LAGOS SHUFFLE: The Rhythmic Heart of The City

Lagos Shuffle is the evocative, vibrant, and chaotic essence of Lagos captured in sound. At once a movement and a state of mind, it embodies the energy, hustle, and determination of a city that never sleeps. 

Lagos Shuffle, Ibejii’s (coming) album, is a distinctive 10-track masterpiece, inspired by Lagos’ rich musical heritage, blending afrobeat, highlife, and jazzy grooves to celebrate the city’s urban grit and creative brilliance. 

Each track is a story named after an area of Lagos, weaving the spirit of its people and culture into a tapestry of rhythm and resilience.

In the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, a reunited nation turned to the high-energy vibrance of highlife music to recover from the drumbeat of conflict.  Now, with the world reeling from the long effects of COVID, economic upheavals, and political cynicism, Lagos Shuffle invites listeners to revisit the joyous, arpeggiated rhythms of highlife as a balm for the soul – metaphor for survival, for progress, for never-say-die.

Track by Track Review

Makoko

Opening with the vibrant tapestry of Makoko, the album sets the tone with heavy percussion, jubilant horns, and soulful guitars.   Makoko is a celebration of resilience, capturing a Lagos spirit that finds rhythm even in struggle. The song embodies hope, beauty, and triumph — turning neglect and hopelessness into a wombolo beat that echoes the buried seed determined to flourish. Makoko is more than music; it is a celebration of the Lagos spirit -a dance of a people who dream, live, and thrive against the odds.

Dosunmu

Dosunmu is a soulful afro highlife anthem that beats with the sufficiency of blackness, urging listeners to embrace their roots with pride. Anchored by deep basslines, spirited percussions, and playful flutes, the song is a celebratory call to self-acceptance. Its rhythm is infectious, its tone uplifting, weaving messages of identity and authenticity into a soundscape as rich and vibrant as African culture itself. Dosunmu is a joyous reminder to shed borrowed ideals and wear blackness boldly.

Pen Cinema

With groovy basslines, vibrant percussions, and melodic guitars, Pen Cinema is a soulful afro highlife groove that celebrates forbidden love.  Hovering where North meets West, the track weaves a tale of defiance and devotion, blending the warmth of tradition with the daring spirit of love that crosses divides. The sound flows like a gentle embrace, capturing the sweetness of a love too strong for rules, unapologetically navigating the boundaries of culture and expectation.

Idi Araba

Idi Araba is a vibrant afro pop masterpiece that radiates the grandeur and flair of Naija women in their full owambe glory. Lively synths, bold horns, pulsating percussions, and rhythmic guitars create a soundscape that celebrates their peacock elegance as they glide into parties adorned in dazzling aso-ebi and towering gele. It is playful yet regal, capturing every deliberate sway of the hips and the undeniable confidence that turns heads.  Idi Araba is a love letter to our women – their unmatched grace, unapologetic style, and their vibrant presence on the party scene.

Ita Faaji

Lively and carefree, Ita Faaji radiates the warmth of an evening at a Lagos beer parlour. Bold horns, pulsating percussions, and soulful guitars come together in a groove that drowns out life’s struggles with laughter, music, and camaraderie. The song invites listeners to celebrate the moment, relish simple joys, and find community in the hustle. Ita Faaji captures the spirit of communal joy – a balm for weary hearts.

Adekunle

Adekunle dazzles with its afro retro sound, celebrating princely self-assurance and unapologetic self-love. With rhythmic guitars, bold horns, and vibrant percussions, the track exudes the regal confidence of the African king. It is rich and flamboyant, a musical strut that commands admiration and respect.  Adekunle is an anthem of self-belief, a rhythmic declaration of power and grace, celebrating the joy of fully embracing one’s royal essence.

Eko Wenjele

A pulsating afro pop anthem, Eko Wenjele captures the unrelenting spirit of Lagos. Synths, heavy percussions, bold horns, and electric guitars come together in a sound that celebrates survival and reinvention. The track vibrates with the energy of a city where dreams are forged in chaos; where resilience becomes a way of life.  Eko Wenjele is the soul of Lagos – tough, triumphant, and unapologetically alive.

Detty December

Detty December is a sultry Afro-jazzy groove that captures the electric, carefree spirit of a Lagos December night. Smoky horns, deep basslines, and pulsating percussions weave a hypnotic rhythm that pulses with life and possibility. It’s a celebration of the season’s magic, where moonlight, music, and revelry blur the boundaries of time. Bold, passionate, and intoxicating, Detty December invites listeners to embrace the moment, lose themselves in the vibe, and live for the thrill of now.

Jibowu

Jibowu is a soulful afro groove that celebrates radical acceptance and unapologetic love. Driven by smooth synths, bold horns, and vibrant percussions, the track radiates warmth and defiance in equal measure. It’s a melody of no judgment and pure authenticity, embracing individuality in all its forms.  Jibowu is a rhythmic celebration of loving without limits, rejecting societal norms for genuine, unfiltered connection.

Ijaiye

Closing the album on a jubilant note, Ijaiye is a high-energy afro highlife anthem bursting with life. Spirited flutes, rhythmic guitars, and infectious percussions create a groove that insists on joy, no matter the circumstances. Ijaiye is a call to dance through struggles, celebrate every moment, and embrace life boldly. It’s a melodic reminder of the resilience and rhythm that define the Nigerian spirit.

Conclusion

Lagos Shuffle is more than an album; it’s the essence of Lagos in sound. From resilience and survival to unapologetic joy and self-assurance, Ibejii crafts a musical journey that celebrates the many faces of the city and its people. With its rich instrumentation, dynamic grooves, and poignant storytelling, Lagos Shuffle is a rhythmic heartbeat that invites us all to dance, dream, and thrive. It’s Lagos in its purest form -vibrant, chaotic, and unapologetically alive.

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