Now Reading
“Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe” Review: Tml Vibez and DJ 4kerty Craft a Refreshing Take On Street-Pop

“Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe” Review: Tml Vibez and DJ 4kerty Craft a Refreshing Take On Street-Pop

Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe

Tml Vibez’s partnership with DJ 4kerty gives Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe a much-needed dose of bounce and swagger, delivering a take on Street Pop that is sharp, sleek, and as club-ready as it gets.

By Patrick Ezema

Tml Vibez appears to be one of the few Dapper acts who truly understands the meaning of a “Deluxe” release. In 2024, during the record label’s flourishing period with Street-Pop talents, Bhadboi OML and Muyeez released deluxe versions of their EPs, Bhadriyun and Muyeez, each featuring entirely different sets of songs from the originals.

This time, however, Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe takes a more conventional approach, adding six songs to the original suite of five. In doing so, it sheds its EP status and transitions into a fully-fledged album.

Tml is joined by DJ 4kerty, renowned for his “turn up till 4:30” tagline, a signature of his many mixes and productions. Yet, Pawon Boy Vol. 1 Deluxe, the debut project for both artistes, doesn’t exactly burst with the high-energy vibe that DJ-driven Street Pop traditionally thrives on. Instead, it is more measured, more accessible, and ultimately, more enjoyable.

The original EP struck an excellent balance between production and lyricism, and this Deluxe firmly stays within that zone. The most profound lines are found in the album closer, “365 Days Remix”, where Balloranking joins Tml for a fresh spin on the 2023 track. 

It’s a new year, and Tml is focused on making every day count: “Hustle like a beast, mi o sere/ Make I no go waste 365 days.” His guest is on the same wavelength: “I got dreams to pursue, so I buckle my shoe/ I no fit jonze, I’m achieving all the goals”.

There’s a quiet confidence in Tml Vibez’s outlook on the future. His faith, above all else, lies in his own abilities. This marks a subtle departure from the Afro-Adura mindset that heavily relies on providence—a theme more prominent in his earlier releases, particularly the duo of Timilehin and its 2.0 version.

Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe
Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe

This time, Tml has evolved, and so has his writing. He navigates the subjects of his life and career with far greater composure. The hustle continues, of course, but he now channels more energy into savouring the highs of his current achievements.

When Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe references the Almighty, it leans more towards gratitude than supplication: “Dem no see me coming/ So funny, èmi idàn/ Ee me going-going, higher-higher/ Thank you, Lord, he sings on “Intro (Going)”.

A lot can change in a year, and Tml Vibez enters 2025 with far more bragging rights than he had last year. His music now resonates from Adamawa to Australia (to paraphrase “Boss”), and weekends are spent in clubs surrounded by lavish bottles of Azul and Casamigos, as he claims on the Young Jonn-assisted “Paper”.

Yet, he keeps his eyes firmly set on even bigger aspirations: “Ọmọ ẹru lè jà Camaro, wa-wah.”

Sonically, Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe draws heavily from every generation of Street Pop, but Tml Vibez and DJ 4kerty bring a measured, polished edge to the project. “NSNV Vibe” serves as a direct homage to Tml Vibez’s mentor, Seyi Vibez, incorporating many of Seyi’s signature elements: his frequent collaborator, producer The Beat Murderer, his characteristic crowd choruses, and the ever-present feminine background vocals.

Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe
Tml Vibez

Even when not explicitly acknowledged, Tml Vibez and DJ 4kerty consistently create within the framework of Seyi Vibez’s template, albeit to varying degrees. They avoid the unrestrained turbulence that polarised opinions on “Chance” or the unbridled rave energy of “Kun Faya Kun” and the Memory Card EP.

Instead, Tml incorporates Pop and party-swaying melodies, giving Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe a bouncy, feel-good vibe. “Wavy”, where DJ 4kerty’s influence is most audible, brims with fizzy energy—its chorus punctuated by scratches, shutters, and beat stops.

Beyond this track, however, DJ 4kerty’s presence as a disc jockey isn’t strongly felt, though his role as an A&R and curator is evident in the album’s cohesive tone.

When Tml Vibez delves into lighter, more superficial topics, they often serve as a gateway to hedonism—a familiar trope in Nigerian Pop.

“Too Bad” features an underutilised Pheelz beat in the background, over which Tml delivers stereotypical, overused lines to his luscious muse: “Shawty, you too bad/ Wetin you carry for body, e too bam.”

TML Vibez
Tml Vibez

“Forgive Me” repurposes similar sentiments with a more creative twist: “Whine slow, ma-ma pami na, ahn/ Omo mi, Isakaba.”

See Also
Born in the Wild review| Tems| Afrocritik

Tml Vibez is acutely aware of both the distance he has travelled to reach this point and the effort required—especially in this new year—to sustain his success. Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe acknowledges both, but it is ultimately made for the in-between period, as Tml Vibez revels in the pleasures of who he is right now: one of Nigeria’s most promising acts, with the ability to stand alongside Street Pop greats and the versatility to push his artistry beyond the genre’s boundaries.

Tml Vibez’s partnership with DJ 4kerty gives Pawon Boy Vol 1 Deluxe a much-needed dose of bounce and swagger, delivering a take on Street Pop that is sharp, sleek, and as club-ready as it gets.

Lyricism – 1.4

Tracklisting – 1.6

Sound Engineering – 1.4

Vocalisation – 1.3

Listening Experience – 1.6

Rating 7.3/10

Patrick Ezema is a music and culture journalist. Send him links to your favourite Nigerian songs @EzemaPatrick.

What's Your Reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0

© 2024 Afrocritik.com. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top