BY IKENNA OBIOHA
The split between Mr. P and Rudeboy is old news now. But ever since they went their separate ways, both siblings have individually been releasing new materials. Adding to Rudeboy’s discography, recently released a new single Double Double featuring rappers Olamide and Phyno. Its release was followed up with a nuptial-themed video.
On Double Double, love is the concept that guides the lyrics. The singer sings about his love for his admired, promising to show her warm affection and make sacrifices where necessary.
Rudeboy’s latest offering is an upbeat highlife/ afro pop sound that exploits rhythmic flows from Phyno’s Fada Fada which was released in 2016. Although, structured to mirror the sonic essence of Fada Fada, both tracks have their origin rooted in musical works of the legendary highlife performer, Osita Osadebe.
Phyno’s reincarnation of Osadebe’s sound on Fada Fada was done with an artistic approach that reflects the original concept Osadebe had, but goes further with tweaks of pop that appeal to contemporary music lovers. Double Double assumes same pattern; however with less gusto that is sure to drag it into the path of oblivion.
The concept employed by Unlimited LA for the video’s direction doesn’t only portray wedding rites, it goes further to merge cultural differences, and this is where Olamide comes in. Just like he maintained synergy with Phyno on Fada Fada, Olamide blends seamlessly into the mix of Double Double. The switch from the Igbo vernacular – as rendered by Phyno and Rudeboy – to Yoruba didn’t necessarily cause a glitch; it felt familiar.
A show of energetic ‘atiliogu’ dancers donned in fiery attires fully paints the cultural peculiarities ascribed to the Igbo tribe at weddings. As mentioned earlier, Olamide’s presence and contributions on the song holds a deeper meaning, and this is revealed when tribal dancers from the western regions of Nigeria emerge to take centre stage during his own verse. Promoting unity, the direction reveals an inter tribal wedding between an Igbo and a Yoruba couple, thus going further to promote coexistence between various tribes in the country through marriage.
Fans of Rudeboy anticipating his breakout or rather, his comeback hit single as a solo act since the schism occurred between the pair would have to exercise more patience, as he didn’t exactly strike gold with this effort. Although not a bad track, it surely falls within the sub-par region where heavily rotated songs reside.
