ALBUM REVIEW : [@iceprincezamani] FIRE OF ZAMANI BY MACKSON OKOTIE [@MrLewinOkotie]
Monday, November 04, 2013Omoba
Album Review: Iceprince – Fire Of Zamani
The
long awaited Fire Of Zamani album by Choc City Biggest export, Iceprince Zamani
hit the stores finally amidst expectations from fans. This happens to be his
second album after the impressive Everybody Loves Iceprince (E.L.I). After
listening to this album, I took time out to listen and review song by song from
one to the last.
His lyrical prowess speaks volume of his passion,
sweat and efforts in a bid to deliver as promised. #FOZ is a follow-up to his
incredibly lauded debut – Everybody Loves Iceprince [E.L.I] The excitement
about this album is really crazy as there has been a lot of buzz about it on
Social Media. With great collaboration with artists like Wizkid, Sunny Neji,
Jeremiah Gyang, Burna Boy, Sound Sultan, Yung L, Wale, Morell and Chip. Credits
goes to Sammy Gyang and Chopstix the engines behind this piece of work. The
18-tracker album is nothing short of entertaining and inspiring you. Tho, the
album may have had a few short-comings, would you rate it above the previous
work by him?
Track
By Track Review.
Stars and Light Ft Ruby Gyang – For an
intro, it was a perfect pick. When I heard this I was very
impressed. The beautiful soul singer, Ruby as usual came clean with
her Charming voice. Ice went in with his normal flow... he failed to stick
to the storyline of it being an intro, at times it was like he was going off
point but then it wasn’t too bad for an intro.
Rating – 7/10.
Aboki – Obviously one of the biggest
tracks by Iceprince... here he sticks to his Hausa traditional flow. Obviously
can’t be called a rap song... naah except there’s a different meaning for
rap. The beat was Sick, delivery was on point, He came with his usual
lines. Obviously was a good jam. Credits to Chopstix for a nice beat too.
Rating – 9/10
My Life – With a very good beat like that from
Chopstix, Ice could have easily killed this one. He tried with his lines
adding some humor in between. More like a typical Iceprince song.
Generally it was an Ok track that gets you nodding all through cos
of the beat.
Rating 5.5/10
Mercy Ft Chip – Though, I’m not a fan of
Chip, I looked forward to this track. Ice was very average on his verse where
he brags about his girl with his traditional punch lines. Chip had
a very short verse but came clean….. Too much singing again
on a track like this that required both rappers to throw in their Rap
abilities. Generally, it was below expectation for a rap track.
Rating – 6.5/10
Whiskey Ft Sunny Nneji – The beat of this
track got me shivering, very good beat but again a very poor chorus did not
help. His story telling was impressive, as he tried to paint the live fast
die young picture. It was obvious the rhymes at the end of every line didn't work out. Typical sunny Nneji kinda beat, he found it lot easier to
find his way around the beat but we expected more for this kinda dope beat. I
mean something like he did with Baby on
E.L.I
Rating 6.5/10
N-World – The don himself, Don Jazzy supplied
a dope beat. Credits to him for bringing such level of creativity on a rap
track. Although it sounded like a rip of that Rick Ross and Lil
Wayne I’m not a star Beat. Iceprince did a good job on this
track, I was really impressed with his lines on this track. It
sounded more like a rapper was on the Mic. Could it be the Jazzy effect??
Lol.
Rating 8/10
Jumbo – This was just another
typical Iceprince track where he sounded like he did on VIP and Aboki. Obviously
can’t be called a rap track. Don’t know the genre to place it in sef. In my
opinion it was just there. The beat would definitely get you to move your
body but then we need more than that from you Ice.Very average track
Rating
5.5/10
No Die Tomorrow – He diverted here trying to
address 2015 and other issues, he talked about the struggles of citizen’s and took on
politicians who loot what belongs to the masses to live lavishly. Similar to somebody
lied on his previous album. Basically saying hardwork pays despite the
corruption amidst, standup and work hard was the obvious
message.
Rating
7/10
Gimme That – We shouldn't dwell on this
for obvious reasons. Released same time as Aboki. They are obviously the fans favorite from
this album.
Rating 9/10
Komotion Ft Wizkid – Was expecting a big
party jam as usual from Wiz but On this combination Wiz decides to
go calm on the chorus. Iceprince on his part did very well on his rap where
he went in on haters who would always criticize. A very good track generally and
an improvement on Olofofo from E.L.I.
Rating
7/10
Person Wey Sabi – Very Good song. If you
love local music you would def fall in love with the beat of this track
especially the local drum in the background that would get you nodding all
through the song. Excellent delivery on it where he brags about his personal
skills and wealth comparing him feeling like oil magnate Ayiri. Very good song
that showed his diversity as a rap artiste. Getting someone like Wizzboy
or Flavor would have given him a better
result.
Rating
7.5/10
Kpako Ft M.I & Jesse Jagz – As usual
he had to feature his Homeboys from Jos M.I and Jagz. Ice did a very
good job on his verse where he acknowledged inputs from his Mum. M.I as usual
went in with a new style, killed his verse, his delivery was a hundred. Jesse
jagz didn’t do badly either. He actually had the best verse to me. Versatility,
delivery and consistency as usual on his verses.
Rating
8/10
Pray Ft Sound Sultan – He hired the
expertise of Sound sultan where they both address those who keep and hating and
always want to see people go down. Average track for me the beat didn’t help
either.
Rating 5/10
More – Already previously released. Here,
he got the ladies with a very good love song that had a good video to
depict it. What more need I say here…
Rating
9/10
On My Knees Ft Jerimiah Gyang – Ice
prince comes with an interesting concept on this one. He and Jeremiah did
a nice job here remembering the people of Jos who over the years have
suffered Religious riots and lost loved ones. A very creative track that added
a bit of Jos instrumental spice to it. Shout out to Ice for
getting Jeremiah Gyang in the studio to add his magical Touch to this
track. It sounds like a classic
one.
Rating
8/10
In summary, I’d give the album a 7/10. He
tried to cover all genres of Nigerian music. Featuring the new school artistes
and the oldies too. A big credit to him for that. Overall, would you rate this
album F.O.Z over the previous one (E.L.I) or was E.L.I too big to be his first
album? Did you expect more from him? Have your say.
Written By: Mackson Okotie
[@MrLewinOkotie]
Twitter - @Mrlewinokotie
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/?q=#/MacksonOkotie
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Path - @Mrlewinokotie
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