By Chiagoziem Onyekwena
Besides establishing Mister Incredible as a major force in Nigerian music, MI’s near-classic debut Talk about It also served to introduce his lesser-known younger brother and production partner Jesse Jagz, and to a lesser extent Iceprince, to the rest of the country.
Ever since then, the debate over which of the Abaga brothers is a better artiste has waged on and while this review will do little to quell the debate, permit me to put my two kobos in all the same. M.I is the more lyrical of the two; his approach to music is substance-driven and his style is more-or-less ‘conventional’ hip-hop. On the other hand, Jesse Jagz is more versatile, his lyrics are light-hearted and his music more experimental. As a result, Jesse’s sound borders on the eclectic, wildly-creative, mostly upbeat yet still largely unpredictable. Little wonder his opus was titled Jag of All Tradez.
Earlier releases Sugar Cane Baby and a revamped Bend down Low made the album’s final cut. Sugar Cane Baby is a syrupy love tale backed by a dense layer of talking drums that eggs Jesse on as he rains adulation on the woman of his dreams; while Bend down Low’s sparse production and booming baseline will ensure the song is welcome in any club in the country on any given day or night. With that said, diversity is the true the name of Jagz’ game. Number 1 is a lush tropical island production that’ll make the dance floor sizzle in the slow shift of the night and with MI pouring sand in the face of his new foe Kelly Hansome on the pose’s hip-hop-styled anthem Nobody Test Me, ‘Only one Kelly that I know – Kelly Rowland’, the Choc boys just ensured a few more units of JoAT get sold.
JoAT is the type of album radio will eat up easily, case-in-point the album’s more successful club smashes Wetin Dei, Pussycat and Pump it up. Meticulously pieced together, they lend credence to the argument that Jesse Jagz is an outstanding producer. But that’s not to say it’s all MOET popping and Alize sipping in Jagz’ world, there is a deeper side to JoAT. Jesse allows his vulnerability show on the honest narrative Dis Jagged Life featuring Loopy Records’ songstress Lindsey. While over a soulful rendition that revs up midway, Jesse explains to the disbelievers why he should be considered the Greatest.
It’s difficult not to be impressed by JoAT, its sound spectrum is wide yet the album is cohesive at the same time. Unfortunately though, the intensity and quick tempo of Jagz’ music thrills for the moment but gets tiresome after several listens. In addition, Jesse’s playful rhymes get criminally puerile at times ‘Urinating on their heads so they are feeling my P’. Really?! Where they do that at?
Easily one of the most hotly-anticipated albums in recent years, most people north of the Niger will hail JoAT as the best thing since sliced bread. But that might be stretching the adulation a bit too far. JoAT is a very strong debut from a supremely talented individual, and this album should ensure Jesse Jagz’ futuristic sound becomes the rest of the country’s cup of tea, as well.
ALBUM RATING – 3.5/5
12 comments
nicely said man im a big fan but like u said the playful rhymes can get out of hand sometimes. still give it up 4 s choc boyz though. meanwhile keep doing what u do bro.
Jesse is d man…i hv been waitin 4 dis album 4 so long…hope 2 get ma own copy very soon.
Jesse messed up big time. This articleis just a hype. I know he is capable of soo much more but unfortunately, he was caught up in the band wagon of achieving commercial success. It cannot even come close to 'talk about it'. All 22 tracks in the album I patintly listened to twice and guess what, it was only M.I's 8 barson nobody test me that made me feel that my money wasnt wasted.
You don't have 2 compare mi and jagz bcoz mi is already an elder broda in d family also in d music. Al the same jagz did wel with his debut. Better ones ahead.
jesse should work hard and produce more dance track,thats the only way pple can listen to your track… i think he really did a good job.but he should have featured MI in most of his song to make it a hit track………….Good work to you jesse…………………………….we are expecting more from you
to b honest, 4 a hip hop album (which is what jesse's known 4) dis album sucked beyond the limits. but 4 a pop album, it was worth chiagozem's 3.5 out of 5. truth b told, i bot d album xpectin som serious hip hop sturvs and got seriously disappointed. his lyrics fell far from the mark he set on MI's Blaize in talk about it and his other cameo appearances. he was trynna b experimental & he failed wit som of d formulas and got som right. he tried
this a very nice album,keep it up jesse
hey come on jst like the album says it the jag of all tradez, its a nice album which has a wonderful combinationof hip hop, pop fusion, some little reggae, dance hall. for me jagz ws jst showing of his verstility in different music genres, the album was the bomb although it can't be compared to mr incredibles talk about it album. Nice one jesse I luv wat u do men.
hae peepz, jesse is doing a rily good job and morso i love his instrumentals and songs. thumbs up man!!!!!
omo….people no dey think at all??? una father fit do half of wetin the boy do?? why una go dey talk say the album na nonesence,i'd say na una no get sence.
your sound is too much.
Rap is one of the fast and raising thing in Nigeria
Entertainment industry…It came many years but
never gained much ground till the remedies brought it
out again and thanks to Edrees Abdul Kareem then
even though most of is lines are so weak and fake but
he was felt till Ruggedman came and put light into it
and the whole world could differentiate good rap to
bad one….Since RuggedyBaba came into the scene its
been a success and loads of good talent has a say and
they are all well listened to and get
appreciation…2shot,Eldee,MI,Freestyle,Mode9,OD,Ruff
RuggedandRaw,Lord of Ajasa,Dagrin(rip),Sauce Kid
and many more are list of artiste that are shaking the
scene….
To talk about the coming up generations like,
JesseJags,Iceprince,Caze,YUNG GINUT
This list of artist got skills no doubt but we still need to distinguish them this young brother repping city of Lagos Ikotun/Igando got game and he is really a scorer in the league with is kind of style and uniqueness i can tell you that his future is bright, He believes them jessejags and rest of artist belonging to his category are not good enough for the game due to the fact that their concept and style of rap is just like them copying some artist in the State…He claims that JesseJagz got no style but uses all style and that is good and at the same time not encouraging to coming artiste.." Jesse Jagz is really good only that i can't stand him most times he trys to sound like Kyne west of lilwyne..Anyway he cant be blamed cos MI doesn't starts like MI when he also started so i guess he follows the horse at the front"
Wow what a statement. This Rapper from PICKEDUP RECORDS is really ready to burn its up and he said he ain giving a shit about any rappers out there and if there is anyone not keeping it real he is ready to bring war on them….
More details on YUNG GINUT
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Born Babatunde Omoniyi – Ojo. Nigerian Born, hails from Ekiti State. Born and bred in the big heart of Lagos. Rapper, Song writer.
His brand new single ‘Kill It For Me’ which had the Nu Wizkid on the block on it (SIDEONE), has just been released and closely followed another hit single 'Orietipe' which featured Act like SKIN DA MUZIKILLA, ILL KLEEN, TOY TUNEZ.
Currently signed on to( PICKEDUP RECORDS )
You can listen to him on
http://www.reverbnation.com/yungginut