‘I Am Music’
Tha Suspect
Capital Hill Records
The album is finally out. After teasing
fans with singles like ‘Tuaile’, ‘Mugu’ and ‘They Don Dey Move’, Tha
Suspect combines his producing and singing capabilities to create his
debut album, ‘I Am Music’. The album lines up an array of guest
artistes with all tracks receiving at least a guest appearance on the
18-tracker LP. With all tracks tied to his production, he had the
luxury to experiment with different genres going from Fuji to Hip-Life,
Soul, Rap to even a bit of Techno.
His music, which comes across as an
extension of his playful character, sees him playing around with songs
like ‘Tuaile’ and ‘I No Send You’. Both tracks have different versions
on the same album with ‘They Don Dey Move’, also coming with a remix.
It starts
The intro is the dullest part of the
album with Keke Ogungbe rendering poor lines on it. Immediately after
the drab moment is the feel good song ‘They Don Dey Move’ featuring
label mate, illBliss. The song is defiantly one for the clubs with its
catchy beat – typical strictly-for-the-dance-floor track. The remix
puts Muna on the track while still retaining illBliss, but fails to cut
as much impact as the original. It becomes boring and monotonous with
many repetitions.
‘Mugu Remix’ is the second song on the
CD and has the Chantey music rave, Terry G, and Frank D’Nero on it. The
track successfully delivers catchy eccentric styles from the trio. Up
next is another single off the album, ‘Tuaile’ (a lingo generally used
to show respect). The track once again features illBliss as well as
Shank and introduces female rapper, Zee, and Young Millz. Both newbies
come correct as they spit bars that match the musical capabilities of
Shank and illBliss.
‘Tuaile’s Ragga version retained Shank
and brings in Skin, while the Fuji version is with Fuji ace, Pasuma
Wonder. Both tracks qualities further show the musical creativity of
Tha Suspect. ‘Eye Don Tear’ borrows the talent of Kennis Music’s
superstar Jaywon, alongside Side One and Skin to render song that turns
out to be another ‘sore thumb’ for the album.
A new version of ‘For My Life’
(originally listed on Rooftop MCs’ ‘Back At One’) comes on ‘I Am
Music’. This new version brings on gospel singer, Kefee, and MTN
Project Fame West Africa season II winner, Mike Anyasodo, as well as
the Rooftop MCs. The track rides on a faster beat with the Rooftop duo
penning new rap lines and Anyasodo coming correct vocally.
Tha Suspect also gets into a love mode,
typical of many singers, on ‘If I was…’. The track features Waje and
brings back Muna. The sultry and soothing voice of Waje, combine with
great vocals from Damilola and Muna add flare to the track, but you
can’t help but notice Tha Suspect’s vocal absence from the track.
However, on ‘My Love’, with Young Milz, he vocally gave his own love
account.
The soulful ‘E Go Better’ features Nosa
and Foe Hong and ‘I Go Make Am’, inspired by Tha Suspect’s life story,
featuring Elhay. Both tracks hinge on a promise of hope for the
hopeless. The Timaya assisted ‘Na You Go Kpeme’ drags Tha Suspect into
Timaya’s clichéd theme of overcoming perceived enemies. ‘I No Send You’
has a male and female version. The male version has Wyclef Jean,
illBliss, Ghetto P, Mi-fliss, MI, Vector, Teeto, and DJ Tee while the
female version features Sasha, Muna, Eva, Mo’Cheddah, Blaise, Zee, and
DJ Mewsic. The two versions are a rap journey of sorts as it shows the
rhyming power of each rapper on the two versions and again Tha Suspect
only makes cameo appearances in each.
One thing you will love about ‘I Am
Music’ is that you do not only get to enjoy each track but also Tha
Suspect’s playful nature. ‘I am Music’ is one step in the right
direction for the producer cum performing artist and it’s a good debut.
Hopefully, he would build on the positives of this album.
