So, has the season changed or is the Season.. Off? Naeto Chikwe aka Naeto C recently dropped his second album under the label Storm 360 and Cerious music. This piece has been in the works for a long time. The album titled, Super C Season had received an overwhelming hype on most of the Social Networks including Twitter and Facebook. We all know Naeto C for the lingo, Yess Boss! and the Swag that goes with it but was this album enough to change the weather?. I do not to compare an artiste's album with older works so I will leave that to you. Has the Season Changed or do you prefer Naeto C's previous album?
Track Review..
Track 1: Super C Season..produced by Sarz
I have listened to this piece several times and it still feels something is missing in this intro.. The intro of an album is supposed to make a statement about the whole album and I expected something more special for the first track of such an anticipated album. The initial lines like ‘look in the sky, it’s a bird it’s a plane.. No, it’s Super C and the levels don change’ were creative and tried to tell the story of the album but was not catchy enough. Subsequently lines like "Am Insane Amy Winehouse, U Want A Drink? I've Got A Wine House....Enough Free Shacks To Make Ur Memory Wipe 0ut" were on point. The song had creativity I will give it that especially with the twenty one "gbosa" concept on the final verse but in general, the song did not complement all the hype and Season change I expected.
Track 2: True (dem no fit do am)... produced by Dokta Frabz
Dokta Frabz was precise in the production and Naeto C did not disappoint, he flowed on the beat. The synchronization between the lyrics and the beats was near perfect. Very Smooth. The Rhyme fused with the lyrics also "Baby, tonite We doing Bespoke, My life is different now cos I'm Less Broke, Your boy be flowing like water, calling me Breastroke". This was original Naeto C, dem no fit do am like him. I feel Omawumi struggled with cohesion throughout her verses especially with her final verse. Nice song though.
Track 3: Ako mi ti poju (extended version)... produced by Dokta Frabz
Okay, we have all probably heard this one, the normal version without DaGrin. This song was all about the beats, no story, just rhyme.. The song won several nominations and awards when it was released as a single previously. What I like about this song is the technicality and production. He wasn't really saying anything but the beats by Dokta Frabz made the song. It also has a very good video to go with it. The late DaGrin killed the extension with his characteristic Yoruba rap style which we all knew him for. God Bless his soul.
Track 4: Carry your shoulder... produced by Tee-Y mix
This song tells a story which is the one of the qualities of a very good piece. In this song, he tells a story about his progress in life. The lesson to be learnt is just two words "Be Inspired" According to Naeto C, forming is allowed, even phoney. He also teaches us how to pronounce "Tufiakwa" in Queen's English.. lol. If you listen carefully though, this track is an inspirational song. Original Naeto C and flowing beats by the one and only Tee-Y mix.
Track 5: Ride tonite... produced by SoSick
The beat makes the song feel so American and guess what, SoSick can sing!. Legendary producer turn singer isn't bad at all when it comes to being an artiste. The cohesion between Naeto C's style and the beats and lyrics of Esosa Douglas aka Sosick was a perfect match. Great collaboration. This was another original Naeto C and it is one of my picks for the song of the album.
Track 6: Skimpololo... produced by Terry G
For Terry G fanatics, a great piece but For others, an #Fail. Having a track produced by Terry G is not a must and honestly, this track is like trying to mix oil and water, it does not flow. The contrasting styles is just too obvious. Its like a forced attempt. Naeto C tried to save it "Skimpololo, Wanna see you wine your tinkololo ..." but the energy of Terry G's style was obviosuly too much for him and took a toll on his usually meaningful lyrics.. "I don't speak French, so make we french kiss" huh? Was that a line by the Naeto C we are used to? YQ was a bit more composed though. The beats by Terry were as good as that of Free Madness but the collabo was poor. In summary, energy yes, but Terry and Naeto, C'mon, no cohesion, poor technicality and just the off track in the album. Qualifies for worst song of the album. Press skimp skip please.
Track 7: Duro... produced by Dokta Frabz
Girls, girls, girls.. This is the song about them.. When I heard this track for the first time, I thought it was YQ's song. I feel Naeto C was suffocated by his fellow Storm representa with his smooth flowing voice. Dokta Frabz was on point with the beats but part of the lyrics lacked originality. The whole "Champagne and Campaign" line is now so common both with indigenous and foreign artistes.. He dropped points on originality with the use of that line/rhyme.. No story, just fancy, nice collabo, nice beats, nice song.
Track 8: Afuru'm gi nanya (i luv u)... produced by Tee-Y mix
Now onto the love song of the album. When you listen to "Do Me" by P Square, "Thief My Kele" by Banky W and the more recent "One Naira" by M.I (All featuring Waje), I expected something special or even similar to these hit songs especially with the talented Waje on the track. Waje was okay but Naeto C didnt put enough on this track to make it a hit. His Igbo was lacking that smoothness, likeness and harmony to the ears that is usually associated with Igbo luv songs. Maybe he was still forming from the previous track "Carry your shoulder". Waje did most of the work on this track. Conclusion, a bit flat.
Track 9: 5 & 6... produced by Tee-Y mix
Another love song. From the title, I expected a more comprehensive act. I expected a love story to be told. Tee-Y mix's production was okay as usual, the chorus was okay but the song was also flat.
Track 10: Ten Over Ten... produced by Tee-Y mix
A club banger, arguably the hit song of the album. Original Naeto C. The cohesion was tight, the synchronization of the voice and the beats was on point. Like the title, a ten over ten piece. Tee-Y mix showed why he is one of the best in Naija with this one and Naeto C was on point in his lyrics. Originality, so Super C with lyrics like "Levels don change now, they cant hold me again cos I'm Ten over Ten". The Chorus was hot and the rap was even hotter. "I do like a maggi cube, spice up your life" Lyrics 100%, Originality 100%, Beats 100%.. Have you seen the video..? 100% too. Rating 10 over 10 Shikena.
Track 11: Deja Vu (our drinks)... produced by Ikon
Nice concept although I could easily compare Naeto C to Drake on this track especially with the first line. This song is all about rhyme and it lacked the usual originality of Naeto C "But I'm G4 gone, and the C4, blown, G5 memory so so cold" There was a soothing feel to the song though, thanks to the production of Ikon who is fast becoming one of the best producers in the industry today. An okay attempt. Can't still figure if he was trying to tell a story or just rhyming but i wish he shoots a video for the song that would be something to watch if he does.
Track 12: Share My Blessings.. produced by Tee-Y mix
A great and emotional song.. previously released as a single. This song tells a story! Naeto C talks about how "Tomorrow May be too late" and how we should keep that special person or friend in our lives close 'cos no one lives twice. Share My Blessings is one of my favorite tracks on the album and the song was blessed by the heavenly voice of Asa. Her talents were so obvious and it could only be her that could be featured on such a emotional and heavenly track. Original Naeto Lyrics like "I dont need a new cut to feel level headed" blended smoothly with Asa's Style. Nice one.
Track 13: Voodoo... produced by Sarz
Sarz was so accomplished on the beat, no wonder he is called Sarz on the Beat. The track has a nice flow. the lyrics and beats combination was smooth and lyrics like "Fake Love is worse than Hate" made the song! Naeto C talks about one important aspect of life on this track, Karma. And how it balances everything and every wrong.
Track 14: C me finish... produced by Tee-Y mix
Fast paced.. great song. Naeto was original as usual and the lyrics and cohesion between beats and voice was great. "Like 7up, the difference is clear". Super C can keep on "drinking Rozay like its Zobo" they can't c him finish.
Bonus Tracks..
In Ride with me, produced by foreign producer, Pierre Boot, I expected more, especially with the inclusion of UK based Ghanaian Konvict artiste, Sway.. This one was below average. A bit flat but Naeto's verse was okay and smooth. I didnt even notice the other guy, Lukie D I think . The other Bonus tracks, Ex-Girlfriend produced by Dokta Frabz and Gidi is mine produced by VC Perez were equally flat. In Ex-Girlfriend, bars like "Keep your windows open like a PC" weren't matched with the Chorus by Dokta Frabz.. A far cry from the Ride tonite track done with producer/singer, SoSick.
Naeto C's album was a great compilation but I feel it did not meet up to the hype. It was a grossly overhyped work of art. When it comes to the lyrical aspect of music, everyone would probably agree that Naeto C is even smoother than the smoothest criminal and his flow has got swag. His originality and style are always on point but certain collabos like the Terry G combo were a turn off on this great compilation. However, other tracks like Ten over Ten which was a ten over ten piece and Share My Blessings were blessings to the album.
Originality 4/5
Cohesion 3/5
Technicality 5/5
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