We Plug to You... Naeto C - Super C Season

Ladies and Gentlemen, I had so much ear candy over the weekend and I have decided to purge it all out in todays article. Last week I was blessed with the opportunity to listen to this album and I am uber-ecstatic that I can "share my blessings" (hint hint) with you guys. This week's feature is on critically acclaimed Nigerian rapper Naeto C... Some of you may already know who he is but for those who have no idea let me give you a little bit of info on him.

Naeto C (real name: Naetochukwu Chikwe) is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist & record producer. Naeto grew up in a household heavily influenced by music which saw his penchant for music grow very fast and articulate into other creative art forms, most specifically poetry. This in turn took him to various talent showcases and earned him numerous accolades as a young poet - he states that his main inspiration is Jay-Z.

This next song you are about to listen to and also the first song on his latest 17-track album is titled "Super C Season" and this song is the perfect intro to the album of the same name. On this song, he doesn't really say much but just brags about his wealth and the fact that he's got no competition and I truly believe he's earned those bragging rights. This is really just a typical rap song, nothing serious but nevertheless it has got some witty lines you should look out for. Every rapper has a song like this on their album and this is one of my favourites.

 "You wanna know my P? Well here's an invite to find out"

 

This next Song "Ride with Me" features Britain's very own Sway and Jamaica's Lukie D, the record is mixture of Hip-Hop and R&B with Lukie D taking the hook with Sway and Naeto C taking turns on the verses.. This is one of them laid-back records with a chilled beat that you can just bob your head to or a song you can listen to while driving and thinking of that person/people that you know will ride it out with you. Naeto Talks about how he needs true love and how he needs a girl thats not all about the money but a girl that would "ride with him" till the end but just like a real rapper, still manages to talk about his swaggg...  

"I don't brag on the first night...I let the pounds show on the first night"..

 

The next song is titled "Share My Blessings". A refreshing addition to this track is Nigerian soul singer Asa who gives an amazing and emotional vocal performance. The brilliant use of 808s on the song also bring it to life but Asa's voice just leaves me speechless and I just can't imagine this song without Asa on it. Her vocals give the song the perfect balance it needs. This is one of the best songs on this album and one of the best collaborations in Nigerian music so far. "Share My Blessings" was produced by TY Mix and it sees Naeto C take you on an epiphany of losing a friend, the importance of family and friends and extending your blessings to your loved ones.

                     "Keep your loved ones close cos they don't live twice"

 

Naeto C should be commended for making an album that people in his position rarely make which is an album that conveys his personal feelings through his music. Artists of his status would rather hide behind the mask that is their celebrity, leaving us - the listeners - with music that lacks thought and honesty. Honesty, which can be found on Naeto C's SUPER C SEASON. Buy this album, listen and love it because this is some quality G.O.O.D music!

Purchase: Naeto C - Super C Season (iTunes) // (Amazon)

Until the Next Time...

It's Max 

We Plug 2 You... ASA - Beautiful Imperfection

This is a long over-due feature and after I am done, you will see why I still felt the need to share this with you, 3 months later. Some of you may already know this artist, dare I say you should and for some, she will be totally new, so let me give you a little bit of background info.

ASA is a Singer/Songwriter (Government name: Bukola Elemide) who was born in Paris, France and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. It was while in Nigeria, that she started singing and discovered music but it was not until she moved back to Paris during her adult life, that she found and formed her musical style. Her Musical influences include Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Rafel Saadiq as well as Angelique Kidjo and you can actually tell  from her songs that she does not just say this. So when we say ASA's music is a fusion of Pop, Soul, R&B, World, Funk & Reggae, it is exactly that, all beautifully sung in Yoruba and English. 

I must confess that I was not a fan of her début self-titled album 'Asa (Asha)', there was just something missing that I could not quite place my finger on, although I could not deny how beautiful and soulful her voice was. With her sophomore album 'Beautiful Imperfection' which came out last October in Europe & Africa and is soon to be released in the UK & US, I must say I am quite flawed. It's everything working well together; her sound, the music, the elements of live music, the well thought out lyrics, the story in every song and the emotions they evoke. This album is bright and happy while still remaining soulful. I give this album a 9/10 without question. But I'm rambling on, you listen for yourself.

  

This first song is titled 'Maybe' and I absolutely love it. I love the blend of Acoustic Pop and Soul music; the lush piano chords and the soft guitar riffs; the drums patterns and the perfectly arranged backing vocals. This song is simply beautiful and it gives you so much assurance and inner peace, well it gives me so much assurance and inner peace anyway. Add that amazing voice and what she is saying on the record into the mix and you can't help but fall in love with this song.

            "I'm gonna be myself, and nobody can, nobody can stop me. I'll finally be, who I'll be"

  

This second song is titled 'Dreamer Girl (Have You Ever Heard)' on which she encourages you to dream, because maybe someday, that elusive day we all hope for (like when I win the lottery and become a millionaire) will eventually come to pass. Asa's stripped-down acoustic sound really shines through on this and the melody of this song is without question the best on the album. This song is actually my personal favourite, primarily because I can relate. As with this one, quite a lot of songs on this album are very relatable and on songs like 'Bimpe' and 'Ore', you almost think this might be a personal story for her.

"You might think, that she is a bit naive when she says that someday she'll be queen. Is it impossible, is it a crime or is it a silly state of mind"

This next song is called 'Baby Gone' and it's four heavenly minutes of Blues-infused slow tempo guitar-driven soul music. I love this song especially because it's from the perspective of a woman who's lost her significant other and desperately wants him back, usually it's the other way round with the male character wanting the woman back so it's good to hear the contrast. This song is so raw, brutally honest and very sad, it's hard not to appreciate this. Asa's voice, the musical arrangements and harmonies evoke so much passion and the pain in this song resonates with me. Can I just say mention the violin solo from 2:30 minutes? Mentioned...

            "I wish I kissed you deeper, can we find a way? A way. My baby is gone, gone, gone"

  

  

Lastly and not in the least by any chance, I thought I ought to share a more upbeat song to end things just right.  A little less up-beat than the official lead single for the album 'Be Your Man' but equally as happy is the very catchy summery tune, 'Why Can't We'. This definitely makes you want to move your feet, the way only a good Pop song can make you do. I love the horns & drums combination on this one, they give the song so much energy just at the right moments and it reminds me of a Disney song and a Jack Johnson song all at the same time if that's even possible. Very enjoyable!

"What is life about? Did nobody tell you. The reason why I ask, I can see you are so confused. You worry much about the things you cannot see. You have it all with your money, you still complain"

  

This album is as perfect as they come. I did not skip a single track on this record and I suspect you wouldn't either. Even if you do not understand the songs in Yoruba, I am sure that the melodies, harmonies of the songs and the quality of music on 'Beautiful Imperfection' will keep you listening. ASA's voice is soooo beautiful and you'll find yourself in a very peaceful place when you listen to this album so I encourage you to definitely purchase this album at the jump.

Asa's Beautiful Imperfection is released in the UK on the 4th of April, 2011 and in America during the Fall.

Purchase: Asa - Beautiful Imperfection (iTunes France // Amazon Germany)

Keep Tabs on Asa: Facebook // Twitter // Website

Till Next Time

Peace, Love and Good Music

Neefemi