By Chiagoziem Onyekwena
Brilliant, though often misunderstood. Enigmatic and controversial in equal measure, one of Africa’s foremost 21st Century lyricists shares certain qualities with a revered artist of the 15th and 16thCentury.
Both men operate in their own world, choosing to share it every once in a while. In Leonardo Da Vinci’s case, it was usually in the form of a breathtaking work of art; a painting or a sculpture. In Mode Nine’s case however, it’s in the form of a gritty mixtape or critically-acclaimed underground album. In the end though, both men succeed in doing two things. The first is energizing the critics and appeasing their followers, simultaneously. Unfortunately, the second one is well; they succeed in confounding just about everybody else.
Pre and post his QuestionMark days, Mode adamantly shunned any overt attempts (and covert ones for that matter) at conforming to the mainstream. So, those rummaging through Da Vinci Mode searching for anything similar to Nigerian Girls will grow grey hair in parts of their bodies hair doesn’t even normally grow. This is pure Hip Hop to the umpteenth degree, or at least the ‘red-eyed one’ would love to have you think. Mode swiftly heralds his return on We at It Again. ‘Most of you all are flightless, the fly ones fly low… I’m the flight school instructor, air-traffic control.’ The aviation industry allusions really gather steam on the Wassbeat-produced So Fly. Mode compares his rap verses to F-16s, no less.
DVM is the Mode Nine album with the widest range, topically. Within the space of roughly 70 minutes, he shines light on football, love, his life, his disdain for today’s Hip Hop fashion and even about God! The lethal combo of grimy, bass-heavy productions and sparse choruses sprinkled with samples allows Mode the space to flex his lyrical muscles. Mode also shows off his much-improved storytelling skills on Okokomaiko and Remembrance, as he takes the listener on a trip down memory lane.
But that’s not to say that DVM is without a few dodgy moments. When two African elephants collided on the 2Face-featured We Dei Vex, the grass barely bristled; expectation and outcome couldn’t possibly be any farther apart. In a similar vein, with a line-up that boasts lyrical heavyweight Terry tha Rapman and firebrand femcee Blaise, Down disappoints – blowing hot and cold but ultimately coming off as lightweight. Then, as he did on his last album Paradigm Shift, Mode tries to draw attention to his new project with the gimmicky but unnecessary We Taking Comedy Money; while the witch-hunting outro, Death Blow Pt 2, is an April fool’s prank, I guess. But hey, at least now no one can ever accuse Mode Nine of lacking a sense of humour, right?
Ultimately, Da Vinci Mode isn’t the sort of album that was made for everybody, not all of Leonardo’s works are appreciated by the layman. The important thing though is that Mode Nine has found his niche, and he intends to feed them till they become lyrically obese. What’s that thing they say about one man’s meat being another’s… oh, never mind.
ALBUM RATING – 4/5
25 comments
I wasnt xpecting anything less 4rm mode9. For four yrs on a roll he has won best lyrics on d roll. I must say dat i like d way he plays with grammer in most of his rap. MODE U TOO MUCH…ONE LUV BRO
modey is the illest ever to lace his voice on d MIC….i think mode did well with deathblow pt2, none of dem rappers not need to get sliced afterall…..
Good analysis…btw, it's spelled WAZBEAT and not WASSBEAT
First i would like to say great piece,but i must say mode 9 deserves more, and it is quite a shame when people compare or put MI and mode 9 in the same category.
There is a clear line between an Emcee and a rapper, A poet and a lyricist, if you ask Mi which category he fits in he would probably call himself an entertainer, which he definitely is.
When mode 9 and the rest of the SWAT ROOT where recording mix tapes MI would never step into the danger zone,When Kidjo,TY from the U.K and lankun Dunblin.Aka "eldee extra large" of rhythm 93.7,gave naija one of the hottest collabo's ever MI and Jesse jags weren't listening so probably never heard of individual styles,or six foot plus meaningless rap song. Until Malcolm ix came out i doubt if MI would deny where he got the influence for crowd mentality.
The fact that hip hop as an art form is not appreciated in Naija ,but its culture and influence has helped to reach youths and sell products we should never forget its roots ,meaning and pioneers.
Rest in peace junior or junior and pretty..
P.s this is not beef just my lyrical opinion on the state of hip hop In naija as press people i expect you all to dig deep educate so people can know the truth.
MODENINE IS THE BEST RAPPER THAT WE'VE GOT IN NIGERIA HE IS JUST TOO MUCH.OKAY CHECK THIS OUT ''WITH NO BLINGS AROUND MY NECK I STILL SHINE IN THE DARKNESS'' OR THIS ''HOW CAN I BE MAD WHEN YOU'RE CALLING ME BABY. SEE THE GUY IS JUST TOO MUCH AND HE IS ALSO KINDA FUNNY JUST LISTEN TO HIS D.V.M ALBUM AND YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
mode 9 4 lyrics na u b baba jo
I see MODE9 as the FATHER of all RAPPERS.
NOTE OF WARNING:Pls nobody on earth should ever compare MODE9
with any rapper in nigeria.
Imagine ppl comparing MODE9 and MI.
WOT A BIG DANGRADING.
Men! I must confess, Mode 9 u are doing great. I luv one of track "Badman". But i've not listen to the whole new album of urs yet! Who knows,there could be more luvly songs? Good one bro.
Mode na d highest 4 naija and one of d best in d world.
U gat d lime and d tourch mode nine gat d lime ligt.
Mode na d highest 4 naija and one of d best in d world.
U gat d lime and d tourch mode nine gat d lime light.
mode 9 to me is the best of Nigeria rapper,i love his style and the lyric he drop,he is not only good in the job of rap or hip hop he also look hip hop,he is very different from every other rappers,and that add more to his name.good raper with tight rhymes.
mode 9 . What it is man ur lyric makes d industry turn man. U gat d punchline stock to ur lip like glue. Men u're d BEST
al mode9 fans jst no dat mode is d illes in 9ja check dis out,am not a star am a biger planet then jupita hangin wit d star and star is a green chick.
Mode is a mean mc on comedians they bunch of average rappers they dealing wiv some real bone snappers pardom me dats my favorite on davinchi mode enough said mode is out of dis world they give him out of space looks dat nigga is ill admit it or not mode king of rap
mode 9 is my man and coming to ride with him very soon coz we are men of the flesh and bone
TEGATHALYRICALWARLORD {TEGAFRANCIS@YAHOO.COM
MODE 9 IS THE MAN AND AM COMING TO RUB SHOULDER WITH HIM COZ MY LYRICS IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE STEET TO BEAR AND AM INTOXICTION LIKE BEER SO NO ONE DARE ME TEGATHALYRICALWARLORD 08139384798
Mode nine is nothing but a tight hip hop representer, Mode gives me the assurance that if Mc’s like Canibus, Ace hood, Dre, and even that little wayne should come to Nigeria 4a rap battle, i would vote modenine in to face them.
drop it lik dynamite
You are the best man that i ever see, ride on man i will always be your number one fans in 9ja nobody should compare you with anyone you are the most contributed rapper in 9geria i love my mentor keep on rocking
u too mush bros
da super lyricist…Mathematical sege..C, sum chics say ma cothes’ tu “baggy”, i dnt wear skinny pants nd i dnt drez “shabby”….lock d horns wit a single wiv lady “gaga” nd i cn make u babiz go gugu”gaga”
Mode no doubt is the King of African Hip hop! 9 is my favourite in the Universe!
there’s no teeth comparing mode 9 with the choc boiz as a whole i been addicted to his tracks(rock on and cry) like ajegunle with igbo(weed)eversince question mark he’s ma fave!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it’s soo funny funny and unfortunate to compare “talkers” to Mode9! He’s no1 in Africa!, We should be proud cos he’s a Nigerian! Unfortunately our media and FM stations (especially in Lagos) that are expected to know better are giving us less talented guys as best Rapper in Nigeria. Rick Ross was in Lagos last night, and a veteran and legend like Mode9 was not call to perform, it’s a big shame on d organisers! Lyrically Rick Ross is not better than Mode9, he’s not even close! But rather organisers invited azonto singers to the concert, so that Ricky will feel that Nigeria does not have a good rapper that can mount the stage with him! Even Nas respects Mode9. Our media should stop fooling us with weak stuffs from Choc Boys and d rest! JayZ, Kanye, Rick Ross..etc cannot feature any of these guys on their mixtapes or Abulms. We have better Rappers in Nigeria. Thenetng.com please start the movement on your platform, I believe others will follow. Nigerians are not fools! Thank you.
Mode, u’r a rare Gem…pls do nt mix up wif d rare Germs…U d man, keep pushing it hard 2 d core <>…1 lov.