Fast-rising Nigerian Afrosounds talent SAMAD pairs up with Dangbana Republik head Bella Shmurda on “Lagos,” produced by ShallytheChampion—and the city that inspired the title runs through every bar.
Lagos needs no introduction as a subject. The city is a mythology in itself—infinite, inventive, anarchic and unique. SAMAD gets the city and constructs “Lagos” around the spirit of a place that never sleeps rather than trying to depict it in facile tourism terms. So the record feels like Lagos, not just a song about it. That’s the characteristic that makes city anthems worth hearing beyond their home market.
On the collaboration, Bella Shmurda adds his street-pop Ikorodu-bred essence without taking the spotlight away from the lead artist. His vocal timbre and street-wise delivery lend just the necessary touch of realism to a record about Nigeria’s most storied city. Because nobody captures the street energy of Lagos quite like someone who grew up in it. And Bella Shmurda doesn’t embody that identity.
ShallytheChampion keeps the tone contagious and accessible throughout the production. “Lagos” has a forward drive with pulsing percussion, melodic parts and deep bass that don’t crowd either performance.
Discussion