Major Banggz aids Terry Apala out of the throes of depression on, 'Major Vibes' [EP Review]

When the uber-talented Terry Apala and one of Nigeria's most accomplished music producers of the past 10 years link up, there is only ever going to be one outcome; flames. Okay wait, read that as quality music. Americans also call it, sauce. So, sauce!

In January 2020, Terry Apala had an interview with this writer in the Pulse Nigeria studios and he spoke about being depressed upon having label troubles and being unable to release music. Sadly, his touted and weighed signing to Burna Boy's Spaceship and MAVIN Records never quite worked out, so he had to fight his way back.

When Terry Apala launched onto the Nigerian scene in 2017 with, 'Champagne Showers' on a trap beat that producer, Sess compelled him to try out, he was hailed as Nigeria's answer to trap appeal. His ability to combine the soul of Nigerian folk and Apala with Trap/Hip-Hop beats was something most people didn't see coming from a church boy.

But after things started going sour in 2018, he slowed down. He kept releasing music, but they never quite gripped the audience like his 2017 releases did. But commendably, the quality never dipped - not once. This time, he returns with the six-track EP, Major Vibes with Major Banggz - a production vet who has overcome the worst.

"It's Terry Apala and Major Banggz nah, it will always be fire. Terry's is like Future - his voice is an instrument on its own. What that boy needs is a good beat, if it's now a Hip-Hop beat, it's total destruction," said an OG on the day Major Vibes EP dropped. That OG was right.

Major Vibes is a combination of personal tales and societal stories, geared to the Nigerian mainstream audience and delivered in Yoruba, English and Pidgin with the flow of a Hip-Hop artist. It is also built on the beautiful brain-work of a producer who has not made an average beat in over 10 years.

What opened that EP is the monstrosity titled, 'Halle.' Before we go ahead, just know that this writer has had that song on repeat since Friday, August 14, 2020. 'Halle' is built on a JUSTICE League-esque bit of production that Rick Ross, Drake or Meek Mill will have soundgasms on.

Apala used it to appreciate his fans and discuss his formation. On that song's third verse, Apala started flipping like Busta Rhymes. On 00:21 of 'Halle' sits something special. On 'Apala Drill' sits a beat that starts off like Yung 6ix's, 'Sho Le.' With an alley-hoop from A-O The Machine, Apala goes into beast mode.

It doesn't matter what he's even saying, this music is just too good. Even though 'How Far' is the most underwhelming song on this project, it's still not even average. The credit for everything related to 'Feeling Fly' belongs to Major Banggz and Major Banggz alone.

'Maruwa' is socio-political. With underlying guitar solos littering the way, Apala changes his vocal texture as he discusses the struggles of a family by using 'Maruwa' as a symbol of the strife. In Nigeria, 'Maruwa' is a colloquialism for the the tricycle. A means of transportation, 'Maruwa' is seen as the option for mostly the underprivileged. Sadly, Sanwo-Olu has banned them.

'Bye Bye' sounds like a Pheelz percussion, but defined by saxophones and guitar uses that only Major Banggz can conjure up.

This is not the best Terry Apala can do. Call it sentiment, but this writer would like Terry Apala to produce more Hip-Hop-suited songs like, 'Halle,' 'Apala Drill' or even, 'Feeling Fly.' For now, this writer shall continue to leave, 'Halle' on repeat via his YouTube Music app. We move... But Is it too late for Terry Apala? Maybe not. This is too much talent.

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

8.0 - Champion