eLDee’s latest album ‘Undeniable‘ is a body of work constructed by a man who has no regrets, has come to terms with himself and cemented his legacy both in Nigeria’s rap history and pop scene.
The 11-track album is a plush, neatly arranged collection of songs that are somewhere between laid-back music and the frenetic pop hits that litter Nigerian radio.
As the curtain falls on his recording career, he retraces his steps on the album opener ‘Higher’ featuring Da Trybe proteges K9 and Sojay, borrowing from his 2005 hit ‘Campus queen’ featuring Sound Sultan and Faze. On the Sarz produced ‘Been There Done That’ eLDee reminds us of his credentials in the game, which differentiates him from the one-hit wonders. Early eLDee fans will be happy that he raps on this track. ‘I’ve been doing it, doing it, for better or worse/been over a decade, a gift and a curse/tours I’ve done it, home and away/my city I run it-no be today.’
‘Always’ is a song dedicated to his daughter, in which he promises to always have her back despite his heavy schedule. Banky W appears on ‘Rundown’- a song crafted for ladies to wind their waists to. eLDee’s robo-pop delivery combined with Sarz’s production skills are the main ingredients that make this track work.
‘Category’ is an Azonto-influenced cut that features an interpolated Fela Kuti hook. Sarz has to be the revelation of this album. Regulated to just producing hit tracks, the production wunderkind has proven that with proper guidance he can craft a proper LP.
EME’s cash cow Wizkid drops one of his patented killer hooks and verses for eLDee on ‘Never Let You Go.’ Wizzy’s touch on the song certifies this song as a sure-fire single.
eLDee also has something from the late great Fela Kuti. ‘Zombie’ is another Azonto-baked song with Etighi flavoring that borrows a bit of Fela’s 1977 hit track. eLDee’s version talks about road-side police officers hell bent on getting ‘something’ out of you, and corrupt senators with ego problems. Despite its light social commentary it doesn’t lose its urgency as a party track.
‘We Made It’ featuring Sojay is the end -literally. eLDee of Trybesmen resurfaces on this album closer and delivers a lyrical biopic. As eLDee spits ‘then it was Trybesmen-shake body/couldn’t really make money/but we made some hits though/brothers had a sick flow.’ Hip-Hop heads will have goose pimples reminiscing about Trybesmen’s music, which came into the mainstream in 1999. eLDee still has his razor sharp delivery, which was his calling card as a rapper.
If you are looking for a flaw on this album, it will be hard to find. eLDee has structured this album so neatly that not even one note feels out of place. It has been orchestrated to the last detail. Unfortunately eLDee cannot hide the failings of his voice. When he sings, his voice is too robotic- it can’t carry emotions. It delivers but does nothing more – it doesn’t transfer feelings to the listener.
eLDee is arguably one of the most influential figures in contemporary music. Many of the top artistes have borrowed his musical style to craft career-defining songs. A true legend knows when to quit the game, and eLDee is leaving the stage when his contribution, influence and legacy are undeniable.
My rating for this album is 3.0.. what's yours?
Nice look, always looking great.
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