MUSIC
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F
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REVIEW
Once Upon A Time
Artiste – a Savage
Tiw
Album – Once Upon A
Time
Features – Don Jazzy, Ice
berg Slim, Sarkodie,
Flavour & General Pype
Producers – Don Jazzy, De
l B, Gospel on de beat,
Raydar Ellis, Sauce Wilso
n, Spellz Magik Boi,
Warren “Oak” Felder &
Harmony Samuels
Running Time – 01:18:41
Label – Maven Records,
323Entertainment
Year – 2013
A
By Olumide Oguntimehin
fter a long awaited duration, Tiwatope Savage,
a multi-talented Grammy award nominee, who
became the soulful diva on the African scene in
2010, finally dropped her debut album Titled “Once
Upon A time”. In this album, Tiwa Savage takes us on a fairy
tale about love and other things.
Before the album, Tiwa has released music singles such as
‘Kelekele Love and Without my Heart’, these songs managed
to steal our hearts and kept us anticipating and almost begging
for a complete album from the songstress. After several
changes in release-dates, the debut album finally came to
light, with 21 tracks and different genres, from gospel to afro
beat and even techno. The album was released under Mavin
Records and 323Entertianment’ and features 7 producers and
5 artistes.
Here is the track-to-track review of the long awaited album;
Track 1: “Once Upon A Time” this track enlightens us about
the real “Tiwa Savage” and her journey into the music world.
Track 2: “Wanted” Tiwa amazes us with this second track.
Wanted is produced by western hit-maker ‘Warren “Oak”
Felder’ who has worked with the likes of Rihanna, Chris
Brown, Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys etc.
Track 3: “Ileke” this is an afro pop track dedicated to the
ladies. And a pretty applause to every successful female in the
Nigerian entertainment industry. This song easily gets the party
started and will probably become a smash hit owing to its
Gospel intoxicating drum dominated afro beat instrumentations;
Tiwa gets her feminism started by urging females to shake
their Ibadi (waist). She calls on prominent female figures
(Linda Ikeji, Weird MC, Ita Giwa, Rita Dominic etc) to shake
their waists.
Track 4: “Middle Passage” this song is international and very
catchy. This track shows Tiwa’s vocal abilities in a new light,
highlighting her lower register.
26 HF Magazine Edition 1, Volume 1.
Track 5: “Olorun Mi” is a sober track
dedicated to the ones we’ve lost to the cold
hands of death. Savage sings a narrative song
with rhythmic verses.
Track 6: “Why Don’t You Love Me” A major
mood swing as Tiwa Savage dares her man
on ‘Why Don’t Love Me’? This song is well
composed and I believe it will catch the
attention of many ladies.
Track 7: “Fela Interlude” This skit samples
Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s Lady. And Tiwa gave
this track an R & B feel.
Track 8: “Love Me, Love Me, Love Me” No
doubt since the track was released as a
single, the track easily gave Tiwa out as a
diva who will soon rule the industry. ‘Love
Me, Love Me, Love Me’ is heavy! There is no
denying this diva the love and attention she
demands. Credit to Harmony Samuels.
Track 9: “Eminado (feat. Don Jazzy)”
Eminado is a real African song. A very good
collaboration with Don Baba. I can’t wait to
hear this song in major clubs and air stations.
Track