Not so sure how to start, but think of this as a redemption for the shortcomings I’ve had as an aspiring culture journo who has had an underwhelming year in entertainment journalism. Unlike my brother and one of my ogas in this space, I’ve been able to listen to quite a number of 2024 Afrobeats projects but that has just been it – as opposed to me extending my love or obeisance towards penning down a review.
Certain excerpts – particularly the first paragraph – from Note XXIII and The Reality of Survival in Med School made me 1. Question quite a few 2. Realise how jealousy ranks top of the attributes of studying medicine and 3. Wonder what could have been if it had not been medicine. But hey, that’s not the point here. Unlike the way it ended at rinsing and repeating for quite a number of wholesome projects in 2024, Lungu Boy will have some paragraphs in review of it. Also, unlike the fashion and depth with which I reviewed Work of Art, this is going to be a one-listen review of Mr. Money’s third studio LP.
But first things first, all protocols duly observed. These protocols being; paying homage to the ones before me, acknowledging their prowess, and moreso admission to their contribution to the industry.
For emphasis’s sake, this is a one-listen review of the tracks on Lungu Boy, and a shot at no skips, forwards, rewinds, but just pauses. (shout-out to Dion.)
Let’s start with track one…Start.
Start
Asa’s Eyé Àdabá is definitely popping up if you shazam Start – that AI doesn’t have patience. That interpolation wasn’t something I saw coming. The transition at the middle – exact half – of the song too was brilliant. Asake’s entrance? Typical Mr. Money on album intros. You just know this is another serious business album. P.Priime’s execution in the background of Asake’s verse could be worth a discussion.
MMS
P.Priime again? Not surprised. Asake customarily references his Maker; this time, His Omniscience. The first verse screams growth and finding a niche in the industry. And Wiz, in the second verse, acknowledges how long it’s been in the game and how Morayo, his mother, leaving him is best known to God.
The beat in this second track already communicates why Wizkid had to be on it. Recent Wiz on mid-tempo beats is a cheat. I could hear some saxophonic genius in the background too. This even seems more like Wiz meeting Asake in his Ototo or Nzaza mood. Beautiful chemistry, but can’t really tell if one bodied the other.
Mood
Okay, I think this started more like a relatively groovy track. Conversely, it talks about the different moods Asake swings into, and how people can misinterpret that for something else. That thing where people turn a sad/reflective song to a tiktok challenge, I think the beat will be responsible for this if Mood turns out to be such a song. I don’t know what language Asake spoke in the second verse, maybe my cue to take Duolingo seriously – seems like Spanish though. Amapiano is existent in this production.
My Heart
The ‘humming’ at the beginning communicated solemnity, for the lack of a better word if any exists. This is the first love song on the album, and a proper appraisal of his woman. What a finished Lungu Boy! The uncredited vocals on the chorus are so soothing. Beat transitions, slick. It’s only right that the song ended with that chorus; I can imagine trying to live vicariously through Asake’s appraisal. Not me though, I have a woman, but you get me? Yeah.
Worldwide
What’s an Asake’s verse without some sprinkle of lamba? The infusion in his blend of traditional and contemporary music is almost a signature thing at this point. At some point in the lamba spittin, I had to be sure that this is P.Priime again, and behold, the legendary SARZ! He did something with the bass drums there, ethereal! Can I hold on to these ‘no rewinds’ because this is crazy. While Asake did his thing, making some public announcement and clearing the casuals on such a sweet melody, SARZ took the shine here, I’m sorry.
Active
The way this song started? I can’t put it into words. SARZ and this beat again, what a man! The Jazzman Olofin’s Raise Da Roof sample by Adewale Ayuba was beautiful. Travis Scott on Amapiano? Olúwa. He slid in and out quite well, kudos to the production team. Asake’s outro man.
Suru (feat. Stormzy)
Mr. Money quickly borrowed Zino’s ‘My Mama tell me say’. Stormzy’s entrance was very pleasing without making it off. I don’t even think there’s any NG/UK collab that’s ‘off’. Both referenced their mothers, and I’m thinking, why not ‘Mama’ as the title? The talking drum at the end of the song as Stormzy wraps up with a few bars was so homely.
Skating
Now I think what I need is a lesson on the distinction between a P.Priime produced track and a Sarz produced track. Skating gives off braggadocio, an unrepentant one at that. Maybe upon multiple listens, the ‘skating’ reference can become clearer. Asake did a good one on the beat though.
Wave
It’s funny how this is the first time I listened to this song since it dropped. Quite embarrassing for an aspiring culture journo, innit? From the introduction, Magicsticks told me to hold, this isn’t P.Priime again. I think this is also the first song I can hear the ‘Ololade mi Asake’ tagline in the same voice and manner from his previous projects.
Central Cee gbemidebe for real; the chemistry was evident. It felt like Mr. Money was wary of Cench bodying him; man gave Cench like 40 seconds in a 3-minute song.
Mentally
Asake probably met Sarz and said ‘this particular track, na lamba I wan just dey fire on top the beat’. It’s more like a lifestyle exhibition for the world to see. From Cincinnati to Abu Dhabi? Mr. Money indeed.
Uhh Yeahh
The title is my first attraction. Uhh Yeahh ke? This seems like a certified club banger, ladies and gentlemen. I won’t be surprised if he recorded this in the same session with Mentally. That moment where you are almost tipsy and S beat transitions to this at Westside, you have to be there. If Asake was supposedly high while recording this, I won’t even argue. Man was just flowing like he wasn’t on earth with mortals.
I Swear
I think this is the record where Saxophone had the most influence. Asake just wants to live, flex life, be with the girls, stay high, drink up, and do so much more. The Arabic citation at the end almost always comes easy for him regardless of whatever beat he is on. He still reiterated how he’s the catch, home and abroad. Oh, to be Mr. Money right now.
Ligali
I like this track; it is in fact very catchy. The call and response (I don’t know if that’s the right term) thing he did with the trumpeter is very sweet. It almost feels like Asake is unapologetic about stating how his reality is now far different from the normal. Stardom must have done a thing or two on this brother. On Mentally, he moved from Cincinnati to Abu Dhabi, and now he says if you are looking for him, pull up at Cali, in Colombia. Like say na Yaba to Jibowu.
Whine
The beginning sounded like songs from a particular region, I couldn’t picture it in my head as I listened. Another love song, but this time with a guest appearance, Ludmilla. She ate with her verse, perfectly complementary with the song’s theme. I would need to listen repeatedly to have more to say.
Fuji Vibe
Finally! This is probably the only track that I’ve rinsed from the snippets of his performances at shows. Adding it as a bonus track to this album felt like a ‘make I just give this people make dem allow me rest’ thing. Fuji Asake? In the words of the great Vhiz, you will be doing me a great disservice if you hesitate to bring. The production is nostalgic; same with the recording. I won’t mind a few more tracks in this fashion. This is the longest track on the album, a bonus indeed just like Wiz Party on the Superstar album. The dancy tune in the second half of the song will serve proper purposes at Owanbes following this album release, please be there.
A few more general thoughts and final words…
Overall, it’s an amazing body of work, one expected to spark controversial conversations for the next couple of months. Has he just completed a trifecta with his first three studio-length albums? Might need a few more listens to have an opinion. Ideally, this should be an extensive piece analysing many more deep things, but the current race against time – and academics – is very crazy. I also think there are a few more sampling and interpolations I didn’t pick during my first listen. And yes, the shot at one-listens without skips, forwards, and rewinds stretched me. The temptation was crazy, but I pulled through. Asake is making a statement with Lungu Boy. The production is insane from P.Priime, Sarz, Magicsticks, SAK PASE, Mike Dean, and etc. He is still giving us some poetic lines and lamba on Amapiano. I didn’t notice the songwriting credits but Olamide Baddo is hiding somewhere behind the making of some tracks, I can feel it. Maybe you can too.
Peter Adeyemo.
