On his remix of Drake’s “Diplomatic Immunity,” veteran indie rapper Boogey placed M.I Abaga at the number 2 spot in his list of top 5 Nigerian rappers. As he did with other rappers on that list, Boogey gave a quick insight into his gripe with M.I, noting that the main reason the Short Black Boy couldn’t be number one was due to his lackadaisical attitude towards making rap music in recent years. Boogey wasn’t laying a totally new charge at M.I’s feet, he was only echoing the sentiments many had been harbouring, albeit in more definite and biting terms. And he wasn’t even the first to publicly pop that Pandora’s Box open.
Veteran journalist Ayomide Tayo had previously penned a strong-worded open letter, asking M.I why he was AWOL during what was a dry spell for Nigerian hip-hop on the mainstream, amongst other things. M.I took Mr. Tayo’s requisition to heart, taking it as a subpoena and scheduling a deposition that manifested in the form of a now infamous, thrilling conversationon the Loose Talk Podcast the very next day.
During that podcast episode, M.I boldly announced new music on the horizon, listing three projects – two of them untitled as at then – signalling a massive comeback was already in the works.
Earlier this year, M.I released Rendezvous, packaged as a playlist, as the first of those projects. Centring on mood and mostly shallow premise, but still delivering great music, Rendezvous was well received, but it was obviously meant to whet appetites for the arrival of the main event, Yxng Dxnzl. As with any M.I project, anticipation for Yxng Dxnzl is high, even higher since its part of the LAMBaugust – last week’s album, Loose Kaynon and AQ’s Crown has already set the bar high.
There’s a heavy cloud of expectancy, though, looming around Yxng Dxnzl (now stylized as A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl) that has set its hype at fever pitch amongst hip-hop enthusiasts, much of it bordering on M.I’s controversial “You Rappers Should Fix up Your Lives.” The comeback single makes an appearance on this album despite the mixed reactions, hot takes, numerous replies and sneak disses that have ensued. It’s a move suggesting M.I is going to boldly saying as much as he wants on Yxng Dxnzl even with scrutiny looming ahead. If this is the case, it should making for an engrossing and potentially compelling listen. Even a glance at the track titles is a sign that M.I isn’t here to “catch a vibe,” like he did on Rendezvous.
As it stands, due to the inflammatory nature of “YRSFUYL,” Yxng Dxnzl is the most important M.I release since his sophomore album, M.I 2: The Movie. Many are watching to see if the man that called out the whole hip-hop community, rather timidly and somewhat hypocritically if I might add, will be able to justify (or to some, redeem) himself with impeccable music. M.I has never disappointed me, he knows how to craft good projects, some of them classic. But on the cusp of listening to Yxng Dxnzl, I don’t just want a good album, I want to be wowed with a great album. I want to be able to type the latter part of his abbreviated moniker in full as my reaction at the end of this review. It’s a lot to expect, but I believe M.I is fully capable of delivering. Let’s get it.
From this point on, all you’ll read is my gut reaction to each song on first listen. No skips, no pause and no rewind.
Do You Know Who You Are? Take Some Time To Meditate On You
Coin drop, lets go. Tay Iwar’s cotton candy voice, extremely soulful and piercing. This is a gorgeous way to begin the album, already seeing rainbows. “Take time and meditate on you.” M.I sounds like he’s been staved off words for over a decade. Knowledge is lodged in these bars. “You cannot build each other up?/How do we build economy?” Wonderful question. This first verse is dazzling, really. The production on this is immaculate by the way, lightweight but very cinematic. M.I is rapping, bro. He’s talking about how the Black man needs to look inside and become better. “Niggas open your wings/let your woman be king.” This is is a fantastic way to open an album, very engrossing and wildly different from light hearted skits that usually begin M.I albums. Whoever is delivering this anti-racism TED talk, I like it. There’s nothing to not like about this intro, nothing. Oh, M.I is on a shrink’s chair? Who’s this shrink spilling all of this warmth? I could use some of this support in my life, shit, we all could.
Last Night I Had A Dream About A Hummingbird
Another TED talk to begin this. “When you’re constantly trying to meet the expectations of someone else, you’re letting yourself down.” M.I sounds really good, I know it’s two songs in but I feel really good about his candor. It’s only an airy piano riff beneath M’s voice, it’s basically suede black. M.I on his liberation shit without being too preachy. Robotic drums just kicked, the breakdown sounds like a transformer breakdancing on the beat. Long silence. The shrink is back. I wonder how she ties into the arch of this album, but I know she’s integral. Already have a few ideas.
You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives
The single that got everyone in their feelings. Someone said M.I is taking L’s, I chuckled a bit. Or is that aimed at Nigerian rappers? “YRSFUYL” still has that undeniable knock even after these months. Complaining about not being able to retire because of no feasible successor is premium, Messianic M.I. “I’m still the one that you look to/you need me to figure shit out!” These bass drops sound like they were sampled from the thumping match of the 300, my ears are getting bludgeoned in the best way possible. This song has been picked apart so I don’t really have much to say. Still have some problems with the content, but I won’t lie and say it didn’t push conversations. Who’s the hilarious guy on this skit? Hahahaha. Buhari’s rep is practically non-existent in the streets. The shrink is back. “For them you’re not a person, you’re a fantasy.” Damn.
Another Thing! Do Not Be A Groupie
Quick shout-out to autocorrect, massive help so far. I need to know where M.I gets his sample pack from. Oh Shit! A major Bangz drop without monster drums is really weird, but this sounds really fantastic all the same. That cunilingus line is funny, a perfect example of an M.I-ism. “This music business is a funny business,” udonmeanit bro. ApPC and PDP caught a bar, shout-out to the transfer market. Also cauught that Kanye reference. This second verse has plenty of swagger in it. He’s listing those who have come through the Choc city ranks, must be nice. “I’m staying with my family because it made me.” Didn’t this man release the video for “Brother” like yesterday? This is uncomfortably nebulous for me, but I’m still rocking with it. This sounds really good! Superhero music, people. Another skit, an OAP talking about loyalty.
Stop! Never Second Guess Yourself
The production on Yxng Dxnzl up to this point has been really good. M.I just jumped in with the drums, frenetic. There’s something innately silly about M.I sayimg “bad bitch.” Oh, this is aimed at self worth for ladies. “Take yourself to dinner, then caress yourself” is just funny. Fam, M is giving ladies Instagram captions, I think. This whole song has a silliness to it. “Sometimes you over dissect yourself.” M’s feminism is really peeking out here, but there’s this counter shaming thing is rubbing me somehow. Beat breakdown, things just slowed down. “Self over hate” is a mantra. Whose voice is this? Cina Soul! Her voice has an unshakeable warmth, I need to revisit Metanoia real soon. Whatever Universal Nigeria is doing with her, if that’s still going on, it needs to manifest real soon. Wait. Is the shrink M’s girlfriend or what? Okay, she’s mirroring that type of relationship.
You Are Like Melody, My Heart Skips A Beat
This is very tranquil. Sirens are distant, like hearing a cop car from the 30th floor. This voice sounds familiar but I can’t place it yet. M.I is being Mr loveeman already with his verse. “I always say your ex, he never saw your valuation.” This song has a nice knock, by the way. “Real love is proven, it’s hardly announced.” There’s so much genuity to M.I’s words, brilliant. Lornie Chia! Yes! Shout-out my friend Victor for putting me on When The Morning Comes. “I put my country on like Kenny Rogers,” this second verse is gold. Lornie sounds really good, she has that Primma Donna-lite voice. I need to know how this collab happened.
+-
Man, the piano samples on this album are dark, sophisticated type of dark. This is building up nicely. M just..hollup! OOOOOHHH! That’s a drop! This is a ridiculous bouncy, fantastic groove. M.I is riding this beat like his life depends in it – he better! He’s moonwalking. That critically line is not exactly funny, M, but I like this verse otherwise. Odunsi! This hook is a whole vibe. Seems like he has fantastic chemistry with M. “Wicked person dey kiss bible too,” preach bro. My shoulders can’t keep still and I’m bouncing on my seat like it’s a pogo stick, pause. M.I is sending strays on this second verse, “niggas ain’t tryna help you get on.” This flow is premium, knife sliding through butter. “Positive Vibes only, my people,” a mood forever. I’m going to spin this song an obnoxious amount of times! I’ve neer been excited for new Odunsi music, but I’m interested now. Lady Donli! If aliens want to take over the earth and Donli’s voice is their beacon, I’m submitting ASAP. I need a 4song EP of Lady Donli mumble, melodic raps. I could care less about this skit, I want to replay “+-” so bad right now. Well, that seemed important.
I believe In You, You Should Too, Believe In You
This is already sunnier than the other piano riffs on this album, so far. Bass just dropped like it’s trying to break my jaw. M came alongside and he sounds like he’s drawing energy from the beat as well. Inspirational M is very underrated. Haha, what is this staggered flow pattern? “10 years I’ve been knocking, snapping” OH SHIT! M suggesting Pusha T, should be kissing his ring is a whole other level of boasting. Wow, M’s confidence here is deafening. “Tell me what I need approval for?” This man doesn’t care if you agree, all he wants is that respect. This will ring off on social media, definitely. HOLD. THE. FUCK. UP!! M.I is exposing dad issues on the same track where he just finished bragging. Wow. This whole album is therapy, apparently.
The Self Evaluation Of Yxng Dxnzl
Someone’s on the phone, you can tell it’s his mum from the way she’s telling him to stay focused. “All I want to do is drink, fuck, smoke.” Haha, well, that took a quick turn. This self deprecation on a very deep level. This man has his hand out, he wants help. The life of a celebrity is boxed in, terribly. We’re getting details, fam. M coming out about depression is a big deal, I hope it helps reduce the stigma attached to mental illness in Nigeria. This doesn’t feel performative in the least, everything feels so dour, even the bounce on the beat is dripping heavy melancholy, dark clouds are hanging over this song. Shit, man, I’m in my feels. “Lately I’ve been acting strong/ but I’ve ben at my weakest.” Maybe this is why he went AWOL after IM3. Shit, now I feel we’re all dickheads for yelling for his return. Reminds me of Kendrick asking who the fuck is praying for him. I can’t place the female voice, but she’s channeling M’s gloom perfectly. This is a lot!
Love Never Fails But Where There Are Prophecies Love Will Cease To Remain
Final song. Need some closure and positivity after the previous song. It’s trudging along slowly, but there’s a soothing quality to this. Tay just came back in like a glorious ray of light, his singing is like getting a tight hug from a loved one. Tay’s talking about a girl who’s hopped on pills and clouds just took away the sunshine. M just tagged in with the angelic vocals, almost unrecognizable. This is gorgeous. This is soul music. “When I say I understand, she knows I’m telling a lie.” This is music you just want to fall into. There’s sadness but it’s nt a black hole. Tay has the perfect voice for conveying emotion, it touches the core of your soul. M and Tay are harmonizing and I feel like I’m entering a state of zen. “First you gotta promise to try.” The amount of people that will find solace in this song…sheesh. I don’t know whos singing right now, but he sure as hell is bringing the blues. “This is not music, it’s emotion.” Perfect way to sum all this up.
Yxng Dxnzl 1-listen review closing thoughts
The difficulty of a 1-listen review, which also happens to be its beauty, is having to contextualize a whole body of work almost immediately, especially for an album like Yxng Dxnzl, where there’s a lot to be unpacked and digested. But considering how much first impressions matter, my hot take on this album is that it’s incredible.
M.I pulled up a laundry list of items, carefully peeling them back in both word and sound. In his exploration into Self Worth, M.I uses introspection as his primary tool to create music that is as mentally stimulating as it is soul stirring, an album with M.I’s heart as its motif and his intellect as its executor. Not only does evaluate society and drop a couple of nuggets in the process, M.I turns inward throughout the album as well, unleashing jarring confessions and strongly tapping into those visceral feelings to put out therapeutic music that also happens to be gorgeously crafted.
Yxng Dxnzl is, as expected, a complete 360 from Rendezvous, stricter with its direction without necessarily coming off as heavy handed or plotting to gain cool points, also covering a lot of ground with higher prospects of becoming rewarding with each subsequent listen – I know I’m ready to dive back in. It’s an album that hushes most of the time, the closest to a song aiming for radio success is “+-,“ designed for the listener to access and get lost in, preferably via good earphones. It’s an album that demands to be lived with, picked apart and also scrutinized. With this, it’s obvious that there will be arguments that will be made about the entire viability of some of M.I’s lyrics and musical choices – he will dominate conversations and be the subject of numerous think pieces in the coming weeks – but my ear tells me Yxng Dxnzl will hold up.
Time is a major key factor that will play a role in determining where Yxng Dxnzl lands on the rapper’s quite stellar catalog, but I have to say: I haven’t felt this good about an M.I album since M.I 2 (or Illegal Music 2 if you add mixtapes.) I will save the classic debate for a later date, but I know, deep in my bones, that Yxng Dxnzl is a masterpiece.