Prince Charming does not attend a Redeemed Church | Featured Artiste: S.E.R.M.O.N
Labels:
Church,
Diaspora,
Gold Help Owen,
Music,
Relationships,
SERMON
If you're a Single Christian Nigerian living outside Nigeria (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc) who has ever voiced out a desire to meet other eligible single Nigerians, you've more than likely been told this (or something similar):
Your turn: What advice would you give the people in this position? (NOTE: This is the story of many Nigerian professionals living abroad).
S.E.R.M.O.N is one of those artistes I did not find on my own. He actually found me, and reached out to me via this blog.
He invited me to listen to his track, "Ra Baba" featured here today, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised for three reasons: (1) The song was a collaboration between him and one of the earliest artistes featured on this blog, Gold Help Owen; (2) It was (and still is) definitely worth listening to; and (3) I got to see Gold Help Owen flex his Yoruba muscles ... lyrically speaking, of course! Now, you can listen to the track and judge for yourself:
Likes: There is something about the hook (This party is started, And you are all invited) that makes you want to keep repeating it. At least, that has been my own experience. With the combination of beats, the song arrangement is okay. It definitely does not fall into the boring category. Each of the two artistes, S.E.R.M.O.N and Gold Help Owen, understands his role in the song and showcases his own personal style without trying to outshine or outdo the other person. In other words, they display a good working relationship as far as this track is concerned. I liked the song arrangement, not just with the vocals, but the instrumentals (Take note of the piano briefly in the intro). The lyrics actually match the style of this song, i.e. the lyrics refer to a 'party' and this track sounds like a 'party-track.' I like the interplay of pidgin, English and Yoruba as well.
Dislikes: Inasmuch as I liked the collabo, I have to say that the rap was not what it could have been. It definitely needs more work. Both artistes seemed to stumble on the lyrics at various points in the song, and that was a major distraction because it kept the song from flowing smoothly in those moments. Do I need to mention the auto-tune? Yes, it could have been completely dropped from the song as it did not enhance the song at all. There were also some odd gaps in the middle of the song that made it seem like they were just trying to "kill time" on the track. Eliminating those spots would have reduced the total time on this track and probably brought it under 4 minutes. That would have been a plus. The songwriting was simple, and I have this under the dislike category because given the beats they were working with, they had a chance to be more innovative with the songwriting. They did not take that extra step, and that made the song just plateau rather than rising to the next level.
Recommendations: (1) Improve the delivery of the rap (S.E.R.M.O.N's part) and the verses (Gold Help Owen's part) (2) Eliminate repitition of artistes' names in the middle and other "gap-fillers." This will reduce the time on the track (3) Take the songwriting up a notch, and be more creative with it.
If you would like to learn more about S.E.R.M.O.N, here is some more information on him:
"Ehn, Google the nearest Redeemed Church and find your way there now!"
[Image Credit] |
By Redeemed Church, I am of course referring to one of the many parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I have chosen to use this as an example because it is hands down the most popular church with Nigerian roots, outside Nigeria. In larger cities, there are several RCCG parishes in each city. But this is not about Redeemed Churches.
By referring you to a RCCG parish, the presumption is that Nigerians converge in Nigerian churches. That is true to a certain extent. But I have found out that not all Nigerians can attend these churches. Plus, why should that be the only option? There are many others who prefer to attend integrated churches, i.e. churches that welcome people from different nationalities.
However, integrated churches are almost non-existent if you live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Not only will you probably be the only black person for miles, but the only other African you meet (if you are even lucky enough) might be married. With children. So the question arises: If you are a single Nigerian man or woman looking to hook up with another Nigerian (or African, for that matter), what do you do? In other words, what are your options? In no particular order, here are the contenders:
- Throw yourself on the floor screaming: 'Which kain bad luck be dis?' at the top of your lungs while you can hear your neighbors running around frantically trying to dial "911" because (and I quote) "The guy next door has gone bonkers!"
- Go back to Nigeria to find "the bone of your bones." This one get plenty comma and question mark. Especially if you are a woman going back for this purpose.
- Go the Online Dating Route. Match.com, eHarmony.com. You know ... Those dating websites.
- Consider dating a non-Nigerian, and that includes another African, or an American of any race.
Which option did I leave out? Oya, add your own.
Featured Artiste: S.E.R.M.O.N
S.E.R.M.O.N is one of those artistes I did not find on my own. He actually found me, and reached out to me via this blog.
S.E.RM.O.N / Twitter |
THE REVIEW
Likes: There is something about the hook (This party is started, And you are all invited) that makes you want to keep repeating it. At least, that has been my own experience. With the combination of beats, the song arrangement is okay. It definitely does not fall into the boring category. Each of the two artistes, S.E.R.M.O.N and Gold Help Owen, understands his role in the song and showcases his own personal style without trying to outshine or outdo the other person. In other words, they display a good working relationship as far as this track is concerned. I liked the song arrangement, not just with the vocals, but the instrumentals (Take note of the piano briefly in the intro). The lyrics actually match the style of this song, i.e. the lyrics refer to a 'party' and this track sounds like a 'party-track.' I like the interplay of pidgin, English and Yoruba as well.
Dislikes: Inasmuch as I liked the collabo, I have to say that the rap was not what it could have been. It definitely needs more work. Both artistes seemed to stumble on the lyrics at various points in the song, and that was a major distraction because it kept the song from flowing smoothly in those moments. Do I need to mention the auto-tune? Yes, it could have been completely dropped from the song as it did not enhance the song at all. There were also some odd gaps in the middle of the song that made it seem like they were just trying to "kill time" on the track. Eliminating those spots would have reduced the total time on this track and probably brought it under 4 minutes. That would have been a plus. The songwriting was simple, and I have this under the dislike category because given the beats they were working with, they had a chance to be more innovative with the songwriting. They did not take that extra step, and that made the song just plateau rather than rising to the next level.
Recommendations: (1) Improve the delivery of the rap (S.E.R.M.O.N's part) and the verses (Gold Help Owen's part) (2) Eliminate repitition of artistes' names in the middle and other "gap-fillers." This will reduce the time on the track (3) Take the songwriting up a notch, and be more creative with it.
If you would like to learn more about S.E.R.M.O.N, here is some more information on him:
Artiste's Stage Name: S.E.R.M.O.N
Spiritually Energized Rap Music Outreaching Nations
Artiste's Real Name: Ayodele Lawal
Listen to more tracks: ReverbNation | Sound Cloud
Have a great week!
RCCG? In 2012? Abegi that is so 2011 (lol)
Now the trend has returned to good old fashioned... going to wedding. Especially in Houston. When a Nigerian weds, there is sure to be some fellow Nigerian hot blood at that wedding.
Take for instance the wedding I attended last weekend. Nigerian couple. The man doctor, the woman nurse. (let's just fashee the sisi's issue cos I'm a woman interested in men but I'm not looking to marry yet o lol)
So the man being a doctor obviously has a lot of 'doctor friends' (kaching kaching) any single lady is obviously hearing wedding bells ringing by now.
Come wedding now... see assorted meat... sorry I mean upon arrival... look at the array of fine young well to do Nigerian SINGLE men.
It is the perfect option... GO TO A WEDDING!
Ofcourse don't go and be that desperate sisi that has been looking for a husband for the past 5 years and thereby takes it upon herself to prance about the reception hall every five minutes in a short purple boob dress in order to get 'chose'... aimlessly. And even condescend to not only dancing to all the Olisadebe Afrobeats but also singing along to it (how you take know the lyrics sef?)
lwkm...................Nollywood reinvented is right. best place to catch all the young bachelors is at a wedding.
i like the song
Lmao. Oh lawd, Nollywood reinvented has killed me o
It is indeed the story of many, and that is part of the reason business is booming for Nigerian and other African Chruches here :)
My suggestion is free your mind, check out other nationalities and races. Try online dating. If you're introverted, as your home people for an arrange. But look before you leap!
Wow...I am ROFL on this one. Open up the door for all Tom, Emeka and Marcel to meet you at the church, wedding and on the bus.
Check out the world...there are good men everywhere. LOL!
Really? I never heard about this o. Maybe its because I reside in Nigeria
Till date I am still grateful to God for how I met my fiance. It was a miracle. I do say if I had come to NZ without a fiance, I'd be so gutted, confused and perhaps perplexed but God didn't like any of those for me; He sorted me out way before I arrived. God is good oh! lol
Anyway, I attend a RCCG church here in NZ and to some extent, I quite agree. haha
- LDP
LMAO!!! at nollywood reinvented
Nollywood Reinvented: Hmm ... May we not find ourselves in such a situation. Of course, attending weddings makes sense, if you live in a city where there are lots of Nigerians. But for those living in small towns, with few or no Nigerians, that is not an option.
Luciano: Glad you liked the song. Yes NR is right, but it does not apply to everyone, especially those living in small towns.
Toinlicious: Yes, that scenario was funny!
Myne: You're right on that "business-booming" part. It is very true. There is an endless supply of single women in Nigerian churches (even in African-American churches). The men? Not so much.
The last bit of advice about looking before you leap is very true. At the end of the day, you have to make an informed choice, and it pays to do your homework before jumping in.
AdeOla: LOL at Tom, Emeka and Marcel. You're right though: there are good men everywhere. Keep your options open.
Atilola: Maybe, but now you know. Consider yourself informed :-)
LDP: Let me get this right: So, you came here to gloat, abi?! *smh*
However, you acknowledged that what I said was true. So, what's the way forward?
Sugarspring: Funny scenario, right?
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