Album Review: 1da Banton’s Original Vibe Machine Produces Enjoyable Vibes
The Nigerian singer makes a strong showing on his debut album.
1da Banton, real name Godson Ominibie Epelle, started his career as a singer, songwriter and producer in Port Harcourt, the Nigerian city where he was born. In 2014, he relocated to Lagos after signing to music video director Adasa Cookey’s Squareball Entertainment. He released a mixtape If Na My Beat in 2015 and an EP The Banton Ep in 2017. “Way Up,” a track off The Banton Ep, earned him his big break. The track was selected as the theme song for the reality show Big Brother Naija in 2018. 1da Banton’s music is a fusion of genres, most notably dancehall and afro-pop.
Original Vibe Machine, 1da Banton’s 15-track debut album, showcases the artiste’s skill in creating love songs spiced with sensual sentiments and danceable tunes that urge listeners to hold on to positivity. The production on the album is pristine and layered - from drums to percussion to trumpets and saxophones. At times, 1da Banton allows the instruments to take the stage, believing that the harmonies can speak directly to a listener, which they do. He produced eight tracks and shares credits with Micon, BlaiseBeatz, Caleb & Eric, Pimpbeatz, Orbeat & Boombeat and Dokashots.
The album begins with the dancehall mood setter “Sekkle Down.” Here, 1da Banton gives off a relaxed tone as he sings admiringly to a love interest. Joining the drums and percussion, the blasts of trumpet complements 1da Banton’s singing. On “Your Body,” his passion for his lover’s anatomy cuts through the drums-and-shaker instrumentals.
Freestyle-like “The Benz” is a fascinating blend of trap and afro-pop. 1da Banton playfully recounts a sexual encounter that happened in the back of the aforementioned car. On “Over,” he has ended a relationship due to his lover’s unfaithfulness but he still remembers the good times they shared. “I’ll miss you, and it’s true, but it’s over/All the fun, all the sex, I’d miss you uh,” he sings.
On “No Wahala,” summer vibes are awakened: guitar strings and piano chords mix with drums as 1da Banton reminds listeners to not give in to the problems of life and lose their joy. He shares the same sentiments on “Palava,” encouraging listeners to increase their hustle and make money so they can enjoy life.
1da Banton’s collaborations on the album are like bread and butter. He and the featured artistes embrace one another’s worlds, injecting the songs with their unique styles. Zlatan isn’t his usual chaotic self on “No Sleeping,” an afro-pop number fit for parties. Seyi Shay and 1da Banton profess love on “911”; they glide over the instrumentals, crooning tender words. On “Flenjo,” fellow Port Harcourt-born singer Duncan Mighty is all for enjoying the good things of life. Ghanaian dancehall singer Stonebwoy spins his patois magic on “Way Up [Remix]” and 1da Banton updates the song with new verses.
On “Sister Love,” 1da Banton bemoans the fact that a woman who he saw as just a friend has fallen in love with him. He and this woman engage in regular sex but she wants more, which he refuses to give her. “She wants me as her lover/But I just wan be her friend/I hope you understand/That I’d never be the one for you,” he sings. On “Don’t Say No,” he pleads with a woman not to reject his advances, telling her that winning her heart is synonymous with winning the World Cup. The emotional gushing continues on “Can’t Stop” and on the amapiano-influenced “In My Head.”
On “Untop Untop,” over percussion and talking drums, 1da Banton recognizes that poverty breeds disrespect and prays for himself and his friends to be wealthy. The song will resonate with every young Nigerian trying to survive the country’s harsh circumstances. “Everybody just dey try to survive for the street o/That’s why we dey grind and dey pray o/Every other day so our hustle go dey pay o/No let nobody tell you say you no go make am,” he sings.
The only drawback with the project is that it sags in the middle section. Between “911” and “Can’t Stop”, the songs share the same characteristics: love songs set on mid-tempo beats. This, however, doesn’t detract from the whole listening experience. With Original Vibe Machine, 1da Banton proves he is here to stay.
Go HERE to stream Original Vibe Machine.