Luke 12:48 – “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
The scripture above is what best describes the situation with BBNaija winner – Efe Ejegba.
The 2017 edition of the reality show had the entire country buzzing about Efe – a housemate who had won the heart(s) and sympathy of the larger populace with his ‘REALNESS’. From street rallies to social media campaigns, Nigerians showered the rapper with unrestrained love, thereby leading him to snag the 25 million naira grand prize and a brand new SUV. It was a delight to see the life of a struggling street boy take a bloomy turn.
The spotlight, however, didn’t shine only on his personality, it did also on his skill (or lack of it). During his time on the show, Efe made it known to everyone that he is a rapper and as his fame grew greatly in the house, outsiders began to get wind of his musical materials and made discoveries that his REALNESS couldn’t make up for.
Everyone’s favourite housemate was operating on a lyrical level that could barely pass for a secondary school rap contest. This was nonetheless a mere concern at the time as the major interest of his fans was to ensure that Efe emerged winner of the competition.
In time, the show ended and fans began to make demands.
His debut post-BBNaija single “Based On Logistics” was released to a mixed reaction; some deemed it too average while others came to his defense in the hopes that things will get better. Soon, a majority of his fans switched sides as his subsequent releases equally failed to hit the mark.
Albeit mediocre, Efe doesn’t operate on a musical level that is unfamiliar, as singles like “Somebody” and “Warri” could ordinarily pass for minor hits, considering the fact that worse records have become major hits in Nigeria. But with Efe, it is realistically a case of; to whom much is given, much more is expected.
These musical demands have been set by those who crowned him and the rapper who has so far failed to meet the expectations of his legion of followers is adopting a rebel technique as a coping mechanism.
His just released 7-track EP titled; Am Sorry, Am Winning sees him revolting against the ideology of what his fans or the larger populace think a proper record should sound like. According to the rapper, everyone lost the right to have a say in matters that concerns him and his musical journey when the show ended; “For all those saying they regret voting for me, I entertained you and your money expired the day the show ended”, He tweeted shortly before the release of the project.
The rapper still is a tad overwhelmed by the weight of his bank account and scattered all through the 21 minutes 43 seconds span of the tape are braggadocios assertions that reflects the chaotic battle between pride and humility that goes on in his head. “I been dey trek from Barriga but now leg dey struggle to wear common nicka. Everything just come dey easy from AC to AC, be feeling like Jigga. Money don make me dey fresh, over-confidence dey, I dey find who to borrow”, He rapped on the opening track “Yeba” featuring viral comic star – Lasisi Elenu (a feature was as basic as it was under-utilized).
He continued to revolt on; Greatness, Warri (ft Olamide) and the Oritse Femi assisted Baba Loke where he sarcastically wished success on his fans and hater’s alike. “See my guy there for Instagram, wey dey abuse me – baba abeg answer am. Hunger wan kill am God, answer am. 30MB for phone, answer am”. Oriste Femi in his usual fashion delivered an impeccable hook and chorus but same cannot be said of the rapper’s delivery.
On the Duktor Sett produced feel-good track titled ‘Away’, Efe tapped into the buzzing wobe (shaku-shaku) wave and provided a tune that holds the potential for a major street hit. This ironically is the only track that was free of the rapper’s lyrical venom as all he did was vibe to the melodious groove. This perhaps is an indicator that there’s a brighter future for the rapper in the pop environment as his lyrical strength has failed to wield any power.
An applaudable degree of sonic growth can also be traced throughout the EP and this stems from his decision to experiment with other producers – a contrast to his prior practice of sticking with his frequent collaborator; Duktor Sett.
Efe hasn’t lost.. but to say he is winning, projects him as a believer who operates on a laudable level of faith. Perhaps his measurement of victory isn’t based on his achievements as a musician. It’s probably all about the money!