"The Ascension is a Proof of 2face's Versatility, it Will Break New Bounds" - Review of The Ascension Album

 

                    2face Idibia's much anticipated 6th studio album,The Ascension is finally out! Since leaving Kennis music,none of 2face's albums received half the hype The Ascension got pre release. Kudos to 960 music group and Hypertek digital,if 2face has ever lacked anything as an artist, it has got to be proper packaging and publicity. 

                    Evidently,that vacuum is now filled. Back to the essence of this write up,the album has generated mixed reactions since it dropped towards the end of July. As a seasoned music listener and someone who has listened to the album properly,I decided to have add my own voice.

                    The Ascension is a masterpiece beyond the surface,in this time of a particular sound and dance routines holding sway in the music industry,2face dared to be different. He did his usual R nB and Raggae. But,more impressively, calypso,Makkossa, Soca, highlife,hip hop and afrobeat and he came through effortlessly. No one else does that! This is not the usual 2face. He attempts to "ascend" to new heights and break new grounds with this album. The versatility and unusual nature of this work does not make it a below standard piece though. The choice of artists he featured says it all. Fally Ipupa and Kim Almarcha will appeal to french speaking countries,Machel Montano and Shurwayne will hopefully spread 2face's music in the carribeans. While the duet with Jay Z's protege and Roc Nation's Bridget Kelly is an apparent shot at the very resistant American market. While 2face's versatility on the album is commendable,the many genres and strategic features is amount to a massive risk and so we'll have to wait and see how it pans out. Hopefully,well.

In the meantime,here's a track to track scrutiny of The Ascension:

1. GO ft Machel Montano - One of the two singles dropped pre album release. Nice soca tune featuring one of the biggest acts in the Caribeans. Not the usual naija sound but very lovely tune still. 7/10

2. #Aproko - This shows a new side of 2face Idibia. Ranting and vexing..he must have recorded the song just after the story of him putting a lady in the family way despite his marriage broke(story has since been retracted) lol. Still, the song is food for thought for bloggers, twitter/keyboard warriors and rumour mongers. Not for me! 6/10

3. Holiday- Nice feel good song about relaxing after the hustle. The tempo of the beat isn't that fast but matured minds can rock it in a party or in the club. If you ever decide to pause the hustle and have a good time,this is the song to listen to. 8/10

4. Can't Hear You ft Vector - Hip hop feel. Again,unusually, this one is for the haters. I used to think everyone loves 2face. The message in this song is that he is focused on the task and can't hear the negative stuff. Way to go if you ask me. Trust Vector,he came through as usual. For commercial reasons,I personally would have preferred Olamide or Ice prince on this joint. Good song. 7/10

5. Best I Can Be ft Iceberg Slim & Rocksteady - Most inspirational song in the album if you ask me. Preaches doing one's best and not forcing it. Easy does it,that's my personal motto. Hence I can relate well to this song. Iceberg makes a plausible cameo while Rocksteady delivers a powerful verse. I've not been this impressed with Rocksteady since the days of the trybunals. Great job. 8/10

6. Let Somebody Love You ft Bridget Kelly - This song needs no introduction. First single off the album. Choice of Bridget Kelly looks somehow in the Nigerian context,but as stated above,there's a bigger picture. Nice song about not letting past heartbreaks stand in the way of fresh love. This song would top chats in any other country in the world. In Nigeria,the response has been so so. Something is wrong with our music taste. 7/10

7. Kiss of Life - Yes!! This is it! Vintage 2face. The usual 2face. Proper RnB song. If you are looking out for the "normal 2face" in this album,this is the song for you. For a minute,I pictured myself begging a babe for a kiss. That sounds ridiculous I know,but this song is that good. 9/10

8. Hate What you Do To Me - Another R n B song with very strong lyrics. Describes a very complex love relationship. For the life of me,I hope he wasn't talking about his relationship with Annie in this song! As a fan of happy marriages,I sincerely hope so. The lyrics and delivery is so mature. This one is for spouses who fight a lot but still won't let go of each other. 8/10

9. Confessions  ft Rocksteady& Dammy Krane 2face's main motive with this album seems to be;showing his versatility. Confessions is Galala through and through. Got his label mates RS and Dammy Krane who gave good accounts of themselves. Sounds like a freestyle to me. Not a big fan of Galala sounds or Dammy Krane. I feel people will like the song but I tend to skip it. 6/10

10. Close To Where You Are - At the beginning,sounds like a Raggae jam,till it gets to the chorus and feels like pure R n B. If you are away and missing your spour or you keep a long distance relationship,you can definitely use this jam. 7/10

11. International Loving ft Kim Almarcha - Lovely tune,great message. 2face speaks English,Kim only understands french. Yet they are madly in love. Language aint no barrier when you and in love. I guess 2face is looking for a francophone audience. I really like this song. 7/10

12. Boulay Boulay ft Shurwayne - From the title,one can tell there's nothing Nigerian about this song. Lovely Calypso tune. Don't know how big Shurwayne is in the Caribbean Islands,hopefully he's big enough to push the 2face brand there. That seems to be the target. Average song in my opinion. A carnival like video could change my mind though. 6/10

13. Diaspora Woman ft Fally Ipupa - By current Nigerian standards,this should be the hit track of the album. Provided 2face shoot a good video and soon,could become very big. Considering how massive Makkossa is here now. Fally Ipupa and 2face is a long due duet. Diaspora woman makes the wait. For a dance track,the lyrics of that song is unbelievable. It extols the virtues of the African woman(albeit in diaspora)so much I had to ask myself if African babes abroad are really this virtuous! Pardon me. That's a joke. Great song. 8/10

14. Jeje- 2face's best impression of Fela. Amazing. Pure,unadulterated Afrobeats. Fela will be very proud. We've seen a few attempts by contemporary acts at doing Afrobeats,but none sounds as original as this. 2face is indeed ascending from Mr consistent to Mr. Versatile. I always put Jeje on replay. Everybody should feel this world over. 9/10

15. Lesse Passe ft Sir Victor Uwaifo - Two legends,different generations,perfect synergy. Highlife jam for the mamas and papas. Kayode Fashola would have been proud. 2face held his own and the Sir Uwaifo played his part in making an epic song. 7/10

16. Ife Dinma ft Tony Oneweek - Gyration master,Tony Oneweek attempts a comeback. Who else to welcome him back to the game but 2face? Very groovy song. The igbos should love this very much. 6/10.

17. Not A Surprise - Raggae. Last tracks of most albums sound underwhelming. This is no different for me. Sounds like a freestyle 2face would have done at the tail end of a long stage performance. Would've preferred a skit outro. Cheers

Overall,The Ascension is a proof of 2face's versatility and also he delves into new depths leaving his comfort zone. But he seems to be convinced that's the next level for him. This album will break new bounds but I'm a bit not completely sure of how well it will do in the Nigerian market. Time will tell.

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By

Seun Olukoya - @Arsenalian