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| OBO vs ODOGWU |
( 5 DETAILS ABOUT BOTH ALBUMS )
This year has been pretty interesting as two great names in Nigeria, Africa and the world released albums that had everyone talking eversince. Though we are far from doing a rating, this write-up is more of an analysis on the depth of both albums, while we leave you to decide the rest. These are 5 details about Davido "Timeless" album and Burna Boy "I Told Them" album.
1- ALBUM TITLES (TIMELESS/I TOLD THEM)
The title "TIMELESS" is like an affirmation. That of an artiste who believes he still got a lot to give despite the adversity. This means the artiste is far from being a history, but still believe he is a force to reckon with. On the otherhand, "I TOLD THEM" title feels like a reminder. That of someone conscious of a path before they started creating and today they here like, "don't forget I told you earlier".
2- MOOD OF THE ARTISTES
On "Timeless", Davido is coming back from a tough moment in his life. A moment plagued by the lost of his son and a lot of controversy going on in the industry about him. He is coming back with a mindset of someone not ready to quit.
Burna Boy on the otherhand stands like a prophet who is pointing at a prophecy confirmation. More like "It happened as predicted". His mood is that of accomplishment, disappointment and is dedicated to some icons and influences, while taking a shot at those who slept on him.
3- THEMATIC COHERENCE
We must admit both albums are coming from personal experience and point of view. Davido is in the mindset of a conqueror and that can be felt through songs like Over Dem, No Competition, Ei Pain Me, Away, Godfather. This album is an expression of pain and at the same time an armor that covers his courage as someone not ready to give up. He also drifts into some themes revolving around love.
Burna Boy is in the mindset of domination. He is at the top of his "form" as he believes he is "on top of the world". Though as big as a big 7 and living the large life of a City Boy, he believes not everyone appreciates his efforts as he "Thanks" those who doubted him and don't understand him. He precises how much of a "jewel" he is and as the truth, he can't be "lying". To end it, you might just be standing against a "Taliban" if you coming at him (JUST don't have to retreat). He also dedicates this work to those that influenced him like Virgil Abloh and the Wu-tang Clan.
4- SOUNDS AND INFLUENCES
Both albums have a wide range of music influences. Davido on Timeless is more Afropop oriented with huge influences from South African sounds like the Amapiano. Davido is melodious with more catchy hooks and this is felt on songs like Away, Over dem, Away, Unavailable, Ei Pain Me, Champion Sound, etc. Davido on Timeless is commercially oriented, though we must admit a huge touch of melancholy as he pours his heart out on a variety of songs. Davido featuring Skepta also takes a stroll around Hip Hop. He praises the South Africans and shows admiration for Sauti Sol. Dancehall melody is also felt on it.
Burna Boy is more Hip Hop oriented on ITT, though it matches his "Afrofusion" vision which opens up on the exploration of other music genres. Songs like Sitting on top of the world, Big 7, Cheat on Me, City Boys, Normal, and others are Hip Hop oriented. He also touches Dancehall on Tested, Approved and Trusted, Dey Play, Talibans II. He goes emotional on an acoustic on "If I'm lying", while making sure Afrobeat ain't left out in Thanks featuring J. COLE and Giza, where he flows on Fuji featuring SEYI VIBEZ. Burna Boy doesn't leave out the importance of sampling and interludes as done on original classic Hip Hop albums.
5- APPRECIATION
Davido's "Timeles" is very explicit. Very easy to understand and even from the sonic experience, you can feel the mood of the artiste, especially with what he was going through before the album release.There is a good flow from song to song and though it starts in an almost melancholic state, it ends with celebration as songs like "Champion Sound" changes the mood for the listener. Davido's Timeless carries more hits as it has always been the vision of the artiste to be a hitmaker and his past record says it all. His album has 17 tracks.
Burna Boy's "I TOLD Them" gives a different feeling at every step. His lyrical dexterity takes you into a deeper stands of what he is really about. Burna approaches music like a rapper who got so many ways of seducing a listener with his flow. His ability to switch accents also plays a huge role in his storytelling. Burna starts the album with the prophecy confirmation "I Told Them", then in the middle, he switches to his current state of a winner and what the people think about him. He then ends the album with his personal opinion. His album is carefully designed. ITT has 15 tracks.
Just as we said earlier, this album analysis is not a rating on who is better than the other. We are just opening up on the content of both albums. It is left to you to express which one you loved the most and why. This should not come with disrespect for another because we still believe both albums have great content and different goals. Which is your favorite?
Courtesy: Glam Media
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