Hard Guy Confessions is a story of two artistes finding their rhythm together, moving through love, friendship, and unmasking the vulnerabilities that comes with it.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
When Johnny Drille enlisted Don Jazzy on “Ova” off his 2021 debut album, Before We Fall Asleep, the result was a smooth meld of introspective lyrics and Dancehall-tinged beat. Johnny Drille’s soulful vocals met Don Jazzy’s unmistakable baritone to create a track that signals the beginning of a musical rapport that would only deepen with time.
A year later, Johnny Drille’s admiration for his label boss’s vocals spurred him to make a public proclamation. “I doubt the world will ever have another voice as distinct and recognisable as Don Jazzy’s voice”, he tweeted.
It was the kind of statement that could have come across as hyperbolic, but anyone familiar with Don Jazzy’s contributions to Nigerian music would understand the weight of those words. From his Mo’Hits era to his newer forays with Mavin, his voice has always carried something elemental—a magnetic, grounding presence that elevates even the most subtle collaborations.
That distinct voice became a centerpiece again when “How Are You My Friend?” was released in 2023. Wrapped in airy guitar riffs, the song—a heartfelt ode to friendship—quickly became an anthem. But beyond its viral appeal lay something more profound: a showcase of the natural chemistry between Drille’s emotive storytelling and Jazzy’s anchoring harmonies.
When the two reunited later that year on “Believe Me” and “Spending” it was clear they had forged a compelling musical alliance. Their musical chemistry continued to evolve, with Don Jazzy contributing his unmistakable backing vocals, writing credits and harmonies on Johnny Drille’s tracks.
It was almost inevitable that the next step in their collaboration would be a joint project. Fans had been waiting, and the steady stream of collaborations throughout the year made it feel like a natural progression.
That anticipation finally culminated in November with the release of Hard Guy Confessions, a seven-track EP that tied together four new songs with the trio of previously released tracks—“How Are You My Friend?”, “Believe Me”, and “Spending”.
The phrase ‘Hard Guy’ carries a weight that’s deeply familiar within Nigerian parlance. It’s a marker of emotional resilience often worn by those who have been through emotionally draining experience and prefer not to show their scars.
But the title, Hard Guy Confessions, hints at an unmasking. Across its seven tracks, Johnny Drille and Don Jazzy strip away pretense to confront the messy, raw, and tender realities of love and relationships.
This thematic core comes into sharp focus on the EP’s opener, “It Hurts”. The track begins with the striking interplay of Johnny Drille’s airy yet heart-wrenching tenor, countered by Don Jazzy’s commanding baritone, whose alto-inflected backing vocals deepen the emotional texture of the song.
Together, their voices create a dynamic push and pull, setting the tone for Hard Guy Confessions. Johnny Drille’s opening verse is emotional,“Have you ever been in love, but end up messing it up / Omo that shit hurts, so bad it hurts so bad”.
Don Jazzy, stepping in on the second verse offers a raw confession: “I no know how I go come fuck up like this o / I dey cry, I dey beg make you come forgive o / Baby give me your love again”. It’s a moment of regret that lays bare the vulnerability often hidden behind machismo behavior.
Before Don Jazzy’s voice graces the second track, “Anyway”, with “It’s a gbedu, it’s a gbedu”, the dance-inflected beat already whispers the promise of something irresistible. Johnny Drille’s verse takes center stage early, offering a tender declaration of love untainted by material concerns: “Even if you make more money than me my darling / I’ll love you anyway”.
His words are buoyed by a feminine choral backdrop. The chorus is where Don Jazzy’s contributions truly shine. His vocals, steady and anchoring, provide a grounding contrast to Drille’s delivery. “Hold Me” is where the tempo slows, but the vibe remains undeniable. With a laid-back, groovy beat that seems to float, and love-letter-tinged lyrics, they both capture those moments when you’re lost in the feeling of someone you love so dearly.
The tempo picks up again on “Spending” with a playful confidence that stands in contrast to the earlier track’s vulnerability. Johnny Drille leans into a different kind of love here. When Drille sings, “So my baby got to pull up in a Bentley (oshey), so you can see evidently say I dey do my job diligently”, it unveils the idea of love where loyalty and lavishness go hand-in-hand.
Don Jazzy, again, provides that ever-solid backing and even on the bouncy pop, “Believe Me”, his vocal chant kickstarts it. Johnny Drille fully leans into his lover boy persona here, crafting a heartfelt plea that’s as much about devotion as it is about reassuring his partner.
In Afro-Pop, themes of love and money always dominate the conversation, but Johnny Drille flips the script with “How Are You My Friend?”— a song that taps into the essence of true friendship. With Don Jazzy’s backing vocal, Johnny Drille shifts the focus from romance and riches to the simple, powerful bond of friendship.
The guitar-inflected outro, “Peace of Mind”, closes Hard Guy Confessions with a burst of motivation. Don Jazzy takes the lead, while Johnny Drille follows in a smooth call-and-response. It is a track that speaks to anyone grinding, telling them to stay strong and keep pushing, no matter how tough it gets.
This year, we’ve witnessed a surge in collaborative efforts in Afro-Pop, with artistes realising the power of synergy in ways that redefine the genre’s possibilities. Ruger and BNXN’s RnB EP is a prime example, showcasing the magic that happens when two distinct styles come together.
Hard Guy Confessions builds on this momentum, offering something special in the space of creative partnerships. Across seven tracks, Johnny Drille and Don Jazzy craft a fully realised vision that builds on their previous pairings, taking their collaboration from mere sparks to a blazing fire.
Hard Guy Confessions is a story of two artistes finding their rhythm together, moving through love, friendship, and unmasking the vulnerabilities that comes with it.
What’s clear is that this partnership has matured, with both artistes pushing each other to new heights while staying true to their individual sounds. Hard Guy Confessions delivers a statement about the power of creative connection in a genre often ruled by solo hits. And if this is the direction Afro-Pop collaborations are heading, we’re in for a lot more sonic magic.
Lyricism – 1.5
Tracklisting – 1.2
Sound Engineering – 1.5
Vocalisation – 1.5
Listening Experience – 1.5
Rating – 7.2/10
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