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Payback tyme Records: Magazine articles |
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A truly Nigerian manifestation |
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Album Tittle:
Tha Rapmanifestation While the intro to this album may be bland to some extent, the unsuspecting first-time listener is immedaitely launched, rudely, into an experience that is definately rude. Rude? Well, that is the Rapman's modus operandi. This young man's artistic technique is so natural, fiery and extremely complelling. he sounds like you roommate during your university days and your angry kid brother, all at the same time. Unlike your brother and your roommate, however, Terry has a lot to tell you in a large chunk of this brillant album's 12 songs. Most 'Nigerian' hip-hop artists always follow a set pattern, spitting out clumsy raps while a vocalist suplies the obligatory pidgin-English chorus and that is it! Terry follows the bandwagon in that respect, but tunes in only on that basic idea. he ditches all inhabition as he flows from one track to the other, one issue after the next. Clearly an artist in every senseof the word, he blends social issues of various magnitudes with entertainment and the result is this beautiful album. The radio-favorite 'I am a Nigerian', in which he samples Eminem's 'My Name is' has to be the most honest, direct and scathing commentary on the contemporary Nigerian citizen as seen both in the media and the international community. The track carries with it a heart felt sad-but-true demeanour, begging us to laugh at the flaws which should make us cry. he suceeds, too. The earnest disgust he voices out on materialistic women (another favorite topic for Nigerian hip-hop artist) is further driven home by the sultry vocals of the incredibly gifted Jida'ah, a young lady obviously destined for lofty heights in the industry, not to mention a very powerful turn by guest-rapper Solo Dee, all in the playable 'money hungry chicks' The last track on the album, the aptly tittled 'Nigerian Z', haunts like a soulful, old classic. On this, Terry Tha Rapman teams with yet another rising star, AT thier collaboration is seamless, technically or otherwise, a match made in the Nigerian hip-hop heaven. The song projects emotions like apin, self pity, lamentation and sometimes even anger. Terry and AT are so in-synch here, they actually invoke goose bumps. Like he so adequately spat in one of his tracks 'you wan try?' Poor tracks are rare in this album, but the few include '419 state of mind', in which he spot on critisim of past dictatorships fails woefully. Another is 'Partnerz in Rhyme', where even a stellar list of guest ( six foot plus, mode 9, Jida'ah ) fails to redeem the track. Terry tha Rapman's The Rapmanifestation does what it promises to do and even more. The energetic rapper manages to cover topic like corruption, religious bigotory, educational malpractices, national pride and sometimes even love. in the colourful collage of his lyrical power, the listener is drawn in, playfully into serious arena. Which is exactly what Nigerians need at times like this, and Terry so willingly provides in his own stylish manner. Obnoxious is the lyrical mode, more so on his well designed album-sleeve, the Rapman pouts in a devil-may-care stance worthy of the potent content of his debutalbum. If what 'Manifestation ' contains is the indication of what we are to expect from Terry, then this young man is definately headed up, way up. Hit Tracks: Track 3, Track 4, Track 8, Track 12 Bottom line: absolutely a milestone in the Nigerian hip-hop industry, this is a worthy addition to any discerning listener's collection.
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