Pulse Album Review: Rapper democratises Hip-hop in “Stories That Touch” LP

 

Even before he let his debut album “Wazup Guy” flow into the market, many already knew that Falz was the real deal. The rapper had swag, panache and most importantly, talent to go with these.

“Wazup Guy” was touted as one of the best albums you never listened to, and Falz knew just what to do. In came comedy and all the fans that come with it. By making people laugh, Falz struck a psychological chord in many, thereby creating a loyal group of followers with malleable desires who can consume both comedy and music. Simply put, it’s laughter and comedy in one.

That following has grown exponentially, and the singer test ran with singles which were consumed enthusiastically, leading to this album.

“Stories That Touch” is as conceptual as it comes in contemporary Nigeria. It’s a collection of stories that traverses all the different spheres of life with focus on love, happiness, hustle, emotion, heartbreak and the dark arts.

On the one hand, it’s a body of stories that democratises music, of how any story that deeply affects people can be milked and seamlessly infused into a genre which became popular for its exclusive Hip-hop heads. This is Hip-hop for the common man.

 

For the romantics, the album has Soldier with Simi, a jewel from the musicians who once again dovetails on a love ballad. ‘Celebrity Girlfriend’ is a satirical piece on vain aspirational love delivered by Falz and Reekado Banks. ‘Supe’ with Yemi Alade brings it to the doors of contemporary highlife, and ‘Love you pass’ has Bez adding extra class to the affair.

Time difference is a slow gem for distant lovers with emotional cravings, and ‘Chardonnay music’ appeals to your percussionist senses. Our collective hustle as a people and our individual strife to thrive is addressed poignantly in ‘My people’, and it’s combined with traditional common sense in ‘Workaholic’.

This wouldn’t be a Falz album without some comic skit, and he comes through with ‘Airline drama’. There’s also an appreciation in the final track ‘Everybody’, as the singer understands that his music is powered by mass affection and love.

“Stories That Touch” is everything a rap album should be and more. There’s something for everyone as Falz shows intense growth and mastery of sounds and harmony. Sess, who powered all via production stays fresh and disarmingly brilliant.

Falz is onto a good thing.