Saying that Nigerian hip-hop has been in an abysmal state in recent years would be a gross understatement. Hip-hop acts started switching to pop in order to sell records and a lot of people were not comfortable about this. One of those people was M.I Abaga.
The self-proclaimed African rapper number one released a song to address this titled “You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives”. The song initiated a blame-game between rappers and rap fans. While this blame-game ensued, 2 rappers took it upon themselves to change the current status quo and revive hip-hop in Nigeria.
Before we delve into what Loose Kaynon and AQ have been up to in regards to saving Nigerian hip-hop, how about a little backstory on these individuals? Okay? Okay.
Loose Kaynon
Loose has been on the rap scene for a very long time. He officially signed a record deal with Loopy Records in 2012 and when the record label merged with Chocolate City Music in 2015, he remained part of the family.
But Loose Kaynon’s story starts with WaxLyrical, a hip-hop show that promoted rap music. The first edition of the show had Loose Kaynon and Da Grin going head to head. The show had such a huge impact on the hip-hop scene back then that when M.I was working on his Illegal Music 2 mixtape, he reached out to Loose Kaynon and asked him to connect him to the young rappers who were popping on the WaxLyrical show.
Considering all this, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that Loose has been helping Nigerian hip-hop for a while now.
AQ
In the words of Loose Kaynon, AQ has been a one-man wrecking crew for a long time.
AQ’s story is one of rejection, perseverance and success. Coming into the game, he strived to make his mark with his music and even though he was rejected by a lot of people and record labels, but he never gave up.
His recent projects Rose and Blessed forever received critical acclaim from both rap fans and music critics alike.
Loose Kaynon and AQ
What happens when two people who are passionate about hip-hop come together (Yeah, AQ is a part of Chocolate City now) in a period where people have little regard for true hip-hop music? They get to work.
For starters, they created Nigeria’s first all hip-hop record label called 100 Crowns Entertainment with Blaqbones as the first artist to be signed to the label.
Then they took it a step further by creating a platform for rappers to express themselves and showcase their art to the world. This platform is called The Coronation.
There have been 2 editions of the Coronation already and word on the street is that the next edition might happen in October.
Crown
AQ wanted to put out a joint album but didn’t know who he would do the album with, Loose Kaynon volunteered himself and that is how the Crown album was birthed. The album was released on the 17th of August but could have been released much earlier as it was finished as far back as June.
However, M.I and the PR team of Chocolate City had come up with a genius campaign to invade the music space with hip-hop projects. This campaign is #LambAugust. Lamb is synonymous with sacrifice and sacrifice indeed would be required to revive Nigerian hip-hop. Lamb also acts as an acronym for Loose Kaynon, AQ, M.I and Blaqbones.
Crown is such a solid hip-hop project, it makes so much sense for it to be the first album to drop from the #LambAugust campaign. Listening to the album is such a thrill and it leaves you fully satisfied at the end. One of the strong points of this album is that it is a relatable album.
Here’s a rundown of the tracks in order of excellence.
Hustlers Prayer
This song features popular comedienne Chigurl. The backstory to this song is that M.I sent a voice note to Chigurl telling her what he needed from her for the song and approximately fifteen minutes later, she sang her part and sent it back to him as a voice note. This happened while she was waiting in the hospital for a surgery. Her soulful and powerful vocals on this track coupled with M.I humming in the background will blow you away while sending chills down your spine.
With bars like “… on the road to success, transportation is passion driven… but before I go, I hold the record as the best but being the best don’t get you shit” AQ reflects on his journey in the game and how he feels that there is more to do. Loose Kaynon comes through with ice cold bars “…blessed are the givers but risk-takers will be overachievers… Mindset: fuck you, pay me”.
Best Rapper Alive, Crown
Best Rapper Alive is a skit that comes before Crown. The skit serves as a warning to anyone who thinks he/she is the best rapper alive and then Crown comes on. The beat for this song is batshit crazy. Major props to Reinhard Tega who produced this song. There was no sampling involved. The beat is 100% original. On this one, the ever impressive rap duo Show Dem Camp are brought in to remind us what pure unfiltered hip-hop sound likes. The energy with which Ghost opens this track and the calm confidence that Tec uses to close the song will get you extremely hyped. Loose Kaynon and AQ do their best to match the fire that Ghost started with. If you’re a true hip-hop head, this song will give your ears an orgasm. The song is pure unfiltered lyrical madness.
Gang Gang
Yet another song that has an impressive guest act. The Igbo trap style on the chorus is executed perfectly by Chocolate City’s Torna. This song will probably be the first time you hear of Torna (was my first too). Loose Kaynon has declared this song to be his favourite on the project and with the way he went in hard on his verse, there’s no surprise there. It’s a braggado competition between Loose Kaynon and AQ. Impressive bars, dope chorus. This song is definitely going to be a fan favourite with time.
Regrets
“…Heart colder than Chicago…. I can’t forgive and forget, God’s got that part” Loose Kaynon sounds like revenge on this track and AQ doesn’t fail to match the energy “I came like a thief in the night, beheaded them nice… You are no match for me, this is not tinder”. The simple yet captivating chorus makes it even better.
Off Black
Blaqbones shows us why Loose Kaynon and AQ believe in him so much. The simple brilliance with which he delivers the hook trap style will make you a believer. This song ought to be on the radio all day. AQ opens up the song while Loose Kaynon wraps it up hard. Very hard. He snapped.
God wants us to be too lit
What a song title. It’s a catchphrase. It’s an Instagram post caption. It’s whatever you want it to be. This is a victory song and Big Daddy Jay a.k.a Beats by Jay doesn’t fail to put us in the mood with the hook. As the last song on the album, it leaves you in a state of excitement when you’re done listening to it. Loose Kaynon starts his verse with an Amen and proceeds to drop outrageous braggadocious lines like “there ain’t a nigga this side of the Atlantic that’s better at rapping…my outfit can get it’s own nepa bill cause it’s too lit”. AQ comes through with the same energy with bars like “Blessed forever, got cheques forever…”
No Time
Produced by Chocolate City’s own CKay, this song/freestyle is light in nature but that doesn’t mean Loose and AQ disappoint with the bars. Loose called himself “… hip-hop’s don draper” while AQ is like “the numbers we are pulling, computers can’t compute them… If you don’t feel me, give yourself a fellatio”.
Out of this world
This song gets the song intro of the year award (if such an award exists). AQ gives us some introspective bars while Loose Kaynon talks the tough talk on this one. Debbie Romeo’s vocals on the chorus makes it even better. Great decision on their part to make this the first song on the album.
By Your Side
This is a song for the ladies and the lovers. We get to see the soft sides of both Loose Kaynon and AQ. They both speak to their lovers with their bars and reassure them of their love and commitment. The guest artist on this track is Yoye Hayba and he sings the outro on this song which I think is the best part of the song and I can swear that I can hear M.I harmonising in the background.
Score: 8/10
