After 24 hours of the release of Lungu Boy by Asake, the album broke Spotify and Boomplay opening day "All Time Record," in Africa. peaked at number 1 in 23 countries, and charted in 100+ countries. After listening to the full album, for some reasons, I felt the intro of the album, which sampled Legendary Asa’s “Eye Adaba,” should have ended with the wording "You are watching a master at work," because Lungu Boy is indeed a masterpiece.
In Asake's case, Lungu boy means Hood or Ghetto boy, or a boy with street credibility. Shouldn't be mistaken for Lungu people in Zambia and Tanzania. From this context, Asake is certainly proud and happy to associate with where he came or Started from, It is also special to him that a Lungu boy is making wave on the world scene.
Music is a universal language that everyone speaks. Even if one doesn't understand the lyrics, one could feel the rhythm and hear the melody to understand the message the artist is trying to pass. The most beautiful part is how music is bridging the gap between various communities. Many people started learning different languages because of the power of music. Asake has devoted fans all over the world, so whenever certain Nigerians come up with the usual bias "Asake should stop using Yoruba language," you will understand it is coming from a place of negativity; Our people shamelessly sang and danced to Gangnam Style by PSY, Despacito by Luis Fonsi, and even various indigenous songs by other Nigerian ethnic groups, so why must the line be drawn whenever it is Yoruba language?
Obviously, nobody will look at Asake and degrade him with the "Local Artiste" tag many of our indigenous artists are been insulted with. Asake is indeed a testimony that you can use your indigenous language to entainter the world. Asake is also one of the biggest musical influencers of Yoruba language on the world scene, and he is doing it beautifully. I honestly cannot count how many people from various countries who have contacted Yorubaness to learn Yoruba language simply because they loved how Asake spoke the language. Personally, Lungu Boy is telling us to be happy, proud, and true to ourselves and our roots. You don't have to be anyone else in order to be accepted.
Lungu boy looks super strategic to me. The album was intentional about capturing the global audience. From the track listing to the tone and language used in the songs, the album featured Wizkid, Travis Scott, Stormzy, Central Cee, and LUDMILLA. While Yoruba Language took the center stage in the album, English, Spanish, and Pigin English beautifully appreciated the album.
The album's production quality is excellent, blending Afrobeats, Fuji, Pop, and Hip-hop to create a unique and catchy sound. The lively instruments, including drums, saxophone, piano, violin, guitar, and percussion, added depth to the music and kept listeners hooked from start to finish. Immediately I heard the violin; it was as if I was holding my soul in my hands. I felt this unexplainable feeling. Asake defined his sound beautifully. The calm Talking drum gently playing in the background was another highlight for me.
"Fuji Vibe" on Asake's Lungu Boy album plays a key role to bring Fuji Music to the world stage. This song blends old-school Fuji with new music trends creating a sound that grabs many different listeners. The catchy beat and lively tunes of "Fuji Vibe" connect Fuji Music's deep cultural roots to what people like in music today making it easy for more people around the world to enjoy. Asake's fresh take on mixing Fuji Music with his style shows how this traditional style can fit in anywhere and stand the test of time. "Fuji Vibe" has an appeal that reaches far and wide introducing Fuji Music to new fans across the globe and getting them excited about it. This helps to put Fuji Music on the map worldwide. The song acts as a strong example of the culture and musical creativity in Fuji Music showing it's a lively and relevant style in today's global music world.
Asake's "Lungu Boy" is a lyrical masterpiece that skillfully weaves vivid narratives, resonating deeply with the audience on a personal level. The emotive delivery and poetic imagery add layers of depth and complexity to the songs, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
The musical arrangements in "Lungu Boy" exhibit a remarkable level of innovation by seamlessly blending traditional Fuji elements with contemporary music styles. This fusion of diverse musical influences creates a unique sound experience that challenges genre conventions and pushes boundaries.
Asake's vocal performance in "Lungu Boy" is truly exceptional, showcasing a wide vocal range, emotive delivery, and impeccable control. His dynamic vocals bring an added layer of intensity and emotion to the songs, elevating the overall listening experience.
Asake's "Lungu Boy" solidifies his position as a music industry superstar, showcasing not only his musical prowess but also demonstrating a cohesive sound, thoughtful lyrics, and an innovative approach to music that is sure to leave a lasting impression on listeners.
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