For a few, all it takes is one song, and for others, it takes countless tries.

5 projects in and Boogey is still has tenacious as the day he captured the first glimpses of attention. Since then, every bar vibrates with a desire to prove that he’s the best, every song is a display of eye catching lyricism, and with every project came a fine tuning of other stuff elemental to making great rap songs and projects.

If things had moved up after his show-stealing verse on M.I’s “Ridiculous,” Boogey would be a version of an industry plant, with Aboriginal productions being the machine behind the growth – that was the plan. That relationship turned sour later on, and he had to grind harder to plant himself into the minds of fans and bystanders alike.

There’s a 3-year space between Boogey’s first two mixtapes, but about a year after the second, the tally became 5 – two more mixtapes and a joint project with fellow indie veteran rapper Paybac. Lyrical mastery was offered every time Boogey stepped up to the line, conquering the underground mixtape circuit, regaining and retaining the attention of every and anyone serious about Nigerian hip-hop with his steady flow of output.

Nouveau Niveau is Boogey’s sixth project, his solo debut album and a commercial foray out of the basement. There’s no doubt that this album will be a lyrical banquet, a thanksgiving dinner of bars that would get any fat hip-hop nerd excited. But beyond the lyrical mastery, what I’d like to hear is the man David Odey, using Boogey as an inlet to listeners on deeper, probably more personal themes. His mixtapes already served the “I can rap” purpose, and even if it will be great to hear him flex those biceps, giving it a bigger purpose serves the potency of Nouveau Niveau both on short term and long term basis.

Four pointers have set a nice precedent already; 1) two really great singles in “Liquor Nights” and “Solo,” (2) the album is selling at N1,500, Boogey is sure of what he’s put together to believe it should go for such a high amount, (3) the cover art features Boogey on a shrink’s couch, something personal I presume and (4) the names on the tracklist – especially a few names involved with the sonic texture – have given me hope that Boogey’s musical improvements is only going to soar, and so should Nouveau Niveau.

This review is based on real time reactions during my first listen, so it will definitely be looser than a cannon. No? Okay, no. While first impressions matter, it can be inadequate to judge music in all its context off one listen, so expect a second form of review later on.

For now, let me press play and get into the world Boogey has created with Nouveau Niveau. No skips, no rewinds, no fast forwards. Here goes nothing.

Just A Man

A female voice, the shrink, she asking Boogey if he’s been taking his bars prescription. Thunder and lightening sounds, maybe my earphones are too loud. These keys are dark, like they’re welcoming undertaker from the underworld. Boogey sounds full of energy, he always does, probably drinks a lot of blood tonic. “What would you do if you had the power of God?” Ha, make everyone read everything I write. This production is grand, and darker than Batman’s suit. “Sometimes I think I’m one one of y’all,” Boogey of the sky people. This is a serviceable intro, setting the tone. The shrink is back.

Lemme Know (Ft. Wondaboy)

Bells dancing and chiming. I’m guessing this is Wondaboy’s voice, it’s alright. What?! The bass just came in harder than Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball, gaddemit! Trying to fixate on Boogey’s lines, I’m getting the full gist, but maybe writing while listening was a bad idea. Boogey rapping about being underrated is probably very underrated since he’s done it 100 times and can still milk the same source effectively. Well, this shit is hot, won’t call it fire yet, but it’s hot. The snarl in Boogey’s voice should be used at an ATM when someone is taking too long. Every time the bass drops, I just want to punch the air. Another strong cut.

Liquor Nights (Ft. Tay)

Ah. The million dollar horns. God bless sencosonic, this song is gold, those drums and hi hats are throwing up angel dust. The storytelling on this impeccable, AI shit. Tay’s hook is the best thing I’ve heard on this album so far, maybe because I like it so much, very majestic. Boogey rapping in French is mad trips, super power stuff. Multiple plays and “Liquor Nights” still has that new new feel. “Let the rosé be poured” said the rich alcoholic. Maybe it’s sentiment, but this my best so far.

Solo (Ft. Jazzz Atta & Kemi Smallz)

Black Intelligence went ham on this joint, he always does. Boom bap drums and jazzy keys is the good life, Jazzz’s voice is amazing on this. Boogey’s gift for narrating stuff is underrated, or maybe I’m using the word loosely. “Is you is or is you ain’t my baby?” Crying laughing emoji, guy. Kemi Smallz’ voice is what Aphrodite would sound like, I want to live with it. The amount of soul Jazzz is dropping on the hook is heavy, and she’s not even saying much. Boogey rapping about women’s issues is always pretty solid and different from the regular. Great song, fantabulous production.

Happy Never After (Ft. Good Girl LA)

Amazing tag, that’s Kid Konnect! Shout-out to autocorrect for these fire suggestions, making life easier. Serene, shimy keys, bass dropped and we’re in full vibe mode. Boogey is racing through every chance he gets. “Imma just get my groove on,” sing LA, sing. This is a breakup song actually, haha, I guess the shrink is making our guy spill his guts. Good Girl LA’s voice always has some pizzazz, but this is not grabbing me the way it should. What is this switch up? We just went full dancefloor afro-pop. Dancing to a breakup song is sorta like dancing on the grave of disappointment, maybe.

Level VI

This already sounds very hip-hoppy, some boom and some bap, familiar but unique. Boogey is aggressive with these bars, he sounds like he’s always trying to find a way to make sure your ears catch up to him. I’d say slow down, but this is fire. Beat sounds like it was created in Brooklyn. “My fire make the devil want to come and take a spark” he’s sure rapping like he’s in a furnace. This song makes me want to grab my crotch while wearing a baggy jeans and some timbs. This is my fave already, first song getting replayed.

Don’t Listen To This (I’m Wack II)

Eery and foreboding. Haha, is this the autotune stuff Boogey was tweeting about? Psyche. He’s rapping with that familiar fire, this already sounds better than “I’m Wack,” the beat is bouncing as fast as Kyrie’s handles when he’s trying to break an ankle. Just as he was going off, the satirical hook came in. Don’t old head hip-hop artists and fans get tired of this sorta unnecessary mockery? WHAT. IS. THIS. FLOW?! THIS IS LIKE WHEN EVERYTHING IS AT BREAKNECK SPEED ON TEMPLE RUN. Bruhhhhhh! How did he keep his breath?! I need answers! I want to replay this, dear God!

Magic Man (Ft. Terry Tha Rapman)

My keyboard seems a couple of inches farther, maybe because I’ve been pounding at them too hard. These drums are trying to break my eardrums, this is an invasion. Whatever this pacman-esque sample is, I’m too young to know it. He’s getting bars off, there’s that vulgarity I’ve not heard in a while. Terry is in the building, this man needs to share the elixir with boys. “Chance the rapper wey dey chance rappers” I like that bar, Terry sounds like jmje looks, 25, younger than Falz. Boogey is back again, and he’s doing his best subway surf impression, every time. “I’ve got a better generation in my ball sack” I chuckled. This robotic beat sounds like a leftover from Vince Staples’ Big Fish Theory. Meh for me.

Motions (Ft. Lady Donli)

90s R&B keys, very vintage, Odunsi tag. Quite a slow beat, but Boogey’s doesn’t care, he’s doing a 120 on it already. He probably runs faster than what he sets at the threadmill at the gym. He’s being candid about his music situation, feel like I’ve heard this song from him a thousand times. Lady Donli’s voice is from Mars, don’t try to tell me otherwise. Boogey’s mad about shit, I get why he’s always boiling hot and rapping so fast, but I need a break. Lady Donli on more hooks, only those songs with some soul on it.

Different Strokes (Ft. Onosz)

These hums sound troubled. God, please let Boogey slow d…I’ve not even finished my request and I’m already being attacked with a flurry. This sounds like some real life shit. Bruh, Twitter needs to hear this song, maybe their ridiculous standard setting will reduce. Onosz’ voice is doing justice to these pertinent words. Boogey knows how to write, sounds like I’ve bleached that line but it’s true. Mashing a collage of vignettes to make his point known. “Do your own, I go do my own” a beautiful mantra to live by in 2018.

Heaven Can Wait (Ft. Sojay)

Acoustic guitar, Sojay, percussions, everything feels so colorful. Man, these drums are gorgeous. Rapid flow Boogey is the only Boogey on this album, and I just want a break. I get when people say he can suffocate a song with his delivery. There’s  darkness in his words, descriptive rapping is a potent tool for Boogey, only if he’d slow down. He’d tell me to say it to his damn nuts, though. Rehash of his career on this third verse is getting cloying, a little. There’s sunshine in Sojay’s voice, I don’t hate this song, needs a revisit to grow on me.

Prayers (Ft. Aina Moore & Samigold)

Woah! This explodes louder than bombs over Baghdad, I was caught be surprise with the switch. This is Aina Moore, the innit accent is so beautiful, haha. She sounds good, really good, a great companion for Boogey. If I’m ever at a club in New York, so help me God, I’ll be patriotic and get them to bump this shit. I hate this hook already, is this guy an aspiring Fuji singer? No, fam, NO! Save me, Boogey. “I am the Mona Lisa” that’s a brag bereft of all humility. Boogey probably does everything at quick pace, reminds me of Chelsea’s Pedro. This hook needs to be doing hard time, go away. This beat is bonkers though.

Message To Heaven (Ft. Jane Sam)

The soul in Jane Sam’s voice still flickers brightly. The union that brought us “Sanctum.” Boogey is grappling with his faith the way a 2year old fumbles with his shoe laces. This is an extension of those controversial takes he puts up on Twitter once in a while. This feels like a part two of “Sanctum,” and this second verse is confirming it. This has all the markings of a filler, maybe because it’s spiritual predecessor might be a better song. Getting Jane Sam to reenact the same energy half a decade, it’s alright. Love these guitars, they’re levitating. Yeah, okay, catching my breath.

Voice Of God

This intro is gigantic. Introspective Boogey is whipping out the questions. “We in hell already” are you telling me? I live in a country where a snake swallows 36million naira. This voice is Douglas Jekan’s, I didn’t binge through PTTGM interviews not to recognize his voice. Wow, he just said something about Daniel not being scared of the Lions being hogwash. Boogey’s skepticism is unmatched, play this song at obscene volumes, preferably at a religious gathering.

Nobody’s Fault

Who’s on this hook? Is it a sample? Sounds very heavy. Boogey’s looking at the mirror and surveying his scraggly self from the path he’s chosen. Regrets not being like Ice Prince as opposed to his rap messiah route. Heavy shades of regret in his voice, would connect more if he wasn’t trying to win the rap Olympics with this. This hook is very sobering, there’s dark clouds everywhere on this song. Mans sounds very nostalgic and pained, he had plans to cross over and continue to actually rap. Lofty ambitions, would have been amazing if it happened. “thought I was about to have some good luck, but it was fake” that’s some sad shit. This is giving me all the feels, and this suicide mentions are just so jarring. “Never had a team” “I’m doing twice the work for half the recognition.” I feel distraught on behalf of Boogey, his story is far from a fairytale

*Takes a minute to collect thoughts and crack fingers*

Practice makes perfect sums everything good about Nouveau Niveau. Boogey’s hit another level of rappity rap that’s actually interesting to hear, his writing is slightly more urgent and his quick fire flow gives life to that feeling. As expected, the rain of bars came down, one many hip-hop heads will be delighted in listening to.

The subject matter is nothing new, it’s the same ol’ Boogey many of his earlier fans have come to know and respect, he’s found more ways to say the same things without losing intrigue, that’s a solid achievement if you ask me. Add a batch of solid beats, and the new level is definitely vivid.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” sums up the negative sides of the album. While impeccable breath control and a rapid flow always brings the wow factor, using it at every turn bleaches the novelty. Boogey is not trying to exchange being Barry Allen for poignancy, parts of Nouveau would have benefitted from reining it in, immensely. Even Barry Allen had to learn that he needed to curb the use his super powers to be able to fully appreciate and maximize them (don’t judge me, I stopped watching that shit at season 2).

Based on first listen, a lot works on Nouveau Niveau way more than it doesn’t, it’s a great rap album filled with all the drives down the lane and finishing skills we know Boogey is capable of.

Meanwhile, support the album with a purchase, and keep an eye out for a second review with a score.