‘IGNITE’ is a compelling highlight of Nissi’s growth as an artist [EP Review]
Whoever produced this EP should take a bow. Whoever envisioned it and supervised the creative direction and A&R has some good ears on them. This EP is a potpourri of sonic experiments delivered in Afro-pop format - that is difficult to achieve.
Once in a while, album titles become apt descriptions for an artist’s creative state. On Friday, July 31, 2020, Nissi Ogulu released her debut EP, ‘IGNITE.’ More than anything, if Nissi wasn’t making compelling music before, there was an ignition of something special on this seven-track EP. 'IGNITE' is an apt title for Nissi's creative state on this EP.
For a long time, it felt like Nissi was taking too long to find herself. Her music felt overly experimental on its way to finding a dance version to Afro-pop. Her - vocal - delivery was also rough around the edges. Sometimes, her words felt unnecessarily spread across beat counts. Other times, some sentences felt jumbled into one bar.
But on IGNITE, it’s become clear that she had something all along. Interestingly, the emphasis with which she delivers the sensual pronunciation of words in her lyrics reminds one of Yemi Alade and Angelique Kidjo. With the right branding, she could embody Africanism like those two women without being a copycat. She is crisp, confident, assured and intentional.
The journey of the past five years has led Nissi here and it’s good to see. To be honest, this writer didn’t expect IGNITE to be this good. More than anything, IGNITE is a win on which Nissi finally finds a haven to appropriately showcase her sound.
By fusing Afro-pop percussion with elements of Reggae-fusion, Dancehall-fusion, Dance-pop, Afro-swing, Afrobeat, Mambo, EDM and Salsa, Nissi carves a unique sound for herself. Also commendably, she effortlessly switches between English, Yoruba, Pidgin and even Igbo.
More importantly, she speaks the attractive gibberish of Nigerian lamba. The EP starts off with an embodiment of the many positives we’ve highlighted. The title-track has no recognizable theme, but Nissi uses it as a call-to-action that fuses her confidence with an appeal to people.
The beat to, ‘IGNITE’ is an absolute beauty, by the way. With attractive Mambo trumpets in its hook, ‘TROUBLE’ once again has no central theme. On one part, Nissi discusses the topics of love and highlights her own talent. On the other part, she simply flows, “Trouble…” on the song that was initially released in December 2019.
But then, she generates just about enough electricity by matching the energy this beat exudes and delivers a vibe that feels suited to the colorful lights of a dance bar in central Cuba. All the while, the African appeal to ‘TROUBLE’ is commendably retained. ‘NOTICE’ is more empirical in its fusion of dive bar Hi-life, Salsa, Afrobeat and contemporary Afro-pop.
Nissi tells a story of growth that started from a place of struggle. Nonetheless, this writer can’t escape the feeling that this song could have done with a similar drum arrangement/percussion to Timaya’s ‘I Don Blow' around its hook and especially between 1:31 to 1:51.
‘TORNADO’ is sonically interesting, but it lacks musical appeal. Therefore, it is forgettable. ‘JUDI’ brings us into a fast-paced Afro-house rhythm that stirs dance. Nissi hilariously starts off by singing, “When the lamba enter your waist... “ For what that hook speaks, this might be the best song on this EP. Oh, this hook is so good. Those guitars and vocal interpolations are amazing.
More than anything, ‘JUDI’ screams out for a Mi Casa feature. ‘HOLIDAY’ starts off like a DJ Mustard ratchet beat before descending into a pseudo-Caribbean vibe and then EDM-fusion. Nissi, take a bow for selecting and going on this beat. However, your flow could have been more expansive.
With the right feature - like Jess Glyne, Louane or Stylo G, this song could really do something in the UK, France and the Caribbean. With an interpolation of Angelique Kidjo’s, ‘Babalawo,’ Nissi rounds out IGNITE EP to another brilliant piece of production on a track of the same title.
Final Thoughts
Whoever produced this EP should take a bow. Whoever envisioned it and supervised the creative direction and A&R has some good ears on them. This EP is a potpourri of sonic experiments delivered in Afro-pop format - that is difficult to achieve.
But going forward, Nissi should work on delivering more purposeful songwriting that says something. Over the course of IGNITE EP, she generates compelling vibes, but says nothing. Nissi should be wary of becoming another artist with great branding and sound, but terrible songwriting.
With better songwriting, Yemi Alade would be held in greater esteem than she currently is. Nissi should learn from that. This Ogulu has set a template with IGNITE EP, all she has to do is keep improving. Equally, she should expand on her ability to find pockets in beats - sometimes, her flows seem repetitive.
In case you didn't know, Nissi is Burna Boy's sister.
Ratings: /10
• 0-1.9: Flop
• 2.0-3.9: Near fall
• 4.0-5.9: Average
• 6.0-7.9: Victory
• 8.0-10: Champion
Pulse Rating: /10
Tracklist: 1.5/2
Content and Delivery: 1.0/2
Production: 1.8/2
Enjoyability and Satisfaction: 1.5/2
Execution: 1.4/2
Total:
7.2 - Victory
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