Blaqbonez delivers lukewarm performance on Mr Boombastic

The EP tolls the easy path between singing and rapping and is more dancehall than a rap album.

‘Run My Race’ ushers us into the album with Blaqbonez singing about his rap career, bragging about reviving Nigerian hip hop and how disparagers are telling him that he is nothing but a flash in the pan. ‘Boombastic’ features the funny and self-proclaimed moral instructor Falz. It is an average song with a melodious guitar synth.

The album’s lead single ‘Shut Up' is a message to sceptics who doubt Blaqbonez’ ability as a rapper. The song starts off thumping and flamboyant but evolves into being half-hearted and flaccid. Although it has an avant-garde visual directed by iconoclast TG Omori, it still fails to impress.

‘Magic’ aptly features rapper Black Magic. It has a delicious, banging and grooving beat but, again, Blaqbonez delivers a feeble verse, his auto-tuned voice almost obscuring his expression. Fortunately Black Magic saves the song by delivering a mild, charming verse.

‘Come for You’ explains how some people have been complaining about Blaqbonez on social media, advising him how to live his life and do his music. ‘Promo’ sees Blaqbonez reminiscing about his humble beginnings, how he used to save money in a piggy bank. But things have changed, he is now a made man, his money is elevating him to a higher status. Even though some people still doubt his ability as a rapper, he promises not to pay them any attention.

Instead of putting more effort into this project to elevate him to the status of the 'Best Rapper in Africa', a title he so much covets, Blaqbonez waters down his rap and gives us pap. And though the album has a few highlights ‘Boombastic’ featuring Falz, ‘Magic’ featuring Black Magic, and ‘Come for You’ – the other tracks are plagued by Blaqbonez’s uninspired lyrics and delivery.

But in spite of his wishy-washy songwriting, he did come up with some bang-up beats.

Artist: Blaqbones
Album: Mr Boombastic
Year: 2019
Label: Chocolate City