On Week 82 of 'Who Get Ear' by Pulse Nigeria, Pulse featured two young artists by the names, Veen and Kiienka. The track, a psychedelic brand of alternative trap music that is rich on deep country guitars is titled, 'Demons.
As with Generation Zers across the world, it was an admission of the mental and emotional blocks that impede growth. But unlike Veen and Kiienka, they refuse to succumb to those 'demons.' Kiienka chooses to heed his mom's words to not let the demons win.
The track, which is off Veen's 2019 6-track EP, Eternal Flex is a gymnastic delivery of emotions that mirrors a tennis game - there is a back and forth between the good and bad. Fast forward January 2020, the two acts finally chose to endorse their obvious collaborative chemistry and mark it with a 5-track EP titled, Star.
Like with most Nigerian Generation Z trap kids - mostly based outside Lagos, they are experimenting with their artistry. While trap is a more commercial, more relatable and more easily enjoyable branch of Hip-Hop, it will seldom match the impact of afrobeats - afropop and afrodance. For that reason, Nigerian trap kids are finding their own brand of afrobeats/afropop.
This brand of afrobeats/afro-pop is usually built on easily identifiable beats for formation, arrangement and sound. These beats are built on jiggy percussion, jumpy and lively melodies and underlying, sped up trap essence. More importantly, these brand of afropop/afrobeats help these kids retain their Hip-Hop background while making music that could appeal to a more mainstream audience.
Star EP is filled with different versions of this sound. But my God, this EP is a good listen. When you discover that Veen produces and that Kiienka mixes, you won't be surprised by the sonic beauty which Star EP conveys. In a lot of ways, Star EP is the inevitable result of Veen's 2019 EP, Eternal Flex and Kiienka's 2017 EP, Untitled.
For a lot of reasons, anybody would realize that these kids are only just getting started. Their minds currently present the ideals of talented youthful minds currently finding their path. If they are still evolving and they have produced this level of quality, then the future is bright for these Port Harcourt-based artistes.
Star EP opens up to the lo-fi afrobeats love tune, 'Dey4U.' The track is a cascade of promises by two Port Harcourt boys to a faceless woman. This a warning; believe these two boys are your own peril. However, enjoy the music - it's premium. The bass guitar chords that forms part of the hook alongside the Indian-esque piano chords makes this writer go mental.
'Ginger' drops next with increased lewdness that borders on sex appeal - the real 'Port Harcourt' is starting to show. While the beat is now faster and they manage to retain their 'wash,' it all seems targeted at sex. 'Star' brings us into trap and boy, is it good. It feels like Travis $cott from his Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight era.
Topically, Veen uses his hook to read out his intentions for stardom as backed up by his mom's positive words. While Kiienka reminds one of 21 Savage, his delivery is slightly bland here. He also fails to align with the hook which is central to this entire song. 'Carolina' is a jam for days with its soul of mischief and a heart of dance.
The themes of love don't matter in the face of these melodies. From what I'm listening to, whoever produced 'Dey4U' produced 'Carolina' and that person has magic. 'Mami' closes out the EP with spiritual tunes from a beat that merges looped appregio bass riffs with organs and what seems like a flute or recorder.
Shout-out to Veen and Kiienka for this EP. Of course, its only weakness is the tendency for Veen and Kiienka to sometimes get too focused on the infectious vibes and neglect topical substance. Ergo, the songwriting could be better. That said, longer projects have to be released before one can truly analyse and comment.
Nonetheless, Star EP is top notch in its ability to convey what matters; enjoyment.
Ratings: /10
• 0-1.9: Flop
• 2.0-3.9: Near fall
• 4.0-5.9: Average
• 6.0-7.9: Victory
• 8.0-10: Champion
9.0/10 - Champion