- ‘Son of Chike’ mainly explored the themes of love and cultural identity
- The album features Olamide, Ladipoe, Qing Madi and Amaeya.
- However, the body of art, as impressive as it is, doesn't come close to the singer’s debut ‘Boo of the Booless’
It may not be out of place to say there are few melodious vocalists like Chike Osebuka, who can take the theme of ‘love’ and mould it creatively like a potter - into captivating and emotional art.
On his third album, Son of Chike, a 12-track album released on July 19, Chike skillfully blends emotional R&B, heartfelt ballads, and vibrant Afropop. He honours his Igbo heritage, as seen in his cover art, and delves heavily into the themes of love and identity.
31-year-old Chike, before the release of Son of Chike, via his X (formerly Twitter) page, noted that the album was inspired by the need to make sense of his feelings - which he described as a collage of experiences and feelings.
The serenader, as he describes himself, mixes his endearing vocals with African genres, beats and drums to create a beautiful music experience for listeners. However, Boo of the Booless might remain Chike’s most ‘goated’ album as his third album Son of Chike fails to displace it.
Notably, ‘Boo of the Booless’ won the ‘Album of the Year’ by City People Music Awards in 2020. It was also nominated in the same category for The Headies. Indeed, it was a debut that recognized the uniqueness of Chike’s talent and art.
Reviewing Chike’s ‘Son of Chike’ album
The album kicks off with Chike, who participated in the Voice Nigeria to win second place, in his first track ‘Unto you’ featuring Ladipoe. The RnB mid-paced tempo flows emotionally to talk about the theme of love. It tells about an unrequited love. It is the irony that sometimes you give so much for love but get nothing in return. Despite the hurt that comes with it, he says he is ready to keep showing love because it's impossible for him not to. When you give me hate, I go deg show you love. Ladipoe came through with his lyrical bars to further make the track energetic and deep in storytelling.
‘Egwu’ an Igbo word that translates to ‘Dance’ is the second track on the ‘Son of Chike’ album. The hit track, featuring Mohbad, also pays tribute to the late singer. The groovy song despite its happy tune prompts a sad nostalgia and emotions for listeners as they reflect on the life of Mohbad before he died. The lyrics are quite relatable and incorporate indigenous Igbo and Afrobeats elements that captivates listeners. The track, released in 2023 made Chike win his first chart-topping single TurnTable Top in 2024. Since its release, ‘Egwu’ has continued to enjoy commercial acclaim and acceptance.
'Son of Chike' tracklist
To love me, love me like say I be the only one Wey you fit love for your lifetime. Chike seeks commitment from his lover in the bouncy and upbeat ‘Lifetime love.’ He asks for a love that stands the test of time - lasting forever. ‘Apple’ explores a similar love story; here, Chike, rather than seek, promises to love his lover and hold her dear through thick or thin. ‘No matter how e be, na you be the apple of my eyes.
On ‘Nma’ meaning ‘Beauty’ and ‘Ego Oyibo’ translating to ‘foreign money,’ Chike experimented with Igbo Highlife sounds to serenade the beauty of his lovers. ‘Ego Oyibo’ highlighted the love in a long-distance relationship. His rendition to his foreign lover captured the phrase ‘love knows no colour/race.’ ‘Someone’ and ‘Not your Daddy’ delved into unrequited love and the heartbreak that comes with it. ‘Balance am’ touched on righting wrongs in love. "I've done so many wrongs. I just wanna do some right," he says to take responsibility for his actions.
Chike’s collaboration with Qing Madi on ‘Your loss’ is memorable. Driven by the message of moving on, nothing less was expected from the two vocalists. While Olamide delivered on his legendary rap bars on ‘One day,’ the collaboration, however, leaves an indifferent impression - a struggle between deciding if it could have been better or it just wasn't it.
‘Son of Chike’ closes with ‘Man not God’ with a slow-paced rhythm that questions why men always feel power drunk, forgetting that they are not God. It recognises God’s supremacy as the one who has the final say in a man’s life - not a mere man. The album is a rollercoaster ride of emotions revolving mainly around love. Yes, it is beautiful but it doesn't come close to the experience that Boo of the Booless gave listeners - especially being lyrically grounded and hard to skip any track.
Album Review: “HEIS” is Rema’s monotonous outburst for recognition
Earlier, TheRadar reviewed Rema’s album, which was released on July 11. Although it heralded an evolution in the 24-year-old's artistic journey, it signalled a monotonous outburst to seek recognition.
Considering the title of the album and its meaning, Rema, born Divine Ikubor, made a rather bold declaration of himself as “number one” in the music game - which is sure to be contested.
