right, Cina Soul’s admission to learning more about domestic violence this year, making a record and shooting a video for it is a brilliant addition to the whole conversation.
T’Neeya – Joli
After making her presence known on the music scene following the release of the afropop bop ”Text Me”, Cameroonian music act and Aristokrat Records signee T’Neeya is out again with another bop titled ”Joli” which translate as ”Pretty Boy” in French. The love song has T’Neeya ( Jennifer Tania Takoh) expressing the charm and wonders of being in love. Produced by the highly rated Kel P (Vibes) and mixed by Mix Monsta, the song’s soundscape is a fusion of contemporary afropop elements with francophone rumba punctured by the highly hypnotic electric guitar rhythms.
The David Nicol-Sey directed video blends a variety of dance moves, intimate moments between lovers, the teenage mushiness associated with fallen in love. The colour grading and the engaging visuals makes ”Joli” an exciting watch.
PlugNSix ft Worlasi & Ayat – Cannibal
Producer duo, PLUGNSIX, (Plugwill and Sixtrees) have released their debut single ‘Cannibal’. The song features the affable oul Singer extraordinaire Worlasi and the Hausa Rap Progidy, Kirani Ayat, over an illustrious instrumental of trapped drums and horned bridges.
The theme of the song is Sex, and Worlasi approaches the song from the angle of a drained individual after a night with a nymphomaniac, labeling her a ‘Cannibal‘ after the arduous events of the night before. However, Ayat embraces his inner beast and melanges with the ‘Cannibal’, exploring his personal limits as to the lengths his can go with her. With Mixing and Mastering done by Plugnsix, the song and its instrumentation is an attestation to how far the production duo have come this year.
Moor Sound, Kwame Yesu x Questo – Times We Need Each Other
The title of this 4-track EP is not out of place. Moor Sound ranks among one of the most hardworking men in music this year. Along with Kwame Yesu and Questo, the trio have created a project to vibe with. The soundscape for ‘‘Times We Need Each Other” is strictly trap and the two rappers, Kwame Yesu and Questo- along with their friends flex their style.
”Flexxx” featuring Copta has the rappers talking about the power of money and the happiness it brings when you have enough. The head nodding bounce and the synths that underlines the track would make DJ Mustard tap his feet. Magnom makes an appearance on the dancehall-esque ”On Fire”, a song about living their lives without stress, the trio return to the trap sound on ”I Dey Wonder”, where they question love- and ”I No Want Do”. ”Times We Need Each Other” is one of those project released for their fans to vibe with.
