Saeon Moruda is reborn on ''Birth Of The BoyChick'' album

The mob boss look on the cover art is a signal that she now embraces a persona different from what was registered on our minds when she released her single, 'Boogie Down' with Wizkid in 2014, which led to a now effacing controversy and on her debut EP, ''I Am Saeon'' same year.

And like she admitted in 2016, during an interview with Pulse, where she spoke on the upcoming project, and laid a pointer to the direction her music was set to take.

“I resurrected and finetuned the #BoyChick with the #87Swags in look and sound and the Swags broken down to represent my music, BackPacks, #MorudanBraids and natural hair, my demeanor, outfits and footwear (mostly gotten from the men's section) and content in general.''

Earlier in the year, she shared on her social media pages that she has been dealing with some ailments which have kept her off the scene.

Now she is back and in more ways than one, putting out this album is Saeon's best move since emerging on the scene, and one look at the tracklisting on the project gives an exciting insight of what to expect.

''Birth Of The BoyChick'' is all about her, as the 15-track album parades a lean guest appearance with only rapper Falz making it on the tape.

'Vultro' is a good way to begin her rebirth story as the intro allows her listeners into another therapy session, [the therapy bug is catching all], she is vulnerable, talking about her pains, self-evaluation, constant battles, at this point I just need the music to begin, but her voice is charming so it encourages me to listen to the end, ''I hope that my rebirth evokes your rebirth.''

The follow up track which bears a 'warning sign' is Saeon straight rapping, this is Kel in 2009 when she dropped the ''Investment'' album, flow is smooth, brash lyricism, she is all convincingly cocky, some corny bars here and there, but damn, someone is angry, I like this.

The opening lines of 'Rebirth' taps into the Kanye interview on Sway in the morning inspiration, and between the rapping and singing, there is enough to let out all her pains.

'Meltdown 48' is a profound trap offering, which is the new constant on every project these days and the first re-introdution to the 'Omo Ibadan', Yoruba speaking Saeon. Her delivery is hot butter, this is a ready made jam as she demands respect for all the years she has been rhyming.

With 'BCOTM', Saeon has scored one that will have rap fanatics losing it, the beat is insane, she is switching her English and Yoruba flow, bringing the energy, the second rap verse is fire, and then she almost ruins this with too much singing.

Previously released singles, 'Aii' and 'Adura' take their spot on the album.

Falz jumps on 'Gbaun', but he is unable to steal the show from Saeon, who puts up a solid verse.

Some of the project's realiest bars are actually hidden in her skits and 'OLIC3 (Lesson Learned)' is as hard and emotional as it gets, as she captures her experience at the third edition of the annual concert hosted by rapper, Olamide

''OLIC3, the biggest show I cut and performed, said I wasn't blown enough, the crowd wouldn't roar, my name not on the list, they turned me back at the door, that shit was so embarrasing, the tears had to pour.''

Where has this aggression been all through the project? damn, this deserved to be a full song.

'Let You In' is a really smooth love tale as Saeon is up in her feelings, 'TL 247', which means 'Timeline 24/7' is the classic RnB joint of love gone sour, while the project comes to a close with a befitting 'Outro'.

Birth Of The BoyChick is proof that Saeon can hold it down as a multi dimensional artist who can rap as well as she sings. Her vocal tone is quite admirable and her delivery lethal.

The values the album seeks to push is one that strays away from the noise of the pop scene and it packs the wholeness of a more confident artist, definitely on her way to bigger things.

However, there are a number of heavy and catchy records here, but they are too few and far between as the album packs quite a number of fillers that puts the whole rebirth theme into question.

For me, the constant urge to switch to singing, even when the song was crying out for her bars dampens the energy on this project.

The beats selection is quite impressive offering plenty of inspiration for her to flourish. This is one of those hip-hop albums that succeeds in making good background music and helping her find her path, but may end up not exactly making a big impression on the scene.

Rating: 3/5

Ratings

1-Dull2-Boring2.5-Average3-Worth Checking Out3.5-Hot4-Smoking Hot4.5-Amazing5-Perfection

[No available link text]