Since I was born (ain’t old yet), one thing, apart from God, that hasn’t changed is the formula which states that “once you get small change for pocket, you’re winning.” Theorem 25! Whatever comes after that is garbage. If you say a rich man did something bad, it’s possible you’re envy-ing the man. Criticize a superstar’s job, you’re a stupid journalist that just wants some attention. BUT, even all of these are subject to constructional change, as time goes on. Except for the fact that…
In March 2018, Efe’s not winning. Not yet. No, this is not how you win!
Efe is a star, who went against all odds to become a household name all over Nigeria after “winning” the 2nd Edition of Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show (which I didn’t watch, anyway.) He was said to have been real, and authentic, and that was the reason he won. His realness must have impressed the millions of people who voted him. The rest remains hisstory.
After winning, he ventured into music, with co-signs from a lot of industry Dons (pun intended) and yeah, he’s sorry, he’s winning. But, this new EP, doesn’t show any proof of winning. Not at all.
The “Am Sorry Am Winning” EP by Efe is what is called “Èfè” in my dialect (yoruba), which translates to joke. This is a joke to music, a joke to the art, the craft. The title is a joke. Once I saw the Awilo Logomba-ish beard on the artwork, I knew this was gonn’ be a joke. A joke by Efe. But, unfortunately, nigg thinks he’s winning. He’s not.
Somehow, the Tracklist shows a promising project that can birth hits, but those vain promises are just reflection of how “fake” Efe is. Nothing about the EP really shows a “star at work,” except the fact that at every time he gets, he’s always tryin’ to silence critics. Maybe it’s time he asked “Why do I have so much haters? Much more than Olamide’s?” Efe is not that humble and real BBNaija break-out anymore, he is Efe Money, he has money now. And, that shit is pumping into his head. Of course, having Olamide, DJ Neptune and Oritse Femi, on a project can mean you’re winning, but last time I checked, only Khaled wins with that shit. You need to prove to us you really have something to offer.
“Warri” featuring Olamide, TBH, shows crumbs of artistic growth (regardless of how many times he mentioned Warri), but this is still not a way to show you’re a good rapper, or prove you’re better than what people think. Apart from the Olamide-assisted one, the only song worthy of buzz is “Baba Loke,” which had superstar, Oritse Femi. Oritse Femi did his best, and left the rest – Efe couldn’t do the rest. (God had to come in.) On “Onome,” once again, he puts his credibility to test. Ladies, he failed! The host of other songs show lack of “real” artistic growth, but adequately demonstrates how fast your ego grows when the Ego (money) comes. “Yeba” would teach any dope artist who follows that path, a big lesson. It makes me give up on Trap music. The guest features add up to nothing. Nothing, in particular.
The truth is, not everybody will get the the opportunity Efe has. Not everybody will have money to package their whack-ness. BUT, everybody has the key to the room for improvement. And, if Efe continues to arrogantly push wack materials in our face, and then turn deafs hear to our yearnings for something better, well, your guess is as good as ours.
Efe might be sorry, now (not really), but he’s definitely not winning (yet.) We’re sorry!
Rating: 1/5 (Nigg fall my Leg)