THE CUTS: EP 04 VOL. 6
THE CUTS reviews songs, videos or albums we think deserves your attention. The music covered are not genre and/or region specific. Once it is good, it would be reviewed here. THE CUTS is available every FRIDAY
Fuse ODG feat Damian Marley – Bra Fie
Saying Fuse ODG has been representing Ghana in the diaspora would be an understatement. Aside Wiyaala, who’s always putting on for the motherland, Fuse doesn’t only do it with his music. His fashion sense is a great indicator of that. In fact, he sells not only his music but the country of his birth and heritage.
His latest video portrays that excellently. Along with reggae superstar Damian Marley, Fuse ODG recreates the history of colonialism and slavery, and how blacks are treated by the system, including cops in the diaspora.
The video brilliantly shows the happy society that our ancestors inhabited before it was threatened and ruined by white colonialists. The African natives, led by the King fight off the white invaders, escaping with his family through a tunnel. The next scene shows a black man emerging out of a door. Cops immediately pull up on him, slam him to the ground and handcuff him for simply admiring a Lamborghini. A handful of white youths are seen recording the whole incident on their phones. The black man flees from the cops to his family at home after a little fight. Together, they take the tunnel once again and return back to Africa; an allusion to the title of song, ‘’Bra Fie’’ which means ‘Come Home’.
The video and the lyrics of song discuss the racism and prejudice against blacks in western societies, the impact of slavery and the new black renaissance zeal. This statement is made clear over triumphant horns and thumping fontomfrom drums. Fuse ODG sings: ‘’Take the shackles off my feet, make I go, make I go/Is a battle with the beast/take your shield, here we go”. He expresses a desire which he knows won’t come easy or cheap: that of freedom and independence. One has to fight for it.
Magnom featuring Nshona Muzic – Economy
When it comes to party anthems, trust no one but Magnom. The producer/artist has teamed up with another trendsetting creative, Nshona Muzic for “Economy”, a jam that harks back to the azonto era, pioneered by Nshona Muzic. On “Economy”, Magnom talks of the stifling economic difficulties of our time: ‘’everything make go slow/ everywhere no dough/tiredness in the economy’’. Despite the challenges, Nshona Muzic knows he has to work harder if he’s to succeed. The video of the song is one that every video game loving person would enjoy watching.
Boyd – Blues of Us
First time I saw Boyd was at Sabolai Radio in 2016. He was one of the opening performers. (He had Manny FBC, creative director for this blog as his guitarist). It wasn’t until a few months back that his name came up on my radar again, after getting featured by E.L on “Dare To Dream”, where the young vocalist smouldered the song with a standout soulful performance.
Boyd released his 6 track EP “Blues of Us” about a week ago. The lead single, “Eye Candy” has Boyd crooning about his feelings for a woman. Boyd sounds calm as he relays his feelings into words. “Blues of Us” cut across the genres of trap-soul (Eye Candy, Awula), Afropop (Call Me), Pop (Around The World), RnB (Blues of Us). If there’s one noticeable trait about him, it’s his voice. There’s no sign of strain in his voice-he doesn’t sound like he’s trying hard to impress or sound extra pleasing. His harmonies are delivered casually, like one does when singing to themselves. This is an excellent intro to those who don’t know him and his music.
Kwame Write ft Wanlov – Cathedral
The building of a national cathedral by the government keeps provoking opinions. For Kwame Write and Wanlov, it’s a senseless project to undertake. Their latest collaborative spoken word/rap single exposes their chagrin at the idea. Kwame Write demands fairness: the cathedral also should have a shrine. For Wanlov, the cathedral would be a confirmation of the church being a business venture. One thing is valid: Kwame Write and Wanlov go hard when they collaborate. With Prof. Kofi Awoonor’s famous poem of the same name serving as a backdrop, it won’t be out of place to say the poem inspired The Cathedral; the spoken word/rap single.
Queen Ayorkor ft FRA! – Aayalolo
From her song covers to taking her turn on Fretboard Sessions, Queen Ayorkor’s singing abilities hasn’t been in doubt. It was just a matter of time for her talent to be seen on a wider scale. ‘Aayalolo’ might just be the perfect introduction of herself to many music lovers. Over a jazzy rhythm- which switches into a vibrant traditional highlife feel towards the end of the song- courtesy the amazing FRA! band, she lays down her plans to leave behind an undeserving partner. Queen Ayorkor is moving on (as the song title states) to a place where she’ll be cherished and loved.
Sofie – Lost In Your Eyes
https://soundcloud.com/lionessofie/lost-in-your-eyes
The feeling of not wanting to lose the one you love is what Sofie expresses on this guitar driven song. Her words cut with honesty and passion. Her writing is very descriptive. “Lost In Your Eyes” is a pleading cry from a smitten soul. If you’ve been following Sofie, you’d realize this song is a very strong outing; an evidence of her growth and maturity. Sofie doesn’t possess the strongest vocal abilities. She, however, knows how to play within the confines of her vocal range.
Miles From Mars ft. Paula B – Asteroids Blues
Their name reveal what genre or musical aesthetics they employ in their music. The Ibadan based RnB music band is made up of Bio and SoulBlackSheep, two individuals who have bonded over their love for galactic and RnB sonics. Their new single, ‘’Asteroids Blues’’ encapsulate the direction or feel around their music. The song is about love- and its messiness, delivered in various vocal forms: falsetto and soft toned vocals. Only reservation is the James Blake-sque singing tucked in-between the two performance. That voice needed to be freed. “Miles From Mars” is lively thanks to its trap-soul beat and slow tempo vibe.
Odartei – Seduction
Odartei opens his emotional tap on ‘Seduction’, a smooth tune that has the artist singing about love and sex. ‘Seduction’ is Odartei’s confession about how much he loves a girl and his readiness to risk it all for her. Singing predominately in English, Odartei finds a way to blend in Ga and Twi lyrics to great effect. The RnB feel of the song hands it a good appeal.
Kabutey 199X – Prelude (Freestyle)
https://soundcloud.com/user-464969353/kabutey-the-prelude
Prelude (Freestyle) sees Kabutey, not only name drops famous individuals but aligns himself to them. Similar to most hip hop freestyles, this is a chest thumping exercise by the rapper. The Neo quote from Matrix is evidence of what was to follow. ‘Prelude’ (Freestyle) isn’t a jaw dropping display. It’s, however a good attempt by Kabutey.
Patricia Baloge – Mood Mix Vol. 3
With the growing popularity of afro-house music across the globe, Patricia Baloge, through her monthly mix, is helping expand the reach of the genre. Her latest release is a 1:15:00 long mix of music that will have you bopping or tapping. Whether you are turning up or going about your daily chores or need a workout playlist, Patricia got you with this mix.
Fre-D ft Danas – Mode (Mo De)
“Mo De” translate from Yoruba to English as ‘I’ve Arrived’. This is exactly what Fre-D is saying on his track with Danas. Carrying an afrobeat rhythm, the two artists talk about life and the joy that comes with living it – enjoying its pleasures. “Mo De” is Fre-D’s first single this year and a potential lead single from his upcomimg debut project. By employing Yoruba and English, Fre-D and Danas may succeed at earning looks from fellow their fellow countrymen.
Lilfred – Love
https://soundcloud.com/lilfred-skurches/love-afrobeatz-rhythm-produced
Catchy grove, easy to sing hook, use of popular phrases and a fluorescent horn line. That’s what Lilfred’s song “Love” is built on. Produced by Posigee, “Love” has Lilfred promising a girl who had turned down his proposal of what she might be missing in future, when he’s successful. If you are keen on good song writing, you won’t find it on “Love”. The song’s catchiness is its strongest quality.
Tibu ft Broni – I Need You
‘I Need You’ expresses a desire to love someone special; something Tibu and Broni amply make clear on their slow, afropop single ‘I Need You’. They point to her beauty and character as one of the qualities they admire about her. The interpolation of Kakie’s “Skin Tight” and Marc Anthony’s “I Need You” is handled excellently. With the right efforts, this song could be huge.
