Asake finally gives an insight into his sound with MMWTV

YBNL talent Nigerian singer and songwriter, Asake finally released his highly anticipated debut album titled "Mr Money With The Vibes." The album consists of 12 solid tracks featuring Burna boy and Russ.

Dull is a perfect Album opener for Asake's album. It addresses why he has been so consistent ever since he had his hit songs and got signed to the YBNL record. The opening seconds of ‘Dull’ is delivered like a panegyric or Yoruba ewi or an Ifa hymn. On the opening track, he admits that he has made it but vows to the old gods and money that he will never ‘Dull.’ The song being short makes the album sound like there is a lot for us in it. 

Terminator is a single off Mr Money With The Vibes, and it talks about how Asake is a Terminator for his lady. Terminator is slightly different from the usual sound Asake uses for his songs, and it makes sense that it comes as the second good.

Organise sounds like a hit single off this album. It's strictly about the street vibes for which Asake is widely known. Similarly, the post-chorus of ‘Organise’ embodies someone who sarcastically addresses a gregarious, overzealous, and obnoxious person. Asake really delivered as expected on this track. 

Peace be unto you has a fantastic hook and chorus. It is, therefore, not surprising that it is a hit song. The lyrics are spooky, and this gives the album free vibes that makes us get our groove on.

Dupe would have been a boring song if the vocalized hook didn't sweep in to get us in awe of this song. And the fact that Asake picks up with some relatable lyrics, which makes the piece an excellent listen. However, a lot of people would find the chorus interesting, but the hook is even more intriguing. 

Muse is the first almost RNB song by Asake, which is really good. It sounds like what Asake should often do because Muse stands out quickly as a song.

Joha is a catchy song. It is catchy, and it's more of a call-and-response song than it is a complete song. Meanwhile, Asake picks the song up as we listen to it and delivers an understandable verse that matches the chorus and gives the song meaning. Nzaza has "Muse" vibes, and it contains thoughtful lyrics. It is heavily influenced by mid-tempo church music.

Ototo is a fantastic song, and people will relate to it well because it emphasizes individuality and how people should be happy for their colleagues' success but not feed off it or try to blame them for their failure. Dull’ and ‘Ototo’ speaks a similar theme from a place of plenty, while looking back, but in different ways. He sings: "Man I cover my place wey bad, pray to jah that we never lack, and you know man I'm going hard". After all, Ototo sha la wa aye. 

Reason is the first feature on Mr Money With The Vibes album, and it's giving growth vibes. It shows that Asake really sat down to think about how he has been hustling and how God has blessed him so much that he has been hustling and how hard it used to be. It is also a song of encouragement, which is the first one we get on the album. Asake needs to sing more songs like Reason because it always stands out in his discography.

Sunmomi is giving amapiano vibes. But the song is not lyrically applauded at all, just vibes and Insha Allah.

Sungba remix is an enjoyable listening experience, with Burna boy's verse serving as a welcoming cherry on top of an already solid record. If there's one certain thing, it's that Asake came into the scene cocksure, and this level of self-assuredness is synchronous to the success he's now enjoying. 

The best thing that he achieves is the cohesion of his album, and track-on-track album sequence, segue and progression - especially within the first five tracks, and then from Nzaza till the end. The album also plays with different genres, which establishes Asake’s range beyond just Amapiano. 

 The Afroswing ‘Reason’ is an important litmus test of range that Asake passed on this album. There is also the way MagicSticks plays with ‘Joha’ and merges Amapiano with Juju/Tungba or how he fuses Kuti Afrobeat with Amapiano and crowd vocals on ‘Organise. Nzaza is loaded with violins and piano, while ‘Organise’ - which also has brilliant guitar chords and woozy cloud strings - and ‘Dull’ excel on horns. In fact, ‘Dull’ is an eclectic song. However, ‘Nzaza’ would have been the perfect closer for the album, considering its topic. 

In the end, Asake has released Nigeria’s best album this year so far. I don’t envy the Headies that will have to figure out whether Asake is Next Rated or Artist of The Year or both. ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ feels like another one of those great debut albums that Nigerian music has seen. 

Listen to the album here: MMWTV  MMWTV

Ratings: 9/10