Basketmouth (Bright Okpocha) has over the years cemented himself in the Entertainment industry, reinventing himself as the situation demanded. He began as a rapper then re emerged as a comedian. As a comedian, Basketmouth enjoyed ground breaking success. A changing Audience further demanded another transformation from the thespian. Skit making seemed like the next window of opportunity and as a serial winner he also enjoyed as Sabinus would say Hooje wins.
2020 for Nigerian Music was incredible; Grammy winning album Twice as Tall, Made in Lagos, A better Time, Celia and at the 11th hour “Yabasi” from Basketmouth. Yabasi to many including myself was a bolt from the blue. However a couple of minutes in it was clear Ezegburugburu’s (which is a name that translates to “All round King”, further affirming his wins) masterpiece was a success,the pure work of a master planner. Chess in music. The array of artists, the perfection in arrangements was magical.
Soooooo we got another !
Horoscope.
I really couldn’t find any relationship with the title and the album but that takes nothing away from the master piece that Basketmouth put together.
Horoscope is a beautiful blend of afrobeat, hip-hop and ofcourse igbo Highlife (helloooo Cavemen)
Basket Dukthur
Let’s gooooo
Johnny Drille’s voice opens up the album on Love & Life. The song paints a scenario of a love triangle involving a toxic lover, estranged lover and the loved trapped in between. M.I Abaga and Simi lend their voices to play the roles of the toxic lover and the woman of their hearts respectively
The Album then moves to allow Buju, Wande coal and Peruzzi express themselves in the next songs.
One Album!
Buju’s (when he was still Buju) Your Body feels definitely like it was a prequel to his Sorry I’m late album that dropped later. In owning the song, infused modulation which was beautiful. BNXN is here to stay people. Wande’s listen (Teti) is a cry to anyone to pay attention to him.
On money Oxlade ft Efya put to display their vocal dexterity. Heavy bass lines which are eerily familiar with usher Legend 2Baba and fast growing Blaqbones in Trouble.
The Cavemen ( yes agaiinnn) with delightful fusion alongside Kwabena on the The Traveller. The traditional beat fits right into the avenue of these indigenous artists.
Intense drum rollsssssss.
My last song theory has once again been proven on this album.
In music sphere, a cypher is a gathering of artist, beatboxers or rappers making music together. Imagine a circle of talented artist, each one one having their 15 minutes of fame. Assembly of Gods is a perfect example a cypher with cavemen setting the tone for Falz, Flavour, Magnito and Illbliss to go crazy and Basketmouth comes with he benediction.
Yabasi and Horoscope may be different in style but they give off the same essence. A mega mind at work, for someone who’s spent a large part of his life as a performer it’s really not to difficult for him to recognize equally talented artist. Ezegburugburu gathered round himself and Avengers-Justice league set up on his album
Favorite tracks:
Assemble of Gods & The Traveller
Enjoyed this one
Whitelion!
