It’s a long time coming, but “Odysseus” album is almost at our door step

All of the true Hip hop heads will soon have their dreams become real. There’s a new Jesse Jagz album on the way, and everyone can smack their lips as he returns with a new project.

This isn’t some distant promise from the ‘god’ on the mic. Neither is it tied to speculation and numerous failed attempts to fly. It isn’t a careless but hopeful and ambitious tweet, done in the middle of the night,  at 3AM when deep thoughts keep Jagz awake, and he wonders what the meaning of life is.

This is happening. Right in front of us. The album art for his new project, “Odysseus,” has been released, with a promised ‘specific’ date this June, and it all feels unreal. It’s hard to be a Hip hop fan who still believes that Jesse Jagz will drop a new album, and begin a campaign of promoting it.

During his first departure from Chocolate City in 2013, Jesse Jagz became prolific. Two great albums passed his lips into the music space, and everyone could not have enough. Jesse Jagz. Dropped the critically acclaimed projects “Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thine Nation Come,” in 2013, and the diverse “Jagz Nation, Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company.”

These albums elevated his status among rap enthusiasts to god level, and no matter what happened after that, Jesse Jagz is still beyond reproach. He returned to Chocolate City to join his promoted sibling M.I Abaga, in 2015.

And his juice stopped flowing. Promises to drop new projects were made, announcements were done, and fans were excited. But the music did not come.

No project came from Jagz. Instead, a few singles were put out, and nothing more. Jagz and the Chocolate City management shared no strategy. And very soon, Jesse Jagz began to complain publicly.

He left for the second time in 2016. And began work on his projects.

I met Jesse Jagz in December 2016 at the Freedom Park, Lagos. He was hanging out with Vector, and having a drink. We exchanged hugs and happy handshakes, before he began to detail his forthcoming work. He was pumped full of energy, and rubbed his hands as he spoke on his projects.

“Tell them, Joey,” He said. “They are not ready for what would hit them.”

Well, I wasn’t ready either, but I was hopeful. Jesse Jagz is a rare talent. The type of genius that shows up at the corridors of the industry once in every decade. All he has to do is apply himself some more, and get that creativity off his chest, and into our stereos.

“Odysseus” which will be released this month, has some of that talent in it, and fans can’t wait to hold on to it. There has been many false dawns for the self-styled emperor, but with the release of this artwork, daylight is finally coming for real.