What Ajebo Hustlers have delivered with Onorato is a collection of songs that further showcases their knack for short, vibrant tunes that blend fun and catchy lyricism with versatility, flexibility, and effective simplicity.
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Port Harcourt City is fast becoming renowned for the crop of musical talent emanating from its belly. From global sensations like Burna Boy and Omah Lay, to rising stars like Kaestyle, the city instils a strong sense of identity in its natives. This is clearly and consistently reflected in their artistic expression, and Afrobeats duo, Ajebo Hustlers, is no exception.
With an extensive discography that fuses vibrant Afro-Pop melodies with Highlife storytelling, Hip-Hop influences, and a generous dose of Port Harcourt slang, rapper, Knowledge (George Danderson), and singer, Piego (Isaiah Precious) have been on a steady rise since their breakthrough in 2019. Less than a year after their last body of work, Bad Boy Etiquette 102: Continuous Assessment, the duo has returned with a four-track EP, Onorato.
Onorato translates to “honour should be given to” and the first recipient of the duo’s honour is their beautiful love interest—their “Movie Star”. A guitar-driven chord progression is complemented by bright flute synths and a bouncy bassline.
Simple, groovy Afrobeats drums complete the instrumental canvas on which the pair promise their lover heaven and earth, singing, “I give you what you deserve/ I’ll give you everything you want and more/ My heart, my all”. Piego carries the song with rich, melodic vocals, while Knowledge provides balance with his Igbo-tinged verse.
“Ave Maria” comes next, serving as the melodic peak of Onorato. Victony’s sonorous voice effortlessly blends with the bright guitar chords and sweeping synthetic strings, creating a soaring musical lift that immediately envelops the listener.
Smooth bass and rich group vocals ride an ensemble of rattling shakers and percussive rimshots, building up to an impactful chorus before Knowledge grounds the track with his laid-back rap flows. “Na money be the problem/ Na money be the solution/ Omo see me see confusion eh”, the song laments, carrying the poignant social awareness that Ajebo Hustlers’ lyrics are known for.
“Velvet” takes a completely different turn, introducing jazzy electric guitars, Rhodes chords, a funky bassline, and a retro drum arrangement, complemented by sizzling hi-hats and lively bongo and conga rhythms.
This forms the backdrop for a playful and flirty jaunt that chronicles a series of provocative encounters, delivered with impressive relatability and undeniable smoothness. Knowledge shines on this track, seizing the spotlight with two brief yet impactful verses, efficiently painting vivid scenarios within the limited verse space.
Onorato closes with another shift in tone on the abrasive “Yan Yan Po”. A gritty, pulsating bassline sits beneath muted pads and sporadic woodwinds, creating a dark, brooding atmosphere.
Drill-inspired hi-hats merge with a hard-hitting drum arrangement, setting the rhythm for a grimy admonition of fake people and empty supporters. “‘Lean on me’ no be ‘Press me die’/ Cho cho cho you don too freestyle /You don dey talk, dey talk like parrot/ Off the mic, off the mind please”, featured artiste, Timaya, delivers in his brief but impactful appearance.
Onorato, as a title and theme, is somewhat difficult to decipher over the EP’s runtime. However, in the grand scheme of what the project offers, this can be overlooked.
What Ajebo Hustlers have delivered with Onorato is a collection of songs that further showcases their knack for short, vibrant tunes that blend fun and catchy lyricism with versatility, flexibility, and effective simplicity.
No two songs on Onorato are sonically alike, yet the duo manage to stamp each track with their signature wit, musicality, and conciseness. None of the verses drag on, none of the songs outstay their welcome, and the two featured artistes inject a healthy dose of uniqueness and variation into their cameos.
Victony’s contribution to “Ave Maria” is show-stealing, while Timaya’s role on “Yan Yan Po” is more supportive and complementary.
Knowledge commands each of his verses with calmness and confidence, conveying the songs’ stories and ideas without resorting to complex wordplay or intricate flows. Piego delivers the hooks and bridges with sharp, memorable melodies, striking a balance that keeps him from over-singing or trying to show off.
Altogether, there is a noticeable ease with which Ajebo Hustlers imbue each track with just the right amount of what it needs.
With simple yet engaging production and top-notch engineering, the technical aspects of the EP are as solid as expected. That said, Onorato offers no real surprises—and there’s nothing wrong with that.
There is no need to change a winning formula, and Ajebo Hustlers have found just that—a winning formula. Perhaps they are approaching a stage in their career where they might consider more stylistic experimentation or taking a few creative risks.
With or without that, Onorato is another stepping stone in Ajebo Hustlers’ steady rise as a stable and consistent name to honour in the ever-expanding Nigerian music industry.
Lyricism – 1.6
Tracklisting – 1.4
Sound Engineering – 1.7
Vocalisation – 1.5
Listening Experience – 1.5
Rating – 7.7/10
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.