Does “Check On You” makes Davido ‘The Baddest’ and Cassper Nyovest ‘The Greatest’?
1994’s “Illmatic” is no doubt Nas’ best effort (classic) till date, but he actually became a G.O.A.T contender, after “Distant Relatives” (2010), a collaborative album with Damian Marley, son of Reggae Legend, Bob Marley, and a Legend himself. That was a defining moment for both hip-hop and Reggae, and the music at large, as the bests from two countries in North America (Nas; U.S., Damian Marley; Jamaica) linked up to make what eventually became a classic. One of the best collabo albums, ever. That, not Illmatic, was what made Nas the greatest!
Davido and Cassper Nyovest, are big names in Africa, right now. And you know what? Without Drake, God’s Plan is working for them.
In January, the “Tito Mboweni” rapper, Cassper Nyovest, came to pick up the Award for Best hip-hop act in Africa (SoundCity MVP Awards). That meant beating Olamide, Falz, M.I, AKA and Nasty C to it. He’s no doubt the hottest rapper in Africa as his songs have not only topped South Africa, but has also crossed the shores of SA, into other African countries (including Nigeria).
Davido, just like Cassper had a big 2017, scored many hits, took home numerous Awards and ended the year with a big show. That’s not Enough, so, two weeks ago, his songs “IF” and “Fall” were certified Platinum and Gold, in South Africa (Cassper’s country). So it just sounds right we’re getting a Cassper feat. Davido, at a time like this.
After the SoundCity Awards, Davido didn’t let Cassper go, until they had done something. The snippet of the song came Jan. 15. It was called “Baba” tho. Since Davido actually kept saying “this baba, that baba,” on the jam.
Weeks later, the jam is here, and we all can now put off that Teaser, and Enjoy the real thang! The question is, though, does this new song make both of ’em Baba’s in Africa.
It’s called “Check On You,” and it’s an Afrobeat/dancehall marshup, produced by Fresh VDM. It was said to have been recorded at Davido’s house, I can imagine, they were in a “party” mood.
The song works as a perfect reflection of what role Nigeria and South Africa play in African music, currently. “OBO baba, Cassper baba…Nigeria baba, South Africa baba,” Davido sings loosely on the intro (it was also chopped for a Vamp in the middle) and this is just to say, Afrobeats is led by Nigeria, while Africa’s hip-hop is on South Africa’s shoulder. It’s a cool symbolism, on a song, that has next to nothing to do with “Baba!” BUT, if the song was just called “African Baba,” it’d do, too. ‘Cos no doubt, Davido, is baba, and Cassper is, too.
“Don’t you Ever come at the right time// You didn’t say what I did wrong.. My lady slow down, I just wan check on you,” OBO sings on the hook! Obviously addressed to a female (their girlfriend?), the song talks a lot about both David’s and Cassper’s flashy lifestyle. So, when the girl was just about to start complaining “Don’t you ever come..,” Davido stopped her fast, “slow down, I just came to check on you!”
Cassper checked in at the Verse 1, dropping some hot bars. The beat was swapped into Trap, at the moment. “What do you want? ‘Rarri or Bentley?// I can show you a lot if you let me.” He rounds it up with some vernaculars, and House-esque vibe, before Davido slides in again.
The beat didn’t change on the Verse 2, but the vibe did. Although, for the most part of it, Cassper actually sounded like J. Cole, it still mirrored the SA/Naija vibe.
“You need to tell me what it look like// ‘Cos you ‘on even need to book flight// ‘Cos I’ma put you on a jet// And let me teach you how to flex”
No doubt, this song marks a bigger phase of both artists’ career, and it sure does mean Davido and Cassper Nyovest are the biggest things in African music.
This is just the beginning, they can show us more, if we let them!!!
Rating: 4.5 (Ón jó mi bí ti cigar)