Walking outside the lines of convention in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. Nigerians are a very vocal and brash people, even when uninformed or ignorant about the topic of discussion. To a certain extent, all societies do not encourage individuality or self-expression, but Nigerian society actively aims to snuff it out before someone can discover who they are and what their purpose might be in this world. Parents force children into careers they don’t want, pastors discourage dialogue, aunts and uncles make rude remarks about any personal appearance that veers from “respectability” and the list goes on and on. Creative avenues are policed as consumers tend to push back against art and artists that don’t meet up with their preconceived notions of what Nigerian art should look and sound like. This rings especially true in the realm of music where a new crop of fast-rising musicians are standing firmly outside the lines of convention while trying to redefine what “Nigerian music” really is and what it can be.
Odunsi The Engine is one of the artists at the forefront of a new generation of artists simply looking for the freedom to create the music they have always wanted to. His debut album, ‘rare.’, was released in October of 2018 and from the name alone, it was clear that he wanted to set himself apart from his contemporaries and predecessors. The buildup to ‘rare.’ was a lengthy one as Odunsi kept fans sated with features and stunning promotional imagery that had his growing fanbase clamoring for ‘rare.’ to be released. When it finally dropped, it became clear why that name was chosen. The musical influences from artists like Sade, Ralph Tresvant, Asa, Chris Okotie, and more brought a sound unlike anything currently on the Nigerian airwaves. However, the album was able to truly live up to its name by doing something that many current male Nigerian artists have failed to do: include women.
It is Hamzaa, the soulful young London songstress, that opens up ‘rare.’ with her soaring vocals as she sings “It’s my time, and nobody can tell me nothing.” Hamzaa, whose career is also quickly gaining traction, could easily be singing about herself when she says “I told you I’m ready”. It’s fitting that on a track which is a declaration of coming into yourself, Odunsi is confident enough to cede the track to her, giving her vocals time to breathe and her words time to linger.
Women are a constant presence throughout the course of ‘rare.’ They serve as lyrical muses on songs like ‘falling’ where he is chasing the object of affection, while trying to understand how she keeps making him fall for her. His writing shows a genuine wonder for how he can’t seem to shake thoughts of this girl, a familiar feeling for any young man familiar with the disorienting effect of all-consuming young love. Odunsi doesn’t just limit the presence of women to the role of unseen and unheard muses, he invites them to help sculpt his vision as well, with the talented Seyi Ogunnaike contributing the infectious bassline on ‘falling.’ On lead single ‘divine’, the chorus sees Sola King going back and forth with Davido, holding her own with arguably the biggest name in Nigerian music today. Odunsi shows a level of restraint that gives the female artists on ‘rare.’ all the space they need to let their voices be heard. In creating this space, their voices stick with listeners long after the album is finished. On ‘angel’, duendita’s voice unfolds luxuriously as she sings “and even if I die right now, I’d be your angel.” As her verse comes to an end, Odunsi’s voice floats back in, complementing hers without overtaking it, a microcosm for the album itself.
‘hectic’, the album’s penultimate track, acts as a showcase for three unique and bright talents. 234jaydaa, amaarae, and SOLIS join Odunsi to sing about loving someone who is no longer around. 234jaydaa’s angelic voice opens the song up like a sole spotlight in the dark as she sings “This is not the kind of love I wanted, but this is all I have.” It’s a sobering line that contrasts with amaarae’s sensual aura as she sings about all she wishes to share with her lover. SOLIS’s honeyed tones close out the track with her reflecting on happier times, longing for her present to resemble the past. In the midst of this, Odunsi plays the seemingly unbothered lover whose thoughts can’t help but settle on the woman he desires. Each artist brings their own perspective to the situation, with the women taking center stage . ‘hectic’ sounds like a breath of fresh air, the kind you might savour while taking a walk to distract yourself from the painful memories of a failed relationship. By collaborating with these particular artists, Odunsi lets them share their own feelings and emotions, giving listeners a well-rounded look at the impact that relationships can have when they fade but the emotions still remain.
In a country as maniacally patriarchal as Nigeria, it is no surprise that male voices dominate the music industry. In recent years, the world has taken a significant interest in Nigerian music and artists like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Mr. Eazi have risen to a level of global prominence and recognition. Despite the increased attention that Nigeria is receiving from the world at large, the Nigerian music industry has failed in raising women up to reach the level of their male counterparts. Even Wizkid and Davido, the two pillars of the industry, have failed when it comes to elevating female artists or simply collaborating with them in meaningful ways that could expose them to new audiences. These artists could learn a lesson from ‘rare.’ which is able to transcend a solid concept developed by Odunsi through the voices and sounds of his female collaborators.
Odunsi speaks and carries himself like a person who understands the unique weight of the position that he’s in. It’s great to see that he’s not afraid to uplift the voices of women that the industry tries to marginalise intentionally. He has been able to create a special bond with his female fans because his music does not just pay them lip service, but creates an avenue where women are invited in to create as partners and equals. With a bright career ahead of him, Odunsi has proved that when it comes to making music, he is rare indeed.
