By Ayomide Tayo
In the Oyo Empire of old, Bashorun Gaa was the most notorious Prime Minister ever known. Basorun Gaa who was Prime Minister from 1754-1774, dethroned and executed four consecutive Alaafins. The fifth Alaafin succeeded to defeat him after a long and costly battle.
In the contemporary Nigerian music industry, the artiste known as 9ice rose to fame and power in 2008 with his seminal second album. With the album’s huge success 9ice (temporarily) dethroned the reigning kings of the music industry, 2face Idibia, Psquare and D’banj which was especially evident by his winning the MTV MAMA ‘Best hiphop act’ in 2008 and the ‘Artiste of the Year’ at the 2009 Hip Hop World Awards. Three years later, 9ice isn’t the same artiste. His personal issues and poorly received third album ‘Tradition’ saw him fall from his pole position.
While the first Basorun Gaa was burnt to death to make sure he didn’t come back from the dead, 9ice has gone through the fire only to rise like the mythical Phoenix, better and stronger. His fourth album is a melodic renaissance of an artiste who knows how to combine traditional Yoruba music with contemporary pop music. 9ice is back in form on this LP. The set is heavy on groove and nod factor with many producers (TY Mix, Spellz, Pastor Child, Puffy T, Sossick and Cheepho) plotting 9ice’s return.
‘I’m not insane. It’s in your brain. I’m still the same’ croons 9ice on the album’s opener ‘Pace Setter’ which features Vector who happens to be the lone guest on this album. Produced by TY-Mix, ‘Pace Setter’ with a beat that feels like the theme song for a B-list Hollywood action movie- (that’s not a diss, really it’s not) lets you know that the Alapomeji boss is still in business. ‘Every day’ is a song you can move to even if you don’t understand the deep Yoruba lingo 9ice drops.
‘Mu Number’ is nothing but a hit waiting to explode. While the BPM on this song might be a little bit slow for clubs it will fit perfectly in a DJ’s playlist for ‘Owambe’ and house parties in densely populated areas which is more of 9ice’s preferred target audience.
The Spellz-produced track might however have what it takes to go mainstream; the drums on the song will have you moving.
9ice has been through a lot these past two years. His feud with rapper and former friend Ruggedman, his public separation with his wife Toni Payne and disappointing third album nearly wiped him out from the game. ‘I am 3310 (3ce), O jabo ko fo’ sings 9ice on the hook of ‘3310’ (produced by TY Mix) which is the name of the popular Nokia phone known for its resilience. On ‘Simple Strategy’ he channels the spirits of past legends Ayinde Barrister (Fuji Garbage) and Fela Kuti (Open and Close) which will have you shuffling your feet.
TY Mix (Naeto C’s longtime producer) features heavily on this LP. He is responsible for producing ‘Shakashiki’ which contains some of the star dust on 9ice’s classic hit Gongo Aso. For 3 minutes and 56 seconds you will get to hear the 9ice of 2007 to 2008. On this track he proves he has what it takes to be the 9ice that took the industry by storm once again.
On ‘I Rule’, with his signature tune (mi le! ti-ti! ti-ti!) the Basorun in 9ice comes out. With hard knocks from Pastor Child he imposes himself like a warlord and boldly tells you that he is a demi-god and there is nothing anybody can do to change that. Sossick who has worked with another ground breaking Yoruba artiste (Dagrin) is the genius behind ‘Enife’, a track where 9ice tells those waiting for his downfall that ‘if you dey wait for my downfall, you go wait dere, you go die dere.’ Cocky much but what do you expect from a Basorun?
Basorun Gaa is not a total conquest though. It’s too long and ambitious with 18 tracks. Some songs should have been left on the cutting floor in the studio instead of just making the numbers. Also the album lacks the potential to produce smash hits on the level of Street Credibility, Photocopy and Party Rider. The new songs on Basorun Gaa are however strong and cohesive. While 9ice might not be back on the throne yet he is knocking hard on the palace doors with his new album.
Rating – 3.5/5
53 comments
I dnt agree wholly. The album should score @ least a 4. And it has potentials to produce smashing hits
To me 9ice is among d top 5 naija musicians,this guy is real and doesn’t sing commercial music,his songs are lyrically filled and meaningful.If u dnt have a gud sense of humor u won’t knw d meaning of sum of d songs and he is 100 percent african,u dnt see white girls in his video.I heard his album sold i million within 2 days not bad for a cum back.
I think adigun is 1 of naijas finest d album is really 9ICE
Point of correction,the tradition album wasn’t a disappointment at all it was just rocked scandal and I will give 9ice 4/5 for dis album
Are u kiddin me d album was trash..9ice has lost it,I was so depressed when I heard d album..I think he spent too much time on d sidelines!and dat TRADITION album was fantastic!he raised d bar too much for himself!
Na una get yaaa mouth , make una dey beef make d young guy dey make man
u could dare call the album a trash? ok just name any of naija hiphop stars that has so much hits as much as this guy does, may be u r deaf or ur hear could not figure out the good lyrics in music. go if he is singing trash cos am even ready to buy 9ice music trash over and over again
9ice has nothin 2 offer the music industry again, the young guys are takin over
U must be rugged man if not then u are insane
comments r too harsh, give the buy a break please. we yoruba’s appreciate him, he represents us very well abeg. at least he his not trying to be lik others dat overdo themselves with meaningless lyrics.pls respect our culture and let 9ice be.He is not 100% but at least he tells stories with his songs (u av to understand yoruba).
Please let him be, 9ice
is back like a storm that wind before christ, he’s unstopable let him go ahead.
A 9ice try,but for a reincarnated Bashorun gaa,his choices and priorities on certain aspects of d album were either ill-informed or misplaced.Meanwhile,my hair stood on end wen I read ur AR of Psquare’s Invasion.The twins hav proved U wrong wit impressive album sales,huge airplay,crowded performance scheds and more dollars.please be fair and SQUARE.
9ice,my one big mentor!
I’m so disppointed in d author of this article.u’re among of those corrupting 9ja youths by encouraging us to listen meaningless songs.9ice has been a musician who makes sure his musics touches all affairs not sum1 who sings about money and ladies alone.thumb up 4 bashorun gaa.
D truth must b says.D 100% then giv d album is nt worth it, but is still try shaa.
Watever u say it doesn’t count any longer! Coz 9ice is not dat noisy musician & most of d songs on dis album is not for kids wu can’t think deeply. He sings 4 mature pple wu are ready 2 go deep 2 knw d meanings. His Albums (Versus&BashorunGaa) sold 1 Million copies within 24 hrs & more dan 2 million copies in 4 days, I think there is nothing dat will make a musician like 9ice be happier dan dis coz after all d problems he went tru, pple still came out 2 show him love! Point of correction Tradition also made good sale but troubles dat surrounded him last year covers d sucess of d album! God Bless Alapomeji Miletity!
Honestly 9ice really tried on dis album,track 17(don’t go) is a song i can’t stop 2 marvel at it’s beauty…take it or leave it he is d bashorun of indigenous music cos adigun juwonlo when it come 2 singing in mother tongue
I juz luv 9ice…d guy dey sing o
To me 9ice is one of best nigerian singers. Bashorun GAA is very good , I hardly skip a track wen listening to d album. The songs is actually for d mature minds, not for d kids & if u understand music ,u’ll knw d guy is d best. My third fourth best track is eniafe ,dis track is too much !. The author article is not relevant.
d guy dat rate dis album should b in sane…wetin d guy do u.!dat album is on point..dat track 17 is ever green
GuyzGirls, this site is own by Toni Payne. So what did you expect? Better be sincere in heart. UP up up 9ice!
I fink u sud do ur findings b4 writing rubbish.Am hating this site right now.
Tradition album wasn’t ‘poorly received’,dat album was sold out.Pls where did hits like Gbamu gbamu,No be mistake,etc comes from?
Bashorun Gaa and Versus albums sold 1,000,000 copies in jst 2days,how many nigerian artists can beat dat?D facts are there,no need for confrontation.
Cos u have an access to post sumfin here,don’t mean u sud post rubbish.Check all d comments here,nobody seems to stand wif u,which implies ur album review is also poorly received.
9ice is part of my life.i always listening 2his museke since from his museke 2date.keep it up dude
I bet ya,dis museke basorun gaa cum versus will break da world record in nigeria museke industry.no track of jst releasd album can be skip or jump 4rm 1 another.jst 2 9ice dude
Enife won se ju akan,ape leti omi.oti goke ina.thumb up man
Wu fit bet am 9ice is d best composer in 9ja music industry
Honestly 9ice has everything in terms of naija hiphop world, i av found my most interested love for music in him. He rules
only u still make me continue listen 2 naija music. THUMBS UP
You are a dream killer but you can not kill his ( 9ice) dream.4M copies sold in 10 days what a success and what ashame to you and your review and rating.9ice is the king he rules.
I hv listen 2 d album over n over again as an artiste dis album is tight n good 4 listenin pleasure no one does it better than 9ice. My preferred tracks is i rule, adigun juwonlo n display. Watch out 4 my single titled no bi me.
love u 9ice,adigun ojuwonlo sa ma wo won ran,egbe popsie won lon se.u are 2 much 9ice, i dey feel ur song
lets be realistic, 9ice is d don of all hiphop artiste from yoruba land, for him to sing hiphop in a confirm mother tongue. Aluta continua won bi iya eyan.
Adigun o juwon lo as U̶̲̥̅̊ d̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ use Attitude τ̅☺ Display U̶̲̥̅̊я̲̅ Takoto stunt wif Simple Strategy U̶̲̥̅̊ proof urself τ̅☺ be 3310 Everyday. We are Ready Adigun Don’t go bcos we d̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ S̶̲̥̅Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ Fun Won. Kip it up dude U̶̲̥̅̊ are the best.
Forget bad belle joor….Bashorun Gaaa…Carry go….Mu number…LOL
Oooh…….. Am pleased nd happy with this alubm(Bashorun gaa), i love all the 18 track, they ar all beautiful nd incredible, 9ice thanks so much, i promise myself one thing, 9ice will be my musician on my weddin day, i love the guy, too brave nd his the best among his kind….. Keep it up Adigun, it is well wit u…..
I once called you a proverbial lyricist and you claimed it. What else can i call you now? Mr perfect
9ice, u rily juwon lo. RÁÁTATA.
9ice is a gud singer and his albums are so lovely. U people should let him be.
to me 9ice is an icon and the best in africa.
This album is xplosive.
3ripleA is an icon, unstopable goooooooooooooo in da industry.
Ur statement is lyk a humanbeing declaring 2maro resuration day(which is totaly nonsense)9ice is a great singer who cherish is culture nd 2 me is d best among them.adigun oju won loo jo
9ice songs are d best his songs i agreed are 4 mature minds not 4 kids who listen 2 wizkid and d likes 9ice baba u too much
Who is like unto thee *BASHORUN GAA*!!!
9ice,u ar d best of all,my mentor. U be baba gbogbo won.I dey feel ur swagg lik ur swagg.Tuale,iba baba.BashoshoshorugAaaaaaaaaaaa
As 4 me 9ice is still the best out of yoruba hip hop singer. Abolore still d best
The albums are ever green. 9ice keep on rocking,OJUWONLO.
9ice has come to entertaining world to stay. He has really pon omi n le di ongbe.
This is an album’s review not the artists’
adigun u b d father. mawo wan ran, ojuwan lo
9ice is too much for me,4 me oo 9ice too much, i really gbadun d basorun gaa album it’s fantastic, so 9ice keep it up.mile,ti ti.
1 LOVE 9ICE
Qui plus est, la parpaing sont reçus contre lépreux meilleurs
cyberjoueurs où parfois des trio originaires clans man carrousel revue.