Album Review: DJ Neptune Serves as Curator on Greatness 2.0
The Nigerian disc jockey puts together tunes by some of Africa’s biggest names.
Three years after his star-studded debut album Greatness (2018), DJ Neptune returns with his sophomore project Greatness 2.0. Nicknamed Nigeria’s DJ Khaled, DJ Neptune, real name Patrick Imohiosen, has two decades of experience in the industry. His prominence, which began while he was a disc jockey and music librarian at Raypower FM in Lagos, heightened when he dropped his debut M.I-featuring single “123” and its remix, which featured M.I, Naeto C and Dagrin. Over the years, DJ Neptune, who is also a music producer, has used his wide-reaching connections in the industry to unite artistes and music producers on his projects and knock out hit songs.
Like its predecessor, the 16-track Greatness 2.0 curates the current sounds and names influencing the African music industry. On the project, DJ Neptune serves as executive producer and recruits music producers Magic Sticks, Reflex, Deratheboy, Mog, Andre Vibez, Yung Willis, Sess, Fancy Beats, DJ Krept and Speroachbeatz. He calls on MillaMix for mixing and mastering.
Greatness 2.0 starts on a rousing note with the hip-hop number “Rise Up,” which features Nigerian singer Waje and Nigerian rappers Laycon and LADIPOE. Amidst drum beats, a choir’s joyful chants and DJ scratches, the trio proclaims their strength in overcoming tough situations. “Everybody wanna prove it to the haters/But sometimes though it’s close friends that need reminding,” LADIPOE raps in his verse full of clever turns of phrases. Waje’s verse and chorus about overpowering self-doubt is moving, and, in his verse, Laycon tells a grass-to-grace story.
About three weeks ago, Nigerian singer and rapper Rema called out DJ Neptune for including him in Greatness 2.0 without his consent. In response, DJ Neptune released an open letter and screenshots of conversations with Rema’s manager Sean Okeke. These pieces of evidence absolved DJ Neptune of any wrongdoing, which was further strengthened when Okeke apologized for being responsible for the misunderstanding between DJ Neptune and his client. On the afro-pop track “For You,” Rema flaunts his honeyed vocals as he showers a love interest with attention and money.
On “Do and Undo,” DJ Neptune and Nigerian singer Mr Eazi add another record to their series of collaborations. Mr Eazi, whose emPawa Africa DJ Neptune is signed to, blends the love tune with bits of lyricism from his famed Ghanaian roots. Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold makes room for a lover on the pop number “Love Potion.” On “Shitto,” Nigerian singer Yemi Alade, Ghanaian singer Stonebwoy and UK rapper One Acen proclaim their affection for their love interests. Romantic feelings continue on the amapiano-influenced “My Woman,” which features Tanzanian singers Anjella and Harmonize.
A month before the EP The Quarantine Playlist (2020), his collaborative project with Nigerian singer Teni, DJ Neptune scored a hit with the afro-pop tune “Nobody,” which featured Nigerian singer Joeboy and Mr Eazi. The song traveled on airwaves across the world and won the “Best Pop Single” category at the 2020 Headies. The song did so well that towards the end of 2020 DJ Neptune released Nobody: The Extended Playlist (Worldwide Remixes), a compilation that placed the smash hit in other genres and languages around the world. Still, DJ Neptune sneaks the song into Greatness 2.0.
On the trap-influenced “Cupid,” Nigerian rappers Blaqbonez and Cheque want nothing to do with love. They trace their shared dislike to the days the women in their lives took them for granted, the days before their careers blew up. “Thunder fire cupid,” Blaqbonez snaps. On the drill tune “Cash,” Ghanian rapper Kofi Jamar and Nigerian rapper Jeriq make it clear that they “want [their] money long, no time for conversation.” On “On God,” Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda is in a jolly mood as he appreciates his successes and looks ahead to better days. “Happiness is free,” he sings.
The South African music subgenre amapiano finds a place on Greatness 2.0. On “Gaza,” Nigerian afro-dancehall singer Patoranking spits funny, street-friendly lyrics. South African rapper Focalistic claims that he “dey hustle hustle like a Yahoo boy” on “Hustle.” Nigerian rapper Phyno delivers street-smart lyrics on the dance-ready “Recipe.” On “Ololufe,” Nigerian singers Peruzzi and Simi complement each other on the romantic number. Both artistes find delightful pockets of melody as they sing about not getting enough of each other.
“Abeg,” which features Joeboy and Nigerian singer Omah Lay, is a standout track. On the song, both artistes complain about their toxic lovers who they cannot escape because of the sexual pleasures they find in them. Magic Sticks infuses the song with pleasant saxophone notes that serve as sweeteners. Nigerian singer Lojay and Nigerian rapper Zlatan are besotted with a woman’s body on “Only Fan.” Both artistes inject the song with the needed sensual energy.
For a 16-track project, Greatness 2.0 manages to clock in at a decent 48 minutes and 39 seconds. The project is more of a playlist: choose your favourite track and give it multiple spins. This, clearly, equals more wins for DJ Neptune.
Go HERE to stream Greatness 2.0
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