EP Review: Dai Verse Tells His Truth on Warrior’s Child
A coming-of-age project from the Afropop singer.
2021 marked the rise of a new wave of Nigerian music talent. Mavin Records introduced Ayra Starr with her self-titled EP; D’Prince’s Jonzing World unveiled Ruger through his Pandemic EP, and Lojay made a striking impression via his joint project with Sarz. Amid the noise, Dai Verse—real name Ifeanyi Chinemerem Akandu—captured attention with his single “Your Body (Cocaine),” an ode to romance and devotion. Back then, he hid behind ski masks and face caps, but his voice—melodic and free-flowing—spoke volumes.
Today, the disguises are gone, and so too are the veils in his music. A tough difficult marked management challenges has shaped him into someone more grounded, more reflective. That evolution began to take shape on last year’s single “Salt,” where he dove into familial responsibilities and career struggles. Drawing on the spiritual—common ground for many Nigerians grappling with hardship—he offered himself up to a higher power, singing: “Let me be sincere with you, this movie no dey sweet o/But, I’m trusting on your will o/ I follow for your pace o, cos/Whoever that is running without you na disgrace o.”
Now signed to EMPIRE, Dai Verse seeks a fresh start with his EP, Warrior’s Child. The cover features childhood photos—alongside his late father, mother and siblings. “But I was born to win this struggle/I was born to win this war,” he declares on the title track, finding strength in hushed hums and layered chords. On “LLF,” short for Live, Love and Fight, he embraces life’s dualities, singing, “That’s the way of the world.”
Complexities arise on “Save Me,” where he mourns a relationship that sapped his peace. “I agree that I’m in love/But I go stop, and I calm down/Because e dey worse/If this is love, carry your cross,” he sings, choosing peace over persistence. On “Social Misconduct,” he reflects, “There’s no love in this construct/I’m steady working for comfort,” laying bare his imperfections. Across the EP, Dai Verse’s mid-tempo Afropop production allows space for vulnerability and emotional depth.
Rising Afrobeats artist VASA makes the EP’s only guest appearance. On “What If,” he sings: “Na woman wey follow me suffer go dey front seat/The rest go order Uber,” joining Dai Verse in valuing loyalty and shared struggle over superficial romance. With mellow vocals and sincere writing, Dai Verse may draw comparisons to Victony, yet he forges a distinct identity. He collaborates with Hoodini—half of the duo KTIZO, famed for their work with Victony—on “Demons,” a prayer for divine protection from enemies.
The emotional centerpiece of Warrior’s Child is “DND,” where Dai Verse reflects on his upbringing, the loss of his father, and his commitment to his craft. “I’ll rather win together than to win alone/I will never leave my brother to dey toil alone/You want to know the reason we dey hustle for/Freedom, freedom,” he sings. On “Salt,” he had opened with a voice note from his mother—praying, affirming, grounding. That same familial ethos runs throughout the EP, shaping his resilience.
Warrior’s Child offers a window into Dai Verse’s trials, his drive, and his triumphs. It’s a relatable project, steeped in the lived experience of young Nigerians striving to succeed. More than a musical diary, it’s Dai Verse’s declaration—to listeners and to himself—of what matters, and who he’s doing it all for.
Go HERE to Stream Warrior’s Child.
Read More
EP Review: Ice Prince & Chopstix Rekindle a Decade-Long Chemistry on Starters
Get Familiar with Oyedele, the Dream-Chasing Sound Alchemist
Album Review: Obongjayar Finds Power in Vulnerability on Paradise Now
EP Review: Love, Life, and Versatility on Winny’s Commercial Break