Album – Gbagada Express

Mood – Funky, Relaxed, Chill, SexualGenre – Pop, Alte , Afropop, RnB, Dancehall, Trap

Songwriters – BOJ and featured artistes


Producers – Krizbeats, GMK , Trill XOE , Genio Bambino, Adey, Juls


Label – MOVES Recording


Features – Wizkid, Davido, Mr. Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Buju, Fireboy DML, Amaarae, Victony, Darkovibes, Kofi Jamar, Prettyboy D-O, Fresh L, Teezee, Enny, Mellissa, Zamir, and Obongjayar


Runtime – 42 minutes


Tracks – 16


Release date: 22nd of April, 2022.

INTRODUCTION

Bolaji Odojukan better known by his stage name BOJ is an English-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is one-third of the musical group DRB Lasgidi with TeeZee and Fresh L, and is known as a pioneer of alte music genre.

The singer is renowned for his husky voice, distinct music style and delivering unique hooks that turns to hits . Ajebutter’s “ Omo Pastor” and “ Tungba”, Dave “ Lazarus “ and SDC “ Feel Alright “ are some of the tracks that attests to this fact .

Gbagada Express is Boj’s third studio album following the release of ‘BOTM’ and ‘Magic’ back in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

TRACKS

1. Owo Ni Koko feat FireboyDML – The album opens with the Krizbeats produced “ Owo ni koko “ which means “ Money is important”. The Afro beats track features YBNL act FireboyDML. There is amazing chemistry between the two acts as they brag about money and the relevance of hustling hard to make “ doe”. The song is a great opener to this album and Fireboy performs exceptionally well .

2. Tinu Ewe – is a simile for getting high off the leaves ( what ever that means ) . The song is a feel good party song for the Gen Zs that wants to feel good and get high.

3. Lekki Love ft Buju & Fresh L– On this love song , BOJ employs the service of hook master , Bujutoyourears and DRB member , Fresh L . Buju begs for the attention of his love interest based in Lekki while BOJ compliments his efforts by dropping very pleasing bars to serenade the young lady . Fresh L brought the rap vibes focusing on the theme and the trio creates a stellar track in form of “ Lekki Love “.
Scintillating beats too.

4. Awolowo feat Wizkid and Darko Vibes – Awolowo is a track that was released earlier ( in 2019) with kwesi Arthur , Joey B and Darko vibes . The rap version featured Ycee and Falz .This album version is the third treatment of the song and retains the darko vibes verse . Wizkid came in with a stellar verse and brings a different melody to the song . Awolowo is produced by GMK and is a feel good track talking about making money and feeling good
.
5. Confam ft PrettyBoyDo – BOJ brings a fresh vibe on this dancehall track with Alte act “
PrettyBoyDO “. This Is reminiscent of the dance hall track “ Aisha “ feat Wande coal on his second album “ Magic”. The acts talks about the authenticity of their babe’s body and their swag . Short , simple and reminiscent of the old galala and reggae tracks that wowed the hearts of Nigerians years ago .

6. Get out the Way ft Kofi Jamar & Joey B BOJ continues to show impressive versatility on the album with this trap joint featuring kofi Jamar and Joey B . The track which infuses element of drill and trap sees BOJ tells haters to get out the way as he intends to spend money and achieve his goals . The rapper brings their A game to complement this stellar track that should do well in the UK and US markets .

7. In A Loop feat Molly & Melissa – BOJ goes proper Alte on this track . He features Molly and Melissa on the joint . The track talks about a romantic entanglement between the track personas . Solid alte track

8. Yarning Many ( Skit ) feat Teezee – DRB lasgidi member , Teezee jumps on this skit to talk about his relationship with BOJ and how hardworking he is .

9. Emotions – Emotions is one of the singles released off the album . The Krizbeats produced song talks about a lady messing with BOJ emotions and feelings. The song laments the lackadaisical attitude of the lady towards BOJ’s feelings as BOJ sings about his love for her . One of the standout tracks about the project . “ You are messing with my emotions” , the love struck BOJ chants .

10. Culture ft Enny – A very refreshing track . The song shows element of Afrobeats and UK music .The song is produced by renowned Producer , Juls .The song talks about hustle , city life and the nightlife with an incredible and stellar verse from enny , the featured artiste. One of the top three tracks on the album and it can be comfortably tagged “ palmwine music “ , a word for the “ feel good , relaxed type of music “ popularized by the Nigerian rap duo Show Dem Camp .

11 Unconsciously ft Victony – It seems like BOJ is saving the best for the last .The second part of the album contains really really great songs . On this Adey produced track , BOJ and Victony sings about falling in love with a girl UNCONSCIOUSLY without planning for same . The soothing vocals from Victony is stellar and the track shows all qualities of a super mega hit .
12. Money and Laughter ft Amaarae & Zamir: Another slow tempo , proper Alte track featuring Alte artistes Amaarae and Zamir . Money and Laughter is a track title that correlates with the track theme. The trio talks about making money and serenading their partners with laughter on this feel good , laid back and slow tempo track .

13 . Abracadabra ft Mr Eazi & Davido – The Genio Bambio produced track was the first single off the album . The album featured DMW helmsman , Davido and Empawa boss , Mr Eazi . The track has some Caribbean and dancehall feel to it . The featured artistes delivered stellar verses on the joint . The vidoe of the song has over 1 million views on YouTube.

14. Action Boyz ft ObongJayar :On Action boyz ft ObongJayar , the artistes brag about their level of influence and swag . They chant action boyz as there is no dull moment with them . Another track fully in the Alte element .

15. Gbagada Express – A proper Afrobeats track and potential monster hit . I feel this track should have been the intro for the album . BOJ talks about racism and enjoying life on this track .He sings that no one is better than him just because of the colour of his skin. He beckons on the listeners to follow him on the ride and enjoy life . The beat , lyrics and vocal delivery are superb and really amazing . A very delightful track .

16. Your Love ( Mogbe) ft Tiwa savage – This track was made for the Afro nation music festival . The song features Afrobeats Queen , Tiwa savage . The track talks about love and making their relationship works . A stellar efforts from both acts .


CONCLUSION

The album performs excellently well in terms of Production . The producers came correct on the instrumentals for the different genres of music housed on the album . Mixing and mastering is also excellently done so you can be assured of a wonderful sound experience while listening to this project .

The theme of the album covers the subject of romance , party life , hustle and money . BOJ also does excellently well with the lyrics which is not typical of a Nigerian album .Relatable lines and theme related lyrical delivery . The versatility of BOJ is evidently displayed as he switches between Alte , Afrobeats , Dance Hall, Trap, Palmwine Music and Afropop on this project .

For the track arrangement , I feel Gbagada express should have been the opening track on the album . The track would have set the tone for the album and would have been the perfect intro . The Tracks are short which gives room for more replay value .

Gbagada express , Awolowo remix , Unconsciously, Lekki Love and Owo ni koko are potential monster hits .

By the way , why is Ajebutter not on the Album BOJ ? Lol .

All in All, Gbagada Express is a great body of work from BOJ and gives credence to his claim as a pioneer of the alternative music genre in Nigeria . We won’t be surprised if the album picks up multiple Nominations especially for the alternative music and Afropop categories

Source : https://olaoluwaidowu.org/blog/2022/04/28/boj-gbagada-express-album-review/

Cc lalasticlala

Cc lalasticlala