Ladipoe solidifies his smash year and shows dynamic possibilities on his EP ‘Providence’
Without a doubt, Ladipoe is in a groove and it’s what makes the possibilities of his newly released EP, ‘Providence’, enticing.
Nothing about the rise of Ladipoe into a dominant rap star was rushed. Over a decade ago, the Nigerian rap artist born Ladipo Eso emerged as a frontrunner in potential rap messiah debates.
It’s understandable, his introduction via Show Dem Camp’s “Victoria Island of Broken Dreams” is still one of the most entrancing rap verses committed to wax by a Nigerian lyricist.
What followed was a far more elongated route filled with more great feature verses, sporadic solo drops, including his long-awaited 2018 debut album, and, in the present, a handful of huge singles helping to fully realize those potentials.
The path Ladipoe walked not only tested the patience of the day one fan but also tested the wits and resilience of the man himself.
Even when things were not going great, he seemingly took them in stride, using that time as a crucible to intentionally forge the sort of revered, dynamic rap artist he currently is: One that can effortlessly bar it up on one song, and remain engaging while curating charming smash hits.
It’s his first proper project in over three years and, for a rap artist working on a much higher artistic plane these days, my expectations are up and stuck.
This is an exquisite opening, very jazzy. I know some bars are about to be slung! Let’s go! Okay, the scheme on that second line has my senses all heightened.
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“The secret to longevity is, always you write the narrative.” Lifelines! Fuck, I’m not listening on Tidal.
I need to know who produced this, such a premier the ‘90s bounce. That’s a double entendre, go figure.
Sometimes, Ladipoe raps like he’s delivering the most interesting Ted Talk ever.
“The signature is just an autograph that says pay me first.” Boy! Fam! So.
Many. Quotables. I don’t like that trap line, but this entire song is way too good for me to be nit-picking.
This is how you start an album, man. This should be an album!
Ozedikus tag, my man never misses. BTW, the OG version of “Moslado” is a classic, could care less for what they did to the song for its video.
This is an Afro-Dancehall knock, heads will bob. Rema! Feels like it’s been a long while we heard from him.
Man, I remember when we were making distinctions between Afropop Rema and Trap Rema.
Good times. Ladipoe’s delivery is Teflon, he’s skating with ease on this one. Can’t hear any line to make my ears stand, but this is just a feel-good song
I 1000% believe women are throwing themselves at Rema, I’ve seen the difference in his physical frame from “Dumebi” to “Soundgasm” up close.
London worked on this as well? Yeah, this is a cheat code record. Poe has mastered how to construct pop-rap songs, this is just another flex to prove that. Will revisit.
Ratings:
Production quality
Tracklisting
Songwriting
Intro
Outro
70%
70%
80%
80%
70%
Mid = 0.00
Average = 0.01
Good = 2.5
Excellent = 2.5
Conclusion:
Mp3bullet gives the EP 80% (Good) general rating