Show Dem SZN is upon us. Last year, the duo comprising Tec and Ghost hit a new stratosphere with Palmwine Music, Vol. 1, mere months after releasing the best hip-hop album of 2016 – and 2017, if you ask me. The seven-song EP was a rather innovative step for the veteran duo, building on a foundation that had been laid by their biggest song up till then, the Juls-produced “Feel Alright” from 2013.
Immediately after release, Palmwine Music, Vol. 1, entirely produced by Spax, was met with instant critical acclaim from all corners, mixed with the commercial impact to translate into SDC’S biggest moment yet. Coasting off the highs, a couple of Palmwine Music sessions followed suit, finally culminating into the Palmwine Music Festival held at the Muri Okunlola park late last year. For such a successful first entry, it makes all the sense for a second entry to be made.
Today sees the long-awaited release of Palmwine Music 2. Featuring a studded cast of supporting artists, from regulars Ajebutter22 and BOJ, to Burna Boy and Worlasi, PM2 is setting itself up as a treat. On paper, nothing should go wrong. As excited as I am—I’m always pumped for new SDC music—I’m also very curious as to how Tec and Ghost are going to go about giving the widely loved and replay button compliant PM, Vol. 1 a befitting successor. It can be difficult for franchises to top their first installment, but if The Godfather could do it, Show Dem Camp can.
Also, the first time I tried my hands on a 1-listen review was for PM, Vol. 1, thankfully that mild disaster is no longer where it used to be on the internet. So, happy anniversary or what? Nobody cares, let’s just get to the music.
As usual, all that you’ll read from here on will be my first reactions to each song in real time. No skips, no fast forwards, no rewinds.
Under The Influence (Intro)
The opening sequence has a foreboding nature to it. Reggae lite vibe, music for a smoker’s lounge. Type of shit you nod your head to, pause. “We got you high off this palmwine vibe” is not an exaggeration. Both of these guys Sou extra faded.
Damiloun f/ Ajebutter22 & BOJ
Aha! Proper intro! These flutes and horns on this intro are flexes. Butter can never go wrong on a slow-burning, groovy beat. You plebeians need to put some respek on this man’s name! He’s eating this shit without any problems. Fuck, BOJ! Oh. My. Days. Tec entered will the swag of a man in a white trad. This song was destined to ring off, ever since the snippet was premiered on the “Popping” video. I needed this jam yesterday. Ghost is zoned out, for fuck’s sake this man is great at rapping. He’s not dropped a B- grade verse since he claimed 10,000 hours mastery, this is a fantastic one to add to the collection. Combining Butter and BOJ on a hook is a flex. This song is a whole ass flex! By the fucking way, respect Spax!
System Fail f/ Nonso Amadi
Light highlife guitars. Nonso Amadi’s voice makes angels shudder. This beat hasn’t settled yet, but Nonso is shining way too hard right now for me to care. Those xylophones are alright. Ghost is having fun in the pocket of this beat. I’m going come back for that Omar Epps line. “System Fail” isn’t grabbing me by the shoulders, but I’m 85% sure it will grow on me. Tec has the best voice for faded rap, this verse is something. This is the type of song you hit when the party is dying down, to gay couples in the mood, you know. “I just want free booze and turkey” is a whole mood. Nonso is making me hungry. This would’ve made a great solo Nonso song too, I guess.
Legend f/ Burna Boy
Been hyped to hear this one since I saw the features list. Horns giving me life already. That female voice afro scatting is everything too. Burna sounds good! He’s riding the beat like he stole it, not in a reckless way but in a sexy way. By the way, Burna is a legend. He gave us a new national anthem, argue with your mom. Tec is swiveling, lightly. He’s having fun with it, and it’s a really nice flow, not much regarding quotables but it’s a solid verse. Spax must have listened to a shit tonne of Fela, he’s having so much fun with these compositions. I can hear myself chanting “I Be Legend,” because Burna Boy. Ghost’s Rastaman inflection is okay. Oooh! This is a great verse! He’s snapped! Look, SDC’s legend status is not up for debate. Female background voice is key! Great song, this one. Multiple spins guaranteed.
Tropicana f/Flash
Very mellow vibe. Percussions kicked in rather gently. Nice hook, Flash. Tec is one for a chick record, he’s doing his thing pretty well here. I’m still not totally sold on this one yet, but I can see the allure. Flash has some pep in his voice, he’s selling himself and this song pretty well if you ask me, I’m just not sure of buying just yet. Ghost just painted the picture of a really pretty lady and he’s already being carnal, haha. “She got the juice/I got the gin”… “She’s an alté babe/and I got the cruise” Sheesh, Ghost killing. Now, I like this. “If you be how, best believe I’m a farmer,” seriously, Flash? Good hook otherwise.
Ragabomi f/Moelogo
This one’s more upbeat, thankfully. I like that guitar riff. Logo needs a Spax pack, stat! This hook has massive potential to stick. I hope this gets the single treatment after “Damiloun.” I like that anticipation thing Ghost did at the beginning of this verse, he knows how to make an impression right from the jump and I’m really into his verse. Fam, this is going to go off with the right promo. Moelogo is flaunting that sweet poetry, Yoruba is sweet language. Tec tagged in and he’s absolutely gliding. That “Kai” adlib needs to be kept in a museum. Yep, he nailed. This one is short, sweet and effective.
For A Minute f/ Lady Donli
Does Spax play the piano? This is a really nice buildup, please don’t fail me. Donli is flexing her falsetto, she’s floating over this beat. Haha, Tec said “she’s been feeling guys since “Feel Alright” and my mind went somewhere else. Whoever the lady is pushing Tec, thank you from all of us. I’m going to spin this regularly to hear Donli “you’re a king,” that’s the type of positive energy I’m collecting in 2018 and beyond. Ghost just acknowledged Spax’ greatness and I’m grinning. Inspirational lines for all of us and himself from Ghost. This is a great beat for a Donli hook, take note other Nigerian rappers.
Love On Weekends f/ LadiPoe & Tomi Agape
Shit. Stupendous groove. Space makes the best maximalist beats that are never chaotic. Tomi Agape has so much to sexual appeal busting out her voice, guy. Poe is using his bedroom voice, perfect for this honeymoon type song. “Love on weekends is sticky” is something I get. Whoever Ghost’s girlfriend is very lucky, I feel bad for all his exes. Tomi needs to drop an EP or tape, with mainly space beats. Tec sounds like a thirsty guy, in a good way. He’s ripping this one, on God. “Love on weekends is blatant,” haha. Tec describing a perfect weekend with the bae, awww. Haha, that fuel line reminded me of “Amaka.”
Malibu & Palmwine f/ Worlasi
Penultimate song. See ehn, don’t ever type or talk shit about Spax. If you do, I’ll find you and cut off your thumbs and lips. Those staccato horns, oh my daysss. Worlasi tearing this up. This groove will forever be futuristic. One day, we’ll talk about Tec’s, one very fateful day. “Your money hasn’t been here for long/you can’t shack us” is a heavy flex. What?! If you can sit still while this song plays, you’re a serious killer. Never listened to Worlasi, this is a great introduction, to be honest. Ghost has gotten very malleable in recent years, or maybe we’re just seeing this side of him more in recent times. This is the jam that will set the crowd off at the next Palmwine Fest. Bastard jam.
The Garden f/ Falana
Guitars have an early ’00s pop feel, could’ve been laid by the Neptunes. Percussions just changed the texture. Falana has a very radiant voice, the world needs to hear more of it. There’s something meditative about this Tec verse. Oh, I see, this song is about crossing hurdles. A Ghaddafi reference. “The fall is harder when the giant starts to tumble/ I hate to see the garden turn into a jungle.” Tec knows how to leave lines that will marinate in your mind for a while. Throwing introspection inside a vibey soundscape is nice bait and switch. Ghost is Picasso with words, fam. “True love is hard to find like a needle in hay.” This verse is a trip. Wow. By the way, can someone or something push Falana into release a debut album? It’s been 25yeats since Things Fall Together. Wistful way to end PM2, love it.
“Palmwine Music 2” 1-Listen Review Final Thoughts
Satisfaction is what happens when expectations are met. Listening to Palmwine Music 2 brought me maximum satisfaction. It’s exactly what you’d suspect Show Dem Camp would bring: great beat selection and rethreading song ideas with a fresh pen to the endpoint of higher vibrations. Where its predecessor was balled up for maximum effect in its shorter duration, PM2 is sprawled out within 10 tracks, which is the perfect length for a body of work that hinges a lot on vibes – Show Dem’s ability to self-edit is an important tool, and there’s little to not like.
During his interview on the Loose Talk Podcast last week, Poe explained how adaptable, as medium of expression, rap is. PM2 is a prime example of Poe’s gist; it’s a rap album, alright, but the music continues with the warmth and wide-reaching appeal of sophisticated Afro-pop found on its first installment. Spax, again, is the main architect of the sound on PM2, and as usual, he does a yeoman’s job, experimenting with a wide range of instruments and using his ability to colorfully stack riffs without cluttering his compositions to full effect.
In front of the mic, Tec and Ghost are trustworthy wordsmiths, and their performances on PM2 is enjoyable and can be very engaging on a handful of occasions. Usually, with so many other voices on an album this compact, primary artists can be so easily relegated to the backseat, but SDC are clearly in control throughout PM2. The guest features seemed to genuinely enjoy recording their parts, all playing to their strengths while on SDC’s turf.
The only real fear listening to this album gave me is that SDC might have milked the source of PM2 for most of its worth. That’s probably a worry for another day, but for now, the vibes on PM2 are more than welcome. Tec and Ghost made a worthy successor to Palmwine Music, Vol. 1. Please direct me to the next Palmwine music listening session, thank you.