When Nigerian rapper Vector who was in Uganda around January to meet GNL Zamba first announced the collaboration, many thought it was going to be a “Hottest Mcee” song or I’m the best best Rapper alive and all of those braggadocious songs. Nobody expected it to be beyond what was painted. Credit to Hennessy for making Nigerian hip-hop scene hot once again.
Going straight to the point, “Crown Of Clay” that dropped in 2021 could be understood from a different perspective, depending on how you relate with the lyrics.
You won’t be less wiser if you say “COC” is an idiom, but having a traditional and cultural meaning into it. Looking at it from the religious angle, “COC” is a kind of a biblical reference (bible students can go on a research). It was written that “we were formed by the potter from Clay “
The first reference clearly points out that his dad (from the hook), putting Clay on his head and asked him to pray,. This simply means he is involving his ancestors to come and bless him. More like the blessings of your forefathers are with you.
From the purest part of my heart, am saying hate was never involved while writing this piece.
Vector picking pheelz on a song like this was something I would never put my money on but he proved me wrong. Of there’s anything 100/100 in this song, it should be the production alone. Those background have to take me back to “Knights Of The Templar”.
When MI first came on as at my first listening, I knew it wasn’t one of those skri kind of song & those references explained this very part.
Vector catches my attention with his first 2 bars. About the Bobi wine line, he references the opposing presidential candidate in the last concluded elections in Uganda where Human Rights were violated. More like the Nigeria and the End sars protests.
“Welcome to the blood line of the black kings
Real life black scenеs
The Black church black thought black sins
Uganda Bobi wine magazines
Nеws flash but old news like since
We can’t speak Judge me my genes”
Vector is on fire mood from the very first bar to the last with some wordplay and punchlines. About the delivery, Vector gives his very best and I rate him excellent.
At some point, he leaves the context but still manages to find himself in. His punchlines are dope but too many lines are too basic for a conscious song like this.
Pheelz comes in immediately after Vector and drops some lines about awareness. His lyrics exalts the strength and resilience that is derived from coming to terms with the African ancestry and the realization that one comes from the bloodline of African ancestors who were custodians of so much that the universe afforded men of the time.
Then comes MI Abaga_ His intro isn’t that catchy as Vector`s though, but from the third bar, I start feeling him.
“Women with the heart of a king like Drag queen “. Go find out the meaning of Drag queen, picture it the opposite way. That’s the only way you could grab it. Without saying much about MI, he stays on the topic from start to finish, no fancy lines, nice similes and metaphors but delivery is a bit average.
To someone who’s musically encountered MI before now, they won’t be as much surprised by the quality of his lyrics and the effortless delivery of them in such a manner that conveys the atmosphere of his song as well as his mood. His vocal integrity affords him part of the merit his delivery deserves.
Vector Said it earlier that Crown of Clay is really a thing, the truth is, it worth every single thing you paused just to pay attention to this amazing Record.
