EP Review: On Young & Reckless, Veeiye Has No Scruples
The former Big Brother Naija housemate delivers her first project as a singer.
Under the moniker, Veeiye, Victoria Adeyele joins the long list of Big Brother Naija (BBN) housemates who, after leaving the Nigerian reality TV show, pursued a career in music. Early this year, Laycon, the winner of the fifth edition of BBN and unarguably the most successful so far at navigating post-reality TV show hype and producing success as an artiste, released his debut album and recently put out a sophomore project. Veeiye, who was one of Laycon’s co-contestants in BBN, is building her story with her debut five-track EP Young & Reckless, which enjoys production from Pheelz, Timothy King, Louddaaa and Eyes.
Before moving to Lagos for BBN, Veeiye, who was born and bred in London, had put out singles, even performing at the Show Dem Camp-founded Palmwine Music Festival in 2019. After her appearance on the biggest African TV show, where she found love, Veeiye capitalized on the moment and began promoting her music by releasing a single and collaborating with Nigerian rapper Ycee on an episode of the Budweiser Smooth Kings Remix show.
“Do It” kicks off Young & Reckless with a bang. “These niggas for the streets/No strings attached/I just fuck ‘em then I leave,” Veeiye sings. On the R&B cut, she portrays a ruthless and unapologetic woman who has no issues ditching any man that undermines her. She backs her status with the promise-laden chorus: “I can do it, cheat on you/I can do it, break your heart in two/I can do it, lie to you.”
She loses some of that confidence on “Enter my Head,” which features Laycon. Both artistes reveal their agitation about letting people into their lives because they are unsure who is on their side. “‘Cos I don’t know who’s got my back/So I keep my defence/Mek dem no come attack yeah,” Veeiye sings. Laycon delivers a catchy chorus on Pheelz’s afrobeats-infused production.
On “Show,” the project’s lead single, Veeiye sings of her affection for her lover. She is not shy to reveal that good sex and deep pockets are the reasons she is lovesick. Pheelz’s afro-pop production boasts of vibrant drums, percussion and saxophone.
“Forbidden Fruit” is a Mavin Records affair. Produced by in-house producer Louddaaa and featuring the label’s artiste LADIPOE, the contemporary R&B track emphases a love that is destructive—Veeiye plays the role of a woman who, though in a relationship, is attracted to another man. LADIPOE is the other man who sates Veeiye’s curiosity; underneath his measured verse is guilt but he coats his emotion with complicity.
On “No Time,” Veeiye expresses her sexual fantasies and desire to her lover. Her details are picturesque and there is verve in her voice as she bounces through cadences. The track ties into the overarching theme of Young & Reckless—bold, loud and nonconforming. It is clear that she is a talented singer and, with Young & Reckless, she demonstrates that she is one to fix attention on.
Go HERE to stream Young & Reckless.
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