BlackMagic, Kid Konnect show adaptability on ‘Black Friday EP’

jonathan

October 12, 2015 7:23 AM

“Black Friday” hosts Kid Konnect’s arrangements which are generally pretty faithful to Blackmagic’s alternative oration and adaptability.

Mixtape - Black Friday

Artiste - BlackMagic, Kid Konnect

Guest Appearances - M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, Adekunle Gold, Sir Dauda, Jhybo

Producers- Kid Konnect

Record Label - #BOB (2015)

Duration - 30 minutes

Blackmagic has received quite some joy in Nigerian music. With two albums to his belt “Version 1.0” and “Version 2.0”), and a number of hit songs including ‘Repete’ and ‘Pass you by’, the man keeps his authentic blend of alternative rap and singing on by teaming up with Kid Konnect for an EP.

“Black Friday” is a further exhibition of this skill. It has the full spectrum of his Blackmagic’s versatility. It kicks off with ‘100’, mid-tempo song demanding for the best of time, effort and commitment from everyone. Blackmagic justifies this by flowing on about his principle of being at his best, hence the need for reciprocation.

Afrobeat comes in next, as the singer keeps the tempo constant as he serenades his lady with more promises to keep her as his top priority. This song embodies all that Blackmagic stands for. On pure instrumentation, he raps, sings and puns, while tying it all into a good joint.

The tenderness continues on the next song, and comes closer home. Blackmagic reaches into his core traditional African space to retrieve ‘Rock your body’, a Highlife tune which contains piano sampling reminiscent of the hallowed 90’s owambe sounds. He is not alone on this. Adekunle Gold weighs in with his increasingly popular vocals, and the dexterity of Sir Dauda connects it all. Kid Konnect brought this so beautiful together.

Just when you begin to feel all mushy with the romance and soft lyrics, the tempo switches up as the Chocolate City Trap-Kings make an entrance in style on ‘NATMS’ (Niggas ain’t telling me shit). They all come together to fire the haters with braggadocio and affirmations of superiority. This song is curiously personal to a degree previously unexplored on this work.

The personal-centred spiel continues on ‘Stress’. An eerie, haunting instrumentation marries a healthy Trap bass line, to form a sonic pad which the rapper uses to hurl dynamism and versatility at you, while drawing you into his personal struggle.

A sharp drop happens as we continue this journey into the realm of conscious music On ‘Peace Sign’. “Pastor dey quote him scripture, because of money all of us turn politician.” Among these words of depth and sanity, there is a steady melody that makes this the perfect balance of dance and cerebral utility.

“Black Friday” hosts Kid Konnect’s arrangements which are generally pretty faithful to Blackmagic’s alternative oration. But when he affords himself some licence, as we see on ‘Peace Sign’, the result becomes pure magic, that underlines Blackmagic’s greatest strengths, where as a singer or rapper: his chameleonic sense of adaptability.