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JJC displays immense ‘Skillz’ and introspection on rich LP

JJC’s ‘Skillz’ album is worthy of immense praise and acceptance. With 18 tracks, the veteran displays all the qualities and understanding that age and growth affords an entertainer.

 

Album - ‘Skillz’

Artiste – JJC Skillz

Guest Appearances – Praiz, Kate Henshaw, Ice Prince, Dresticks, Boy Wonda, Victoria Kimani, Skales, Justina, Silvastone, Vector, Seyi Shay

Producers – Dr Frabz, Puffy Tee, BigBoyzBand, Pheelz, Mr Green, TeeBeeO, ON Productions, Silvastone, and more

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Record label – BigBoyz Entertainment (2015)

Duration – 65 Minutes

“I’m the one they call JJC…” That’s what hits you as click the play button on this album. It’s an affirmation of the artiste’s pedigree, and a reminder of the weight the name bears.

Within the music circles, JJC is a legend in his right. One of the earliest exports of Nigeria to the UK, the music mogul has had a rich career in music enterprise. He founded the Big Brovaz music group, won multiple awards, split and subsequently became the leader of the defunct 419 Squad which gave birth to Don Jazzy’s dynasty and D’banj’s greatness.

In a stretched perspective, you can call him the musical ancestor of Mo’Hits, Mavins, and DB Records. The seeds he planted have over time blossomed and become trees.

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This album opens with a journey through this rich life of the veteran performer, singer, rapper and producer. ‘My life’, an autobiographical record laced with exquisite story-telling mixed with introspection and flair, sets the tone for what is a musical journey.

“I never really had a plan B, music and video was the future that I could see…” the JJC belts off, before letting the listener in on his intense tale.

The depth of ‘Skillz’ continues with ‘See us now’ which affords us a rare moment of vocal magic from Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw. It is a projection of hope, happiness and prosperity for Nigeria. Acknowledging the challenges that the country has had in its formative years, JJC and Henshaw can only see the good in this inspirational duet. This is a gem for optimists.

“They say you get old when regrets replace your dreams…just to exist now is not enough…the purpose of life is a life with a purpose…” JJC drops further knowledge and experiential wisdom on ‘Forget me no’, a song which Praiz adds finesse. Organs tingle; the guitars come in as Alternative Rock further blesses listeners.

With optimism and life’s wisdom comes love, and this is where the ‘Skillz’ album possesses its greatest strenght. The best song on this LP, ‘Save the last dance’ is pure romance. It is a track of trust, as JJC sings to his lover, affording her freewill to experience life within the boundaries of mutual respect. “No matter what they tell you, you never lose control, that’s why I trust you with my heart and soul.” The contemporary highlife song flows with synths, beats, guitars, horns, and clapping touching the deepest parts of you. There is also a French version of this beauty titled ‘Gardier la dennier danse’. Such is the beauty of this track.

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‘Eru’ keeps in line with this too. “Everywhere you go I go follow…everything I want girl you own it…beauty you own it, sexy legs, you own it”…This is the true Romeos track.

The romance gets a bit stale in ‘Shikena’ with Victoria Kimani, and goes out as he hits a romantic low in ‘Social media’, where loves and loses his girlfriend. Reality check never gets this hard.

Afro pop albums are popular for their dance tracks, and JJC is not lacking in this department. Olamide teams up with him on ‘Motiwa’. ‘Milengbe’ with Dresticks also fills up this quota. Dance is littered through the album, with a number of tracks possessing a thumping bass line.

Skillful musicians are known for their bravery in experimentation and a number of songs are given to these experiments in melody.

‘African Skank’, with its mashup of genres is too disruptive to enjoy, but he gets it big in the heavily sampled 80’s disco song, ‘Jaye’, off New Edition’s 1984 single,‘Cool it off’. ‘International African’ and ‘Thank God’ will keep you on the fence at first, but it brings you in eventually.

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JJC’s ‘Skillz’ album is worthy of immense praise and acceptance. With 18 tracks, the veteran displays all the qualities and understanding that age and growth affords an entertainer. Concentrating on lyrical value, while cutting down the appeal to radio, ‘Skillz’ strikes the right technical and artistic balance.

This is a good LP, representative of the diverse Nigerian music terrain, and a record that listeners will be proud to own. It is all you need.

Rating: 3.5

Ratings Board

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