Album Review: Different Versions of Bella Alubo on Bella Buffet
The Nigerian artiste swings from one genre to another and spreads herself too thin.
Early this year, Bella Alubo took to her Twitter page to call out Arokodare Timilehin, the CEO of her former record label Tinny Entertainment, on issues bordering on non-payment of royalties. She has also revealed cases of emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of Timilehin. She wasn’t the only one with a sad story to tell about her stint with the label: erstwhile label mates Ycee and Dapo Tuburna have shared their tales of woe.
Scarred but not knocked down, Bella Alubo continued to put out music as an independent artiste—2018’s re-Bella and 2019’s Summer’s Over, both adding to an impressive catalogue of projects that charts back to 2014 when she began uploading her songs on SoundCloud. Now, the artiste, who started as a rapper and metamorphosed into a singer, has poured years of hard work and patience into Bella Buffet, her long-anticipated 17-track debut album.
Stylized as a buffet meal system, the album offers different versions of Bella Alubo, inviting listeners to select their favourite to relish. On the track list, songs are fitted into several columns: three tracks in “Appetizers,” three tracks in “Soups,” four tracks in “Specials,” four tracks in “Salads,” and three tracks in “Desserts.” Oddly, these dissimilar parts of Bella Alubo, which are framed as the album’s strength, become its weakness.
Bella Alubo sheds off every defeatist mentality on the mesmerizing R&B/dancehall world of “Table for Two.” After a relationship with an unfaithful partner has broken down, she doesn’t feel sorry for herself. She refuses to carry a blame that isn’t hers to bear. “Just another lesson/You’re not my one/It’s not me it’s you,” she sings. She reiterates her feelings of self-belief on “New Rage,” with its futuristic feel backed by clashing drums, electric guitar strings and vocal distortions. Her feelings don’t change on “Nothing to Say,” as she informs a lover that she is aware of his deceitful ways and wants nothing more to do with him.
On “Ybwm,” which features Nigerian rapper Ice Prince and Brooklyn-based Nigerian rapper Sudxn, Bella Alubo brings her rap side to the fore. In their verses, Bella Alubo and Sudxn are unapologetic about their sex appeal and the power they hold over their male love interests. Ice Prince matches their swagger, his lyrics filled with sexual undertones. “Little Bum Bum”' is a ditty wherein Bella Alubo sings that her lover finds no fault in her small bum.
Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez carries his motto from Sex Over Love (2021) into the afro-pop number “Offend Me,” as he informs his love interest that there are other women who will satisfy his sexual fantasies if she doesn’t. Here, Bella Alubo airs her grievances about a lover who doesn’t want to shower her with goodies but just wants to have sex with her. “Location” shifts the album into amapiano territory as Bella Alubo and Nigerian afro-house superstar Niniola produce a carefree jam.
On the reggae-infused “Plantain Song,” which features Dapo Tuburna, Bella Alubo’s velvety vocals suggest that “plantain” might be a for-sex tool that belongs in the same afrobeats-aided family of D’Prince’s banana and Tekno’s cassava but the singer is coy, choosing to reveal that she likes plantain in her Jollof rice and as an ingredient for her black soap. Dapo Tuburna, on the other hand, isn’t shy to disclose that “plantain” is his go-to implement for issues of lovemaking.
An indigene of Benue State, Nigeria and born and bred in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State, Bella Alubo’s attempt at singing in Igbo on the love tune “Dancia” is commendable. Nigerian rapper Zoro delivers his in-Igbo verse that drips with wit and punchlines. On the R&B-soaked “Options,” Bella Alubo is wary about her search for love producing naught. The production on “Know You,” which features Nigerian rapper/singer Dremo, raises the eyebrow and not for good reasons: it mixes elements like percussion and electric guitar strings and drums into an unmelodic broth. The Nigerian producer Syn X, who is a longtime collaborator of Bella Alubo appears on “Only You,” which packs a funk/disco punch.
On “Reputation,” Bella Alubo’s displays a wickedly delicious sarcasm as she sings of a past lover who contracted chlamydia. She reveals that she is happy for two reasons: he got what he deserved and she got sex tips from him that will be useful to a new lover. She goes full-on reggae on “White Lies,” as he recounts the disappointments dealt to her by a lover. On “Green Eyed Monster,” UK-based Nigerian R&B singer Keziah Mallam and Bella Alubo can’t help but be jealous that their love interests have other women in their lives.
Bella Alubo falls back on maternal advice on “Mama Said.” “Mama said/If him no love you/E no fit work,” she sings. The track has an easygoing rhythm that evokes the feeling of a healing balm. On “Olohi,” Bella Alubo sings in her native dialect of Idoma about finding the kind of love she seeks. She sounds relieved and grateful.
It is admirable that Bella Alubo is willing to show her range and versatility on Bella Buffet. A listener is bound to find one or two (or more) songs on the project that they love. Loving the album in its entirety, which is what Bella Alubo must certainly hope for, might be a big ask because it lacks a well-rooted thread connecting the tracks. Like at a buffet party, Bella Alubo’s album forces its guests to choose their favourite and ignore the rest.
Go HERE to stream Bella Buffet.
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