By: Ehis Ohunyon

In 2016, the duo of Boogey & Paybac, two rappers whose names have consistently been the subject of online conversation surrounding rap in Nigeria and have become items on various list of the next big thing in hip-hop came together under the moniker Lost & Found on the collaborative project, Faceoff, one where like the classic movie featuring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, the duo pushed their lyricism to the max with intense rhyme schemes, witty bars, and sharp punchlines.

They are in no way an odd couple, one is a grizzled emcee critically recognized as one of the finest lyricists around while the other has a penchant for the uncanny experimental sound with his last album, serving as an anthem for youths dealing with depression and finding themselves.

With 13 cumulative projects between them in five years, the duo, more of age, more accepting of the fan’s reception to their art and more aware of how the genre and its appreciation has evolved over the years renew their vows on the sophomore collaborative effort, Alternate Ending.

Working with frequent collaborators in producers Charlie X, Black Intelligence and Sizzle Pro, the 13 track tape features similarly independent acts in the likes of Maka, Aramide, Jazzz, Danladi, Mon Lee, and Lyn, the only other rapper to make the project.

With Faceoff, the duo feasted more on the buzz surrounding their climb at the time, their fan-bases were growing on an independent level [or so it felt] and uniting forces like the Avengers was all they needed to save the ailing rap scene and attain mainstream success.

They have since learned that coming together never automatically gives them access to the power stones of the industry and on this sequel project, they deliver a more ambitious, well rounded and meticulous concept album that carries a message capturing their frustrations but focusing more on how they have discovered a way to cope with it.

The album’s opener, “The Portal” provides a story guide into their mindset as the narrator presents an insightful summary of what the journey ahead holds with the principal characters involved in it.

In an intense form, “Implode” kicks in as Paybac sets things off with some boastful bars while Boogey’s reality is reflected in how the industry has failed to accept his greatness even after delivering seven projects.

These difficulties are further highlighted on “What They Said”, where they address those who say rap don’t sell. Paybac’s trademark drowsy delivery is intact here as he paints a picture of his consciousness.

”Remember when I started, they said I’m wrong for the market, now I hold masses for masses paying offering to me, and I never bent over or a** kissed for promo, I stay true to myself, my mystique has always been me.”

Boogey & PayBac — The Lost & Found: Alternate Ending (2019)

Danladi is the tape’s first guest and he handles the hook delivered in Hausa language impressively on “Uwaka” that has Paybac rapping and singing while dropping the F*** Buhari line, as Boogey evokes a nostalgic ride reminding listeners of how long he has been in the game, with one of his early singles, ‘Burning Bush’ released six years ago.

There is a rush of guest appearances on the next set of songs that helps center the music with Mon Lee featuring on one of the standout cuts “Hard II Kill”, a sequel to the original version which appeared on Faceoff.

The song is laden with heavy verses that embody the ethos that makes the duo two of my favorites as they tell a dense story of their truth.

On “Memories”, inspired by love and heartbreak, Lyn does a masterful job of matching up to the two rappers while Aramide’s vocals on “Hold Me Down” is everything you need in your down moments, with Paybac’s verse serving as a testament to his general brilliance and agility.

“Private Jet Conversations” is another gem of a track where together with Jazzz, they discuss with the right amount of coy imagination various topics ranging from the state of the country to being played by record labels, but this time, not with bitterness or regret but with legs crossed sitting somewhere in the clouds.

Paybac is the gunslinger on “The Boogeyman”, armed with enough Nollywood references to get your history catalog updated while Boogey delightfully re-enacts the concept on “Paybac Time”, even though the song perhaps deserved a better hook.

Superb poetry, lyricism, and rhyme scenes are skills synonymous to the duo but it is songs like “More To Reach/Everest” featuring Soul singer, Maka that actually makes them special.

Opening with some atmospheric riffs, Boogey serves up a punchy verse where he modestly asks “Which of you are on my level?” as he reflects on his decisions and how things have fared for him with Paybac echoing the concept of the song affirming that he’s only stopping when he dies.

“Shun Sir” featuring the Charlie X’s electronic creation, Monki Bznzz is the ‘We have arrived, time to pop champagne’ bouncy type record that is well on its way to being the crowning radio single of the project. The album closes with “Don’t Wake Me Up”, a song that focuses on how one can lose his soul pursuing success. The production on this is pure bliss.

In closing, this is a thoroughly enjoyable album, a near flawless project, one fueled by a certain kind of grown-man reflection, accepting the things they cannot change and honoring their journey thus far.

Credit must go to the producers, Charlie, Sizzle and Black Intelligence who put the synergy they have with the duo and the understanding of their individual flow and style to create eclectic and compelling beats for them to flourish.

Your appreciation of Alternate Ending will depend on your familiarity with the works of both emcees and the range of your hip-hop tastes but while I will not be too quick to crown this a “Classic” or “Album of the year” material even though it should, without doubt, make any credible award consideration, it is clear that after all these years, Boogey and Paybac inspire something unreal in each other and Alternate Ending not only reaffirm their elite lyrical ability but also showcases a deep and honest assessment of where they are and a pride in their resilience.

Catch up on the album below: