Album Review: NaetoC – Super C Season

Finally, the weather’s bout to change to the Super C Season. The highly anticipated sophomore album from NaetoC is on track to being one of the best albums of 2011. On listening, you hear growth in NaetoC’s lyrics which he laces on diverse instrumentals giving the album something for everyone. Other rappers could surely learn a thing or two.

For a rap album, it doesn’t get doper than the first track Super C Season. Lots of great wordplay and such lyrics like “I’m the elevator Otis never made“ to “I’m insane Amy Winehouse, you wanna drink I got a winehouse” and a host of others. You can only hope the album keeps up with the same tempo. The instrumentals, 25-second intro and adlibs from Omawumi on True (Dem No Fit Do Am) build up anticipation to this mellow track. Not the kind of collabo you would have expected, but it works and could easily be a listener’s favorite. The first single off the album Ako Mi Ti Poju features none other than the late DaGrin. I have to say he had some nice lines on his verse. Not a fan of the southern-rap-genre-type-of-music (think TI), but this track would definitely have its fans. Carry Your Shoulder is an up-tempo song that’s easily likable. The repetition of the words “carry your shoulder” however make you lose interest in the track as fast as you gained it.

Coasting on to Ride Tonite we hear a softer side to NaetoC and I like much. So Sick’s feature makes for one of the best songs on the album; one you can literally just blast while riding in the coupe. Unfortunately on first listen Skimpololo sounds like a song you’ve heard before, well at least the instrumental…thanks to Terry G’s beat recycling. However NaetoC with help from YQ both definitely put their spin on it and I foresee a new club anthem. Any thoughts on what “Skimpololo” actually means? Right when Duro dropped as the second single, it was lauded as one of the best collabos to come out of Nigeria in a while. Think of it as that one track that basically puts the whole album together. Feel good music and YQ on the hook – genius! First off, the lyrics “love is the greatest gift of all” although sincere on the chorus to Afruru’m Gi Nanya (I Luv U) sound off beat. NaetoC raps majorly in Igbo while Waje on the chorus tries to infuse this South African sounding instrumental. The final product is nothing special and Waje definitely should have been on a track that showed off her vocal range.

Duro [audio]

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At this point, I’m really digging the ‘emosh’ tracks from NaetoC and 5 and 6 doesn’t disappoint either. With lyrics like “I told them other girls I used to date don’t even holler, cause if my misses gets to know ill will be surely slaughtered” its another up-tempo track, with great verses, and the chorus nicely completes the song. Strategically placed at track 10, Ten over Ten needs no words. The third single off the album has been the biggest track so far – it even made #2 on our top ten tracks from 2010. Levels don change… enough said! Think of a smooth-soul-hip-hop track (if that even exists) and you have Déjà vu (Our Drinks). Definitely going back to one for the rap heads, this shows how versatile NaetoC’s sound has evolved over the years.

Share My Blessings would probably be the most played song on this album. Lyrics like “I don’t need a new cut to feel level headed, my experiences justify where I’m headed”. With Asa on the chorus this is one of the most personal tracks NaetoC had on this album, and the second verse goes as deep as it gets. Lovely collabo and another great production by Tee-Y mix. Keeping up the realness, the verses on Voodoo go hard with lyrics like “friends *bleep* you over… loved ones deny you… its when you’re doing bad you remember you own a Bible… best friends betray you cause they like you for the wrong reasons… but karma comes around to make sure that we’re all even”. Great production, great track as long as you ignore the first 35 seconds where NaetoC was trying to …not really sure what that was. C Me Finish is one for the haters who NaetoC claims wouldn’t see him finish. Smooth lyrics and a laid-back tempo, enjoyable track.

Share My Blessings [audio]

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On to the bonus songs, Ride With Me features Sway with dope verses from both artists, but the chorus isn’t one of the strongest on the album and could either make this a hit or miss for the listener. Ex-Girlfriend on the other hand is quite the track. I never would have imagined Dokta Frabz on the chorus but this works. The lyrics on this actually make sense mixed with a little humor from NaetoC. Talking on how his current chic shouldn’t treat him like his ex, I can say the creative juices were rightly on point with this track. Gidi is Mine grows on you, engulfing sort of a 90’s r&b type feel with rap. For the non hip-hop fan this could be easily be skipped, but a good track nonetheless.

This goes as a solid effort from NaetoC – a highly recommended listen while hitting the skip button only a couple of times. Great collabos + witty & quotable lyrics + a world-class production = recipe for Super C Season!

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