BADYOUTH\’s Master Groove Is As Good As A Debut EP Can Go

In an earlier article about the growth of music and the Afrobeats genre in Nigeria, this writer had enthused that if there was anything the country was adept at exporting, it would be its music, and in this album under scrutiny, BADYOUTH illustrates that.

Before now, in all honesty I had never heard or listened to his music. Now, suffice to say I am drawn to his sound and truthfully, an EP does not get better than this Master Groove.

With the new crop of artistes flooding music streaming apps and pushing their craft on social media, there is always a plethora of songs and albums to listen to, that for the audience can be overwhelming, meaning you might likely stick with the mainstream artistes, rather than opening yourself to new sounds.

However, when you find a good project like BADYOUTH’S Master Groove, you know you’ve hit the mother lode and this is what you’v been seeking and searching for.
In the 8-track EP, BADYOUTH comes fully made. He understands what is at stake for him, an upcoming act seeking to break into the industry and he plunges the knife deep into the cheese, twisting it left and right to splatter the beauty everywhere.

An Afrobeats album, the production is the first thing that will enthrall you. Each song is beautifully produced, with a bang of drums and a staccato and undeniable eclectic rhythm.

In Street Hard, a Hip Hop/Rap track, it is an introduction to what the artiste represents and a window to his personality. He raps about how he puts his mind into his work and believes in himself, the truth he tells himself and the many aspirations of his.

In Kalanga, which is this writer’s favorite track on the album, he subtly shades those who want to be single and have no interest in romantic relationship. While at the time of writing this, the true meaning of Kalanga is unknown, it is definitely a street slang for single people. BADYOUTH definitely had this writer in mind when he wrote this Afrobeats song. The way he weaves in and out of the instrumental is pure magic. A lovely song.

Fireman is an Afrobeats, Afro-fusion song where he wants to “nack your biggy backka”. There is no lie when he says “gbedu wey dey enter vein/gbedu wey dey bounce/gbedu make you dance.”

Yawa is an Afro-fusion song that has the best lyrics on the EP. The repetition of “Yawa” as a chorus makes it all the more desirable. BADYOUTH has a gruff voice and it just blends well on this song.

Surprisingly, he brings the subject of love to play on the album in ‘Because of You’. While for this writer, it is a good song, it doesn’t fit in with the image the album sends out. Topics like love and affection should not have been included here.
And there’s Master Grove, an Afro-fusion song from which the album takes its name. It is a good way to end a beautiful project.

Read more: Music Review: Chyme’s Acknowledgement EP Is An Audience-Selective Project

The album is more expressive than anything and it should be applauded, because that makes it authentic and without lies, a trend that is fast pervading the art of music making.

Nonetheless, the sound is not all that new as we’ve heard it before and that’s okay, because nothing is ever new. The interesting thing is how Badyouth manages to own the sound and make it his own. He’s in full control of each song and nothing passes him without his print.

It is however, good music and that in itself without a review or being a music buff is evident enough.

Photo Credit: Instagram

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