Show Dem Camp Gives A Trilogy Closer Of PalmWine Music Series With PalmWine Music vol. 3

I recommended "PalmWine Express" to a friend recently, and I must say, it was and is still one of my favorites. To be honest, I haven't been following Show Dem Camp's journey right from the start. But, according to my research, I discovered the outstanding Duo (Tec and Ghost) had released about seven projects, including albums, in the past nine years. (Including Clone Wars and PalmWine music series) 

The palm wine series (If you don't know) is mostly about love, heartbreak, and living a flex life. And the latest project, "PalmWine music 3," fits the narrative. In that, it's entirely produced by Spax, and it's loaded with features including Tems, M.anifest, Oxlade, Victony, Ladipoe, Tay Iwar, BOJ, and new voices like Bellah, TOBI, and more. PalmWine music series is way different from Clone war series. The lyrics and beats will reveal that to you. 

The album kicks off with the voice of Nigerian OAP Folu Storms over a guitar riff by Nsikak David, giving insights as to what to expect from this album. 

 "Head Over Heels" with Victony sounded really nice, especially his vocals, which spiced up the song and brought total bar energy to the album. His parts feel so integral to the DNA of the song. Plus, the punchlines from Show Dem Camp were incredible. Head Over Heels is the first proper track on the album. 

One of my favorite tracks on this album is "Live Life," featuring Tems. The beat is giving ‘Ghana Bounce’ or ‘Afro-dancehall.’ In 2019 we got introduced to a barely known Tems on ‘The Palmwine Express,’ and now that she’s the global superstar she is, it feels surreal hearing her on Live life. The melodies she brought out with her distinctive vocals were terrific. The electric guitar chords and mid-tempo bass evokes a relaxing feeling, strong enough to make you head straight to the beach or book a flight for a vacation. This song was just sending a message on "Live your life to the fullest, as there's no time to waste.

The interval start skit is very hilarious. The palm wine radio concept of the caller and receiver having a conversation on breakfast and love is one of the best things I've seen in a while. We need more skits in Nigerian music, please. 

Uniquely, "Mine Alone" is pleasant and harmonious to the ears. Oxlade's vocals was everything the song needed. His verse was hard, and the chorus was soulful. Also, the slow rhythms were outstanding. The duo delivered a very exciting punchline in this track. Especially Tec's lines, "Your beauty had olodumare in his bag, you know," and "Let's get Ku Lo Sa like Oxlade said," are just perfect. This track gives this "Radio check" vibes more than the others. By radio check, I mean the track will easily be picked by radio stations to play for their listeners. I also feel the song appeals to the taste of many and can't just be called a mid-song. Asides from that, Oxlade is becoming a huge name in global Afrobeat chatter, and his feature on the track will help in selling the track tremendously. 

We all know the quality BOJ brings to a track. He is like the major general of Alte music, and his voice was made just for Alte. Just hearing BOJ puts you on a chilling cruise. He channels the same energy on "Kele" as he delivers a beautiful verse and chorus. "Kele" easily became my favorite at first listen. His calm vocals and Yoruba English-infused music are perfect for the hook. 

SDC has a fondness for introducing us to new talented acts. In times past, it's been acts like Tems and Shalom Dubas, and now it’s Bellah. Her voice on ‘WYW’ is breathtaking and surprising. WYW with Bellah is stunning in a positive way. She synced with SDC on this track about the blame game that follows a broken relationship. Ghost's verse, especially, is humorous yet thoughtful. This feature is one of the standouts of the project. Bellah's performance on WYW is not only a delightful surprise but also a flat-out album highlight.

On "Feel something," Tim Lyre's vocals may have been the perfect catalyst, but many things makes the track stand out. Including the subdued instruments, they were looping in sync with Lyre's hook and the Duo's delivery and also the subject of the track. Clearly, the type of song that gets better with every passing play. 

On "Freaky," we hear Mannywellz tease with his fantastic voice. The imagery on this track is hard as it gives a high connotation to the track title. 

Lojay was highly naughty on "your love" as expected. The opening was catchy. It's a classic love song that has him delivering his sonorous vocals. This track is for everyone who ever fell in love, Leaving them in their feelings and also connecting to the longing for an ultimate lover.

TOBI, a Canadian-based Nigerian act absolutely owned the "Rolling" track. His rich and distinctive vocals were focused on the theme of the track. His verse was hard, and the chorus was exciting. He flexed his phenomenal strength on "Rolling". Rolling is that makeup song where two estranged lovers play catch up. I'm anticipating more from TOBI. 

Wurld and M.anifest on "Bad Design" is one of the few tracks I never expected. Wurld soulful vocals on the chorus and M.anifest basey vocals on the hook describe the perfect vocal blend. It was enlivening to hear a Ghanaian rapper in the form of M.anifest on there. The Ghanaian slangs really hit. 

The breaking interval skit was a funny one, where the radio gets to hear people call into the show to share their bad breakup stories. 

Tay Iwar on "Apollo" hits so hard. Iwar on this track is absolutely perfect with his unique vocals and exciting lyrics. The concept of the track is "Apollo," an eye condition which was used to tease. It sounded romantic. 

"Old flame" carries the "in-house" music feeling. It appears to be the longest track on the project. The skillful guitar riffs and the catchy chorus from Nesta, the low-sounding lyrics with the speedy delivery from Show Dem Camp and ladipoe were just perfect. It recounts the aftermath of a breakup where either one or both partners reminisce about the good times and start entertaining the thought of rekindling the old flame. I find their quick turn exchange catchy and fascinating. Because, it had that "music with no break" vibes.

"If It’s Love" is just Twelve XII and Show Dem camp providing an answer to a frequent question on "What do we share? Is it love or flex?" Twelve XII is really a great act. 

The close-up track had that curtain-close feeling. "No regrets" with moelogo started with a mid-pace rhythm before progressing into fast pace tempo and returning to mid-pace on the hook. No regrets is just the sublime end to a beautiful trip like this. The saxophone freestyle at the end was skillful and entertaining. 

Palmwine Music 3’ is an excellent closer in terms of what it wants to achieve. Previous Palmwine projects were thrilling rollercoaster rides, more focused on the visceral effect of the groove and the brain-holding quality of the guest hooks. Spax is THAT guy, honestly, and I believe he works exceptionally well with Show Dem Camp. Spax continues to outdo himself, one project at a time. The overall production of the project can stand the test of time, thanks to Spax and his evergreen and vibrant production. The body of work ‘PalmWine Music 3’ will be on rotation for a while. Someone give Spax his flowers already.  

SDC style of rap music is very different from the styles of your average rapper, every song is meaningful, and their verses are mostly soaked with the truth. I love the project and can relate to it. It will be interesting to see if any other project can match with this one this year. 

Listen to PalmWine music 3 here:PalmWine music vol. 3

Ratings: 9/10.