Attifaya announces himself with 'Faya Vibes' [EP Review]

This might be the first time you've heard of Attifaya, but you've definitely heard from him before. Before becoming Attifaya, he was called Attitude, the convener of 2019's proper 'gbef music' titled, 'Higher Your Body' featuring Mayorkun, Reekado Banks and BOJ.

He's contributed to some of your favourite songs over the past four years, but that's not the story for now.

The story is Faya Vibes, the five-track EP that the Rapper-Singer-Sung-Rapper hybrid released a few days ago and it might be worth your time. Production is handled by Altims, Tempoe and Type A. 'Funk,' opens up the EP to Afro-fusion/Afro-swing sounds and dancehall percussion.

"Wasn't born in April, I can't be fooled..." is a weak line, but the overall spirit of the song and its deft use of rap as mode of delivery is commendable. It's simple, straightforward and easily digestible. It also suits the Afro-pop sound like UK rappers use Afro-swing to create more radio friendly sounds.

'Just Vibes' is this writer's favourite song on this EP and he dreams of a remix featuring BOJ, Falz and Ajebutter22. The commercial potential of this songs comes from its messaging and the madness what Type A and Altims conjured on the beat - a fusion of Afro-pop snares and strings, and rap-friendly percussion.

The deceptive cadence on that hook is also commendable, with its conveyance of Attifaya's braggadocio and vindictive lines. Oh, he sells 'Just Vibes' and we're buying. 'WTF' is the anthem of a Yoruba demon - or in more acceptable terms, a playboy. Built on what Blaqbonez calls the 'Boombastic sound,' it features the rapper.

It's also no coincidence that it's produced by Tempoe. While Attifaya and Blaqbonez admire the women they respectively sing about, it almost feels like they're joining issues with and producing a male-oriented version of Rihanna's 'Needed Me.' Now we men also have an excuse for bad behaviour. Inject into my bloodstream, viva patriarchy!

'Reckless' is an Afro-swing song that houses a warped out vocal sample for its hook and strings suited to an 'action film' for other parts. 'Reckless' might be called 'an excuse' for bad behaviour in this woke world, but it's just a warning by Attifaya. Call it a caveat - this is fire music, abeg.

'Tension' is yet another Afro-swing song that feels like something B Young would make. Attifaya sings about a sexual encounter. He sings, "Tension, pressure wasn't my intention," but that part is slightly confusing. How does that relate to sex, there is an explanation but it's quite confusing - that's the point.

Faya Vibes sounds like the fusion of Afro-Caribbean sounds from predominantly lower-class, black neighborhoods with what Falz, Sess, Prettyboy D-O, Higo and Blaqbonez can produce when they want to rap and make pop music. In other words, it's fire.

Attifaya should be proud, this is an impressive EP. It will be interesting to monitor his journey from here - he definitely has something. Keep going, Attitude... Sorry, Attifaya.

Ratings: /10

• 0-1.9: Flop

• 2.0-3.9: Near fall

• 4.0-5.9: Average

• 6.0-7.9: Victory

• 8.0-10: Champion

Pulse Rating: /10

7.0 - Victory