Critical Breakdown:- Kash 11 – Kash Rules Everything Around Me [ K.R.E.A.M ] EP Review
Artiste(s):- Kash 11
Mixtape:- Kash Rules Everything Around Me EP [ K.R.E.A.M EP ]
Record Label:- Good Morning Entertainment
Distributed By:- Soundcloud/Online Media Platforms
Guest Appearances:– The Gospellers
Producers:- Kash 11 [ All Songs ]
Critical Breakdown
Kash 11 is no stranger to anybody who is a well versed student of contemporary urban hip-hop music in Nigeria, but to the green-horn he would appear to have popped out of nowhere, hence my decision to give a little back story on the man known as King Kukute before I proceed.
Kash 11 is hands down one of the first Rappers I ever heard to combine Yoruba rap styles with English language to produce the now popular genre of Alternative/Indigenous Yoruba rap. Having officially started rapping and producing in 2001, Kash went on to not only pioneer Yoruba Rap, but produce/have a hand in a number of songs and albums which have garnered critical acclaim over the years ( 2Shotz – Pirated Copy Album, Big Lo – Debut Album , Ruggedman – Untouchable album and more) , the last of which was Emi Na Ni which was performed by Ruggedman, and has one of the last guest verses the late Da Grin laid down before his untimely demise. Setting aside the producer toga, Kash 11 has also put out his own solo projects, starting with 3ple Tuaile, his debut album which dropped in 2007, featured acts such as 2 Shotz, 9ice, Lord Of Ajasa , W4 and sold 30,000 copies,his second project The Return of King Kukute which dropped in 2011, as well as The Undiluted Street Boy Mixtape which dropped in 2013. His projects have been warmly received among his teeming fanbase and have given him the required momentum to stay afloat, keep reinventing his sound, rediscovering himself and continuing to churn out memorable street music; In January, he announced a new Wu-Tang inspired EP titled Kash Rules Everything Around Me, and last month delivered a 9 track EP which is about to be dissected by yours truly.
The EP starts off with Orire [ Blessings ] , a sombre ballad which was performed over a smooth acoustic guitar sequence, and has Kash thanking God for all the progress which he has made thus far in his life and career whilst praying for many more successful years. Ololufe Mi is the next song on the project, this one is a more Afro-pop inclined love song which was executed with expert precision by Kash to create arguably one of his best singles in a while, I think the song should have a video and it has one of those catchy chorus’s is one that will stick in your head after a few listens. The sound of the album switches to a more agressive street vibe on the next song Oje, a Dancehall oriented and inspired song which had Kash trying out his Patois flow to quite a commendable result. The rugged vibe continues on the next song Ma Woju Uche, a track that had Kash returning to his Street-Rap roots, rapping feverishly with an attitude over the thumping menacing instrumental on this one, sort of like he was trying to prove a point, and he surely did, at least to me that he can still kick it on the Mic.
The next song He Lives Featuring The Gospellers is a decent Gospel track, but in my opinion should have been left out of this EP, as it did not fit in the sound and the vibe on the project nor the one which Kash is traditionally known for. Kash 11 revisits the Afro-Pop sound on the next song Juru, an uptempo, raucous and energetic song which will fit right into any party/club mix. The acoustic guitar makes another comeback on the next song Happy Day a feel good song which once more has him basking in his blessings, though I think the hook was a tad bit weak and generic, the song makes for good listening. Kash 11 once returns to street-rap on the next song Get Up, a track which I feel was inspired by American Rapper 50 Cents song of the same name. Again He raps with a high intensity on this one, taking no prisoners, and creating a song that people who appreciate street-rap will embrace.The last song on the project is a street mix of Ololufe Mi which was revamped with a more pop instrumental, incidentally this is the most streamed song on the tape thus far.
Kash 11 might not posess the lyrical capabilities of Reminisce, The mainstream appeal of Olamide and the youthful exuberance of Lil Kesh, but what he does uniquely posses as the only alternative ( Yoruba ) Rapper I know who produces his own beats has the ability to handcraft his own sound, master different styles of music and maintain a commendable level of longevity which not too many artistes can boast of. Apart from the fact that he produces all his music, he also approaches his promotion and distribution with independent guerilla tactics which has helped him remain visible, interesting, fresh and relevant to the conversation as far as contemporary alternative Rap music goes in Nigeria and though it is not his best,this EP is a pretty decent body of work as well as a testament to the fact that perseverance, hardwork and musical innovation are the keys to remaining productive and afloat in the music business.
Beats/Production:- 7/10
Lyrics:- 6.5/10
Flow:- 6/10
Composition/Arrangement:- 7/10
Best Verse:- Ma Woju Uche Verse 1
Standout Track:- Ololufe Mi
Mixtape Moment:- The musicianship he displayed by not only producing the whole project entirely, but also switching between Reggae, Street-Rap and Afro-Pop is quite commendable
Overall Rating:- 6.6/10 [ Recommended ]