The roads may be bad but these artistes have created the perfect cruise through Lekki

A-Q sits in a blurry place in the pantheon of Nigerian rappers.

A gifted lyricist and songwriter, he is riding his peak at a time when Nigerian hip-hop is on the decline and the media are more likely to celebrate a Twitter skirmish than an album release.

While his work is judged against the best products of a bygone era, he gets no credit for being the best in his class.

Yet, as he has proved on each of his four studio albums, A-Q is a link between what many call the most successful era of Nigerian rap and the present, where 'vibe' is a keyword and a guideline.

“Lekki ExpressWay”, a song off his new album “Blessed Forever” is a testament to that fact.

Produced by Beats By Jayy, "Lekki Express Way" puts you in a sedan cruising through Ozumba Mbadiwe on a Sunday afternoon, with ladies in the backseat, brandy in the front and a phone that’s ringing off the hook.

The song kicks off with new wave act, Wavy The Creator sprinkling her trademark airy vocals over lush electro-pop and dance effects. They are held together by a simple bass line that cries out for South African House and European Dance music in equal measure.

Wavy’s ad libs lay a smooth entry for A-Q, who comes in with one of the verses of the year delivered in near-perfect cadence.

The combination of rapper and vocalist complement each other almost perfectly.

Across his three verses, A-Q’s delivery is flexible, running through various flows yet deliberate,  a function of the story he tells.

On the third verse, he raps, “I do not dance. If it’s not about money, it’s not in my plans. I don’t need an advance, I’m taking it all or you’re seeing my mans”, outlining the ideals and rules that he follows as he chases acclaim and wealth as a Nigerian rapper.

In contrast, Wavy floats through her hook, to a calming, almost psychedelic effect. Even though the singer/photographer is only a relative neophyte in the scene (She recorded and released her debut “H.I.G.H” only months ago), there is nothing that reflects her novelty as a recording artist.

Instead, she holds her own without over-imposing, as she reminds both A-Q and the listener that they have no idea where this journey will take them, or whether they will survive it.

"Lekki Express Way" is a metaphor for A-Q’s journey through the murky waters in pursuit of that elusive point where artistry and success met.

As the song winds down and Wavy The Creator croons her intention to go despite her fears, you get the feeling that A-Q might be inching closer to that point.