THE CUTS: EP 03 Vol. 19
THE CUTS is a short review of songs, videos or albums that we think you need to hear or watch. The music is not genre and/or region specific. Once it is good, it will be covered.
Poetra Asantewa – Hungry
‘Hungry’ examines the relationship between country/society (Ghana) and its citizens through the prism of Poetra. The poem highlights the raw deal the country hands its own populace: lack of protection of especially women, children and marginalized groups, absence of support systems for creatives, entrepreneurs. Poetra sums up her observations and experience in the opening lines of the poem: ‘I’m hungry for a love my country cannot afford/ I want a a love that would buffer me before my mistakes’.
This isn’t the first time the beloved poet had rendered a political commentary. In 2016, she released ‘Vote For Me’; a poem that threw light on the dust throwing antics of politicians ahead of elections.
‘Hungry’, the first self-produced poem by Poetra criticizes the culture of embracing and recognizing our own after they get celebrated by foreigners first. “A love that doesn’t wait for another suitor to sing praises of my genius before recognizing my work’ is what she hopes for. ”Hungry” is a criticism of the system, a call to fix it, the hypocrisy within it, all delivered in a mixed tone of pain and measured optimism.
Kayso – Abena
Whether the tag line is ‘This Be Kayso From Tema’ or ‘Ayee’ or ‘GroundUp Chale’ after a short laugh, Kayso has earned his stripes as the producer behind some of the biggest songs in the country. And one addition to his growing catalogue is ”Abena”.
Built around a highlife groove, “Abena” has Kayso doing his very best to win the heart of a lady. His vocals sound fresh and crisp. The production is spotlessly engrossing -the drums bang and the bass line grips. The live horns placement after the second verse offers tune a certain grace.
The Kayso on ”Abena” sounds very different from the one that was heard on ”Your Type No Dey” EP, released last year. If we are to deduce from his recent tweet about finally shaking off the bug of depression that afflicted him throughout last year, making him unable to produce songs, then we should expect a revitilized Kayso to deliver some amazing pieces of work this year.
Joey B feat Wanlov & Yaa Pono – Beautiful Boy
Joey B is rapping again. The slick, humor dripping lines that made him a household name is still present and showing on his latest ‘Beautiful Boy’. The song tackles the concept and meaning of ‘beauty. ‘First thing when I wake up/ I look in the mirror/oh God, is it me or/fine I fine so/dangerous’, Joey B raps over a Kuvie beat.
Wanlov and Yaa Pono advance this theme on their respective verses. Wanlov celebrates his nice eyebrows, tight six packs and his ‘caramel tone’ which his mirror screams in shock upon ‘seeing’ his image. Yaa Pono showcased the symptoms’ of being beautiful.
Is ‘Beautiful Boy’ an attempt to encourage good male grooming or it’s a case of flipping round the notion that only women revel in their own beauty? Could it also be about self-love? Whatever the case, this song would receive traction.
Zepora – Give Me Love
Zepora’s voice has graced some afro house/dance songs produced here in Ghana. Mention can be made of Kuvie’s ‘Deep’ and ‘Euphoria (off Gruvie). She again featured on ‘Thinking of You’ by DJ Kess. Now, she’s stepping into the light with her very first single.
The up-tempo reggae toned ‘Give Me Love’ with its adorable horn sections has Zepora preaching about coexistence and treating people with respect. ‘Judge no one cos Jah repays/and gives according to our deeds’, she sings.
The opening words on ‘Give Me Love’: ‘It’s been long since I’ve seen someone show love’ cast the song as a social and moral call than someone begging to be loved. Aside the wavy flow in her singing, the preachy message and the good reggae vibe, it’s her ad-libs that makes good impression. Get her song on aftown.com
