Son of Chike represents a brilliant confluence of Chike’s musical artistry and the cadence of Nigerian Pop, positioning him as one of the most astute musical minds of his generation.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Few artistes excel at capturing the essence of the mundane and crafting pristine musings on life and unrequited love and affection in Nigerian music quite like Chike. Since the success of his 2020 debut album, Boo of the Booless—an expansive project that provided listeners with deeper access to his unique artistic vision—Chike has established himself in the league of distinguished new generation artistes who intertwine emotive lyrics with soul-stirring melodies.
The resounding success of this magnum opus laid a formidable foundation for his 2022 sophomore album, The Brothers Keeper, where he tinctures his R&B stylings with nuanced inflections of Afro-Pop.
His latest 12-track album, Son of Chike, arrives several months after his cinematic debut in Gang of Lagos, a role that further introduced his artistry to a broader audience, and the triumph of his collaboration with the late Street-Hop act, Mohbad, on the 2023 uber-popular hit, “Egwu”. If the title, album artwork, and the lead singles reveal anything or convey any underlying message, it’s this undeniable truth: Chike is paying homage to his ancestral roots.
His gospel on the essence of love shines on Son of Chike’s opener, “Unto You”, featuring one of Nigeria’s most versatile rappers, Ladipoe, on a mid-tempo track that opens with guitar strummings. Ladipoe’s sublime lyrics and the evocative chorus, “Me I rather get ear, Wey no fit hear, Me I rather get tongue, Wey no fit taste (Me I rather get), Than to get heart, Wey no fit love” shows the depth of the priority the duo places on the capacity to show genuine love.
The pre-released track, “Egwu,” featuring the late Mohbad, ignites the album into a frenzy and extends into the album’s most quintessential log-drum-laden love ballad, “Lifetime Love”. Chike’s adept use of imagery in his songwriting is striking. On the Aykbeats-produced “Apple”, he exemplifies this with the visual lyrics: “Carry your motor, drive it to my house, Don’t answer anybody, don’t collide, Oya jejely jeje, drive it to my house.” This imagery portrays him earnestly entreating his lover for reconciliation.
Woven from the same folksy romantic fabric that makes his 2020 hit song, “Roju”, a cherished wedding anthem, Chike artfully replicates this on the highlife-influenced track “Ego Oyibo,” where he modulates his honeyed vocals to convey his yearning for his lover. “You dey land of oyibo, baby come back iyoo,” he croons.
The floating sense of heart-on-sleeve that inspired “Ego Oyibo” is also evident in its follow-up, “Mma (Beauty)”, where Chike expresses his obsession with his lover against a mid-tempo folksy backdrop enriched with Igbo sound elements. When he ardently sings, “When I look at your body, I thank God for you/ When I wan spend my money, I spend it on you”, there is no ambiguity regarding the depth of his feelings.
Even in the throes of heartbreak, Chike’s display of love for his muse remains steadfast. On “Someone”, as his lover teeters on the brink of a breakup, he candidly shares his deepest emotions and intentions. In the chorus, he poignantly sings, “I am looking at someone, someone I love dearly, loving somebody else.”
He flips the love narrative on “Your Loss” with fast-rising artiste, Qing Madi. The duo exudes confidence in their worth and are unafraid to leave a relationship where they are not fully appreciated. The Amapiano-influenced track, “Not Your Daddy”, captures the emotional turbulence of a relationship marked by regret and a longing for reconciliation. The lines, “Now you tell me say na me the best. You wan press reset,” reflect a heartfelt plea for a fresh start.
On “One Day”, he joins forces with rapper and Street-Pop icon, Olamide, and emerging sensation, Amaeya, to craft a stirring anthem that extols the virtues of perseverance and resilience.
The simplicity and directness of the lyrics on “Balance Am” convey a raw honesty. Chike’s admission of his wrongdoings and his sincere wish to ‘balance’ his actions reflect a longing for personal growth. The reflective acoustic track “Man Not God” showcases Chike’s minimalistic songwriting style as he acknowledges the limitations of human power and the supremacy of divine authority.
Son of Chike represents a brilliant confluence of Chike’s musical artistry and the cadence of Nigerian Pop, positioning him as one of the most astute musical minds of his generation. With this project, Chike tells relatable love stories that matter while also integrating insights into his evolving perspective on life.
It’s clear that with every new project, Chike remains grounded in synthesising profound lyricism with engaging narratives and crafting exciting melodies. While the production of Son of Chike may not be experimental, it is meticulously crafted to complement Chike’s sensibilities, achieving a perfect trifecta for his album.
Lyricism – 1.8
Tracklisting – 1.3
Sound Engineering – 1.4
Vocalisation – 1.6
Listening Experience – 1.6
Rating – 7.7/10
Abioye Damilare is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment Industry. Reading new publications and listening to music are two of his favourite pastimes when he is not writing. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle