Comedian Basketmouth has linked up with fast rising afropop sensation Oxlade and rap aficionados Show Dem Camp for the release of the jam titled “Myself”. It is a track off Basketmouth’s ‘Papa Benji’ soundtrack album. The song advocates for doing one’s best, taking care of what one can handle, and leaving the rest for providence.
Producer Ducktor Sett delivered sultry melodies and dance-worthy percussion with the production, and Oxlade laid the vocals to complete the equation. “I go do the one I sabi o/I go do the one wey dey work for me”, Oxlade sings on the hook with fluffy and fluttering vocals.
Show Dem Camp come through distinct yet cohesive verses that reinforce the message of living life with diligence and optimism. “Made it with my gang so they couldn’t understand o/Aim for the stars no telling when you land o”. The message rings loud and true.
Basketmouth’s foray into music is a surprising yet welcome development. Born Bright Okpocha on the 14th of September 1978 in Lagos, the comic’s decision to oversee the soundtrack album for his comedy series “Papa Benji” is perhaps an attempt to explore his previously unheralded musical side. “Myself” is just a tasty slice of the soundtrack album.
Oxlade repays Basketmouth’s faith in him on “Myself” by delivering a compelling, vocally-rich verse and a catchy hook. “But I no know why o/If I do this dem go say that o/If I say that them go do dis o/Anything I do dem dey police o”, the 27-year-old sings, condemning the public’s culture of scrutinizing the lives of celebrities and public figures.
Born Ikuforiji Abdulrahman Olaitan, Oxlade’s rise to fame (with the help of his hit single ” Away” in 2020 put him in the full glare of the public eye with all the criticism that comes with it. Perhaps, his lyrics on “Myself” are expressions of his reality.
Show Dem Camp also stood up to the task with their witty yet insightful rap verses. Made up of Tec (Wale Davies) and Ghost (Olumide Ayeni), the members of SDC were born in Nigeria, but have lived different cities in Europe and the US before returning to Lagos to pursue a career in music.
After the underground success of ‘Clone Wars volume 1 and 2’, the duo released their debut studio album The Dreamer Project in 2011. Since then, they’ve collaborated with artistes like Poe and Boj. The were definitely the cherry on top of this delicious cake that was Basketmouth’s “Myself”.
Ultimately, magic was made on this melodious feast of a song orchestrated by one of Nigeria’s finest comedic minds.
First published in Africa Music