Imade iN Truth

When I watched Les Nubians’ latest video, “Museba BOM BOM BOM”, I experienced a stunning revelation: I need more African pop music with the right mix of classy and rachet.  I was able to find another in the Nigerian dancehall hit, “Gud Gal” by Sound Sultan.  Thanks to notjustOk, I found the perfect trifecta.  There’s a deep voiced brotha with a catchy hook (“Gud gal…you be gud gal o….why you wanna getta bad mahn like me?), whine-able music produced by Jay Sleek, and a leading lady who holds it down for African queens everywhere (and is my inspiration for when I cut my locs off).  

Visually, director Janelle Abraham sprinkled in unique elements with the video’s Brooklyn backdrop and motorcycle crew. But ultimately, “Gud Gal” has the paint by numbers club scene that makes the video not stray too far from the beaten path.  

After releasing a less polished version in August, I’m glad that Sound Sultan & Co put in the extra work to make “Gud Gal” reach its full potential.  I may not agree with the entire song concept (I’m not about that ‘bad mahn’ life), but I absolutely love a sleek video that celebrates African beauty.  Twitter  Facebook                   

Ibiyemi sings with the force of a thousand Negro spirituals. Her true musical home is sweeping ballads that make you want to watch Lifetime movies in the dark.  But inside of many singers is an itching desire to be a pop star.  Ibiyemi steps outside of heartbreaking songs like “Don’t Leave Me” off her Love Always Wins album with the mainstream friendly “True Colour”.  Assisted by the ubiquitous Sound Sultan, “True Colour” has a catchy trickling rhythm and buzzing synths readied for radio Top 40.  But the beauty is in both the production and the message.  Ibiyemi doesn’t forsake the compelling lyrics that drew her devoted fans.  Sound Sultan and Ibiyemi wants society to show their true colors, and abandon relationships based on deceit.  Yes, Ibiyemi has gone “pop”, but she still embraces who she is.  Facebook  Twitter