Album Review: Rudeboy Takes Baby Steps on Rudykillus
The veteran singer reinvents himself as a solo artiste—with modest success.
In 2017, when Nigerian music duo P-Square disclosed that they had disbanded and would chase solo careers, many of their fans were hurt. The identical twins of Peter and Paul Okoye had an 18-year career that spawned six albums and numerous hits and awards. Their music, which was a combination of hip-hop, R&B, EDM and afrobeats, was a staple in the lives of many listeners in Nigeria and across the world.
Paul Okoye, under the stage name of Rudeboy, struck gold in 2019 when two of his singles—“Reason with Me” and “Audio Money”—became smash hits. Both songs, didactic in tone, drew inspiration virtues like patience and contentment. “Reason with Me,” which was the most viewed music video in Africa on YouTube in 2019, currently has 113 million views; “Audio Money” earned Rudeboy a Best Street-Hop Artiste nomination at the 2020 Headies. “Woman,” another single, didn’t reach the heights of those two but it increased anticipation for a body of work from Rudeboy.
With Rudykillus, his 12-track debut album, Rudeboy is officially reintroducing himself on the Nigerian music scene. The project parades genres such as afro-pop, highlife, reggae and dancehall. The production team includes Chrisstringz, Selebobo, Orbeat and Lordsky.
Rudykillus, unfortunately, doesn’t start on an inspired note. On the opener “Nowhere to Go,” Rudeboy fills the song with lyrics from different P-Square songs. Rendered in a freestyle-like manner, it doesn’t make for an enjoyable listen. The most cogent explanation will be that he wants to tug the emotional strings of P-Square-starved fans.
Things get better on “Ayoyo,” which samples Nelly’s “Dilemma” and is eerily similar to Master KG’s “Jerusalema.” On the chorus, names—Ifeoma, Nneoma and Chioma—are not just names: they take on meanings that push Rudeboy’s narrative of being happy at finding love. On “Something Must Kill a Man,” Rudeboy sings of a sexual encounter that he can’t avoid even if he tries to.
There is a flurry of love songs on the album. On the highlife number “Ego Nekwu,” Rudeboy promises to give his lover all that she wants. On “Fall in Love,” which is a reggae tune, he reiterates his promises to his lover.
On “Catch Your Fever,” Rudeboy is sick and, according to his doctor’s prescription, the affection of his lover is the drug he needs. “He tell me say one in the morning (after me breakfast)/ Another in the afternoon/Two before bedtime (And after midnight)/Overdose till the break of dawn,” he sings. The romance-filled lyrics continue on “4 Days,” “Hey Mama,” and “No Gimme Space.”
On “Focus,” Rudeboy has chosen to ignore the opinions of the public and fix his attention on his life and money. He rejects poverty on “Broke Land.” In his view, a man not having money deprives him of many things in life, most especially the affection of women. “If you want to know who you really are/Check your pocket that is who you are,” he sings. On the reggae-flavoured “Ihe Neme,” he is thankful to God for his growth and informs his enemies that while they fight against him, he will continue to prosper.
Rudykillus doesn’t stray from the sound palette of previously released singles and songs from the P-Square era: observations about society as regards love and money, all couched in mid-tempo rhythm. What is also clear, though, is that Rudeboy will be fine. That should offer small comfort to fans of P-Square.
Go HERE to stream Rudykillus.