REEKADO BANKS EMBRACES HIS POP FAME ON "SPOT LIGHT" ALBUM

Album – Spotlight Artiste – Reekado Banks Guests – Patoranking, Falz, DPrince, Vanessa Mdee, Kenny Blaq, Sarkodie Producers – Don Jazzy, Babyfresh, Altims Record Label – Mavin Reocrds (2016) Duration – 57 Minutes It’s difficult not to root for Reekado Banks, an unknown youngster who has one of Nigeria’s most buzzing local act, signed by Don Jazzy in 2014, and has since been on a quest to become a star in his own right. Since that year when he was a star on ‘Dorobucci’, and ‘Adaobi’, he has achieved a string of hit songs to his credit, and stands poised to become a new entrant into the Nigerian league of homegrown superstars. “Spotlight” is a masterpiece, a markedly amazing debut for the young man who has built a fan base amongst the young and tech savvy, backed by the powers of Don Jazzy, and the oiled PR machinery that Mavin Records possess and wield to effect. play A major contributing factor is Reekado Banks himself, who sounds raw and refined at the same time, but skilful and energised at every point on the album. This explains why the album has a multitude of good steps; ‘Hey stranger’ is Afro-Caribbean EDM goodness, as is ‘Killah Whyna’, ‘Move’ and ‘Baby Oku’ which are dancehall fusion tracks. These bring an exotic, yet pop-conscious feel to the project, Reekado plays to the strength of all the sound waves currently receiving the world’s attention. They make for compelling listens. ‘Problem’ is a smashing pop tune produced by Don Jazzy-signee Babyfresh, while the bouncy glide of ‘Biggy man’ positions Reekado Banks as a kind of all-round hit maker, as he fuses with Falz for what is the best track off the project. ‘Change’ and ‘Gbagbe’, are root Afrobeat derivatives that appeal to Fela-esque inclinations. Both are semi-conscious records that seeks to modernise the spirit, drums and horns of a national movement. Some will complain that some songs lose the energy and engagement – Banks offers impassioned storytelling on ‘Na ur boy’ and by fifteenth track ‘Ola’ he’s offering prayers using his middle name (Olaoluwa) as the catchword. But irrespective of sound, blessings has been dogging his footsteps since he got signed to Mavin Records and began to dream of being the music industry’s ‘Dangote’. And yes, people want to receive the prayers from the single named after Africa’s richest man. Inevitably, “Spotlight” has many moments that are simply Reekado Banks mixing his personal struggle and happiness with club hit songs. The lusty drag of ‘Turn the lights on’ nods to the odd unnecessary motivational speech, while the inclusion of hit songs ‘Katapot’, ‘Oluwa ni’ and ‘Standard’ has a brilliant and familiar ending that brings the album to a joyous and satisfactory close that could almost be felt from every other Reekado single. If any talent deserves to benefit from the business and affectionate nurturing of Don Jazzy, it’s surely Reekado Banks.