Reviews

Portable “Anikuleti Street Don Jazzy” Album Review

Anikuleti Street Don Jazzy

Portable

  • Genre: Afrobeats
  • Date: 24 Nov, 2023
  • Content: explicit
  • Region: NGA
  • Track(s): 20
  • ℗ 2023 Zeh Nation

Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, better known by his stage name Portable, surprised fans with the release of his much awaited second studio album, “Anikuleti Street Don Jazzy,” on November 24, 2023, one year after capturing hearts with his debut album “Ika of Africa.”

This 20-track album marked the 29-year-old Afrobeats artist’s victorious comeback. Throughout the album, Portable—who is well-known for his streetwise lyrics—smoothly blends addictive rhythms and appealing melodies in trademark fashion.

“Anikuleti Street Don Jazzy,” Portable’s most recent album, has exceeded expectations and thrilled his fans by living up to the pre-release excitement. Several tracks have the trademark sound of renowned producer Don Jazzy, who creates a dynamic and engrossing listening experience with layers of orchestration and snappy beats.

Album Cover Art

Portable &Quot;Anikuleti Street Don Jazzy&Quot; Album Review, Yours Truly, Reviews, April 29, 2024

For his new album, Portable is photoshopped onto an elevator descending from the sky, like a powerful alien making a dramatic entrance. With both hands crossed over his chest, that bounce in his step, and how small everything on earth appears to him, you can tell it’ll be a successful invasion.

Tracks and Features

The daring and controversial track “Micheal Jackson,” which contrasts Portable’s own fame with that of the late pop icon, starts the album. Regardless the song’s infectious melody and unquestionable confidence, some listeners may find it offensive because the lyrics downplay Michael Jackson’s legacy. The song’s appealing choruses and upbeat production, which highlight Portable’s ability and desire, nevertheless, have a lot of potential.

“1 Billion Dollar” switches gears and sends a strong message of endurance and hope. Nigerians going through tough times are specifically addressed in the song, which nudges them to never give up on their goals of becoming wealthy. This one, for sure, is a standout track on the album, as it’s bound to resonate strongly with listeners navigating the nation’s present economic predicament.

Portable pays a moving homage to his mother in “Malo Gbegesi,” expressing his love and gratitude for her steadfast support. The song powerfully conveys the idea that a mother’s love is a divine force that molds and directs her children’s life.

“Loyalty,” one of the album’s highlight songs, strikes a chord with listeners with its moving message about the lasting value of loyalty in relationships, particularly in a culture that is struggling with a perceived lack of it. While the song acknowledges how prone humans are to making mistakes, it also reminds us that true loyalty endures despite unavoidable flaws.

“The Energy” is another excellent track on the project. With its contagious energy and lively sound, this energizing song lives up to its name and is the ideal way to start a party. Some songs, such as “Fear Women” and “Werey Onijo,” make listeners wonder if Portable is actually married. These songs, both similar in tempo, rhythm and beat, portray women as erratic and capable of both love and lying.

“Apostle” delves deeply into the life of pastors, asserting that all church funds belong to them rather than the membership. Claiming to have met several pastors at the herbalist’s place, Portable boldly declares, “No pastor is ready to go to heaven.” This thought-provoking line highlights the controversial role that certain pastors play in society, lending a layer of social criticism to the record.

Tracklist

NO TITLE TIME
1 Micheal Jackson 3:50
2 1 Billion Dollar 3:05
3 Baba Yin Tide 3:10
4 Malo Gbegesi 3:18
5 E Be Things 3:15
6 Energy 3:34
7 Loyalty 2:14
8 Orin Ogo 2:34
9 Gbabe 2:25
10 Hushpuppy 2:22
11 Omo Zeh 2:42
12 Remember 3:11
13 Mama 2:09
14 Alanu Kan 2:21
15 Ashawo 2:38
16 Goal Goal 3:09
17 Pass Away 2:43
18 Fear Woman 3:35
19 Yinmu Yinmu 2:55
20 Teramo 2:46

Album Theme

The album tracks are hilarious and cocky, reflecting Portable’s appeal, street cred, and occasional run-ins with the the police. He also addresses social concerns such as poverty and inequality, providing a unique viewpoint on life in Nigeria.

Production Credits

Don Jazzy, Big Money Beats, Xtra Pro, Tino Santa, Spiritual Beat and a number of other producers worked the album’s production.

Stream

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