EP Review: It is Reekado Banks’ Moment on OTR Vol. 2
On the project, the Nigerian afro-fusion singer is having a great time, sponsored by “Ozumba Mbadiwe.”
On October 20, 2021, Reekado Banks popped up with a terrific single. The P.Priime-produced “Ozumba Mbadiwe,” which was released one year after the infamous massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, condensed romance-based observations with social commentary in the intriguing soundscape of amapiano. The song, powered by P.Priime’s masterful production and Banks’ catchy lyrics (one of which is a double entendre that Nigerian music journalist Motolani Alake tackles), has become a fan favourite, injecting the afro-fusion artiste’s career with a boost that was absent since his departure from Mavin Records in 2018.
Riding on the wings of the well-received “Ozumba Mbadiwe,” Reekado Banks offers his latest project OTR Vol. 2, which is a follow-up to his 2020 EP Off the Record. In recent times, Banks has, as the slang goes, taken some Ls. Last year, Burna Boy laughed him off after he had indicated an interest in a “hit battle” that the self-acclaimed African Giant had been yearning to launch; on the other hand, Wizkid scolded Banks because he had planned to release a single that featured the former during the nationwide #EndSARS protests. It is fair to believe that Reekado Banks is currently in the zone of Ws.
Nigerian producer P.Priime makes two appearances on the five-track OTR Vol. 2 with “Ozumba Mbadiwe” and “Lupita Nyongo,” which uses the Kenyan film superstar Lupita Nyong’o as muse. Like “Ozumba Mbadiwe,” “Lupita Nyongo” sits in the territory of amapiano. But unlike the former, it concerns itself with a woman’s anatomy as Reekado Banks asks, “How do you fit a denim up on your ass?” On the production, P.Priime replicates the magic from “Ozumba Mbadiwe,” making the song a perfect fit for dancefloors.
On the pop number “Pulling Up,” Reekado Banks casually reveals to a lover that he “fell in lust” with her. Over Jesse Sokari George’s smooth-flowing production, Banks is the music star who is in a relationship with a woman wherein he can’t resist her (as it concerns sex) and she isn’t sure about his commitment. “I ain’t gonna act like I care about something that I really don’t care about/If you got concerns, you can air ‘em out/You don’t have to ask about my whereabouts,” he sings.
Co-produced by Ola Gold & Biggie Jazzy, “Selection” finds Reekado Banks wholeheartedly committing to a lover. “Girl you know you’re my best one/You’ll always be my best bud/There’ll never be a next one,” he sings. Even when he admits his lover has numerous admirers, it doesn’t ruffle his confidence as he believes she is his. Aside from the lovely afro-pop production, Banks shines with his honey-flavoured delivery.
Reekado Banks’ delivery notches up another win on the pop number “Self Esteem.” Here, Banks looks out for a lover who is low on confidence because of past hurts. He advises her to let go of her pain and embrace the love and attention (and sex) he is offering her. He summarizes his intentions when he sings, “Haffi give you mad pipe, give you mad vibe, give you advice, yeah.” In the background, a woman’s moans provide evidence that Banks’ lover has accepted his proposition.
On the outro of “Pulling Up,” Reekado Banks sings, “Right now I feel like I can’t be stopped.” That must be the feeling of a man who is one of the raves of the moment. A man who is forging ahead—one win at a time.
Go HERE to stream OTR Vol. 2.
Read More
EP Review: Victor AD Sounds Refreshed on Nothing to Prove
EP Review: Magixx’s Self-Titled Debut Is a Noteworthy Introduction