It’s been almost a decade, but the prophecy is fulfilled and the king of the revival has returned.
Revival is the 10th track off Poe’s debut LP, Talk About Poe. It is an energetic rap record that capped off the album and stated in explicit terms that Poe wasn’t interested in rap accomplishments that don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. He’ll rather have real love from the streets that translates to cultural impact than be in rap “top fives.”
That would be defeatist sentiment coming from anyone else but because it’s Poe on a track where he displayed excellent technique that could rival the best—you know he actually meant it. The sentiment also tracks with Ladipoe’s expeditions over the years. He has remained a rapper but has dabbled in Pop and R&B fusion to create rap music for everyone, not just rap heads.
He’s also told this writer in two different interviews, that he prioritizes making great music over simply making rap anthems. Eight years later, a sonic evolution and a name change after—Ladipoe is back with an album titled after said track and years of promising that the Revival is indeed coming. And now that the revival is here, does it live up to the prophecy?
Grand piano notes open the LP on Chosen before a pulsating drum roll infused with synth-pop keys kick in. “I don’t need co-signs that I’m chosen” he raps, attesting his stance once again that rap circles don’t matter to him—which is a follow up to a similar “cosine” punchline on Revival off his last LP. The opener sets the mood aptly for Amazing to raise the roof.
It’s standard rap braggadocio antics but he manages to ground it with earnest sentiments, like reveling in the fact that his family’s life is now better off because of him and that is a universally resonant feeling. Teni is perfect recruitment for a one-two punch Afro-Pop beat like Clutch and she delivers on the chorus with smooth melodic rapping flows. Ladipoe’s verse is measured and he prioritizes cadence over energy, which compliments Teni’s catchy hook to aid sing-along prospects. This is clearly an album single.
Ema opens Many People with such breathless, electrifying energy, you’ll think he was in a sprint race with Ladipoe and he’s aiming for the upper hand. Unike the previous track where Poe fed off Teni’s energy, he contrasts Onigah’s approach here and slows things down so the beat can breathe. Ladipoe states that outside chatter is noise to him and says he’s laser focused on his own goals. Many People is one of the album’s highlights and deserves a serious push.
Maglera and Ladipoe have the right idea and energy on Motho Waka, but the beat is quite nothing-burger for an Afro-House track and the hook is also bland. Ladipoe takes a break from waxing poetic about his aspirations and indulges the poetic curves of his love interest on Compose. The synergy between him and Taves is so infectious and they go back and forth in quick succession, like pinp pong teammates in perfect rhythm. Ladipoe looks inward on Friend Indeed and aims to inspire the chase for dreams, while critiquing his loved ones for holding him back despite good intentions of holding him down.
Ladipoe stunts on his detractors and makes it pixel clear that he’s way out of their league and they live fake lives to measure up to him on No Level. The garage beat is well primed for a Pa Salieu take over and he doesn’t dissapoint. His verse is more direct and he outright calls them “broke” and bigs up his own gravitas while at it. Poe belts the title of Jò repeatedly on the chorus and it works to a tee because of the karaoke-orchestrated verses and pre-chorus. There isn’t much going on here lyrically and he’s simply having the time of his life with a woman he loves.
One More Time builds on the emotive crescendo and slows things down even further. Ladipoe is heartbroken but pleads for one more moment to savor the present, as his lover drifts even further away from him. Road Rage reroutes the soundscape back to rap and Ladipoe trades bars with Gonaboy on a cloud trap beat. Both rappers iterate that success attracts success and that’s why they’re surrounded by niggas that are just as hard and real.
The chest-thumping theatrics makes way for solemn, introspection on Old Ways, the second half of the song that fleshes out their inherent pride with some humanity. Palm Trees is a full blown song that is a deeper voyage into Ladipoe’s mind about the wholesome, life-changing experience of his child coming into his life. It’s such a jarring reminder that these rappers that wield exquisite poetry as weapons, like gods are also human too and have stories worth rooting for.
Poe makes it clear beyond reasonable doubt that he’s around for the long run and isn’t planning on leaving his woman desolate on Pull Up. It’s a good thematic sequel that acts as justified adulation of a woman who beared his child on the previous track and Jastin Martin provides a soft, feminine touch on the chorus. Deeper heads into Afro-Swing territory and Poe understands the fact that it’s debauchery antics and sensual imagery that works best on beats like these and delivers. Majeed’s chorus features a nice play of words on the title and sticks because of that.
“From underrated to undeniable” Ladipoe recounts his journey to success and the obstacles he trumped along the way because of his resolute faith and unyielding spirit on Jah. Morien prays to God on the chorus and asks for divine guidance in the journey of life. It’s the common trope of a Nigerian album ending on a prayerful, gratitude note and while it is indeed predictable, it doesn’t mean the sentiment is contrived and not earned.
NBA is a bonus track that flirts with Amapiano fusion and Ladipoe raps loosely about the good life and staying intentionally removed from bad energy. Ayo Maff serves up a repetitive hook, but there is a certain charm to it, as with most of his choruses and it’s a nice note to end the album on.
Ladipoe’s Revival is a solid LP that doesn’t shy away from deep character introspection and vulnerable emotions—all the while still packing enough charismatic and defiant charm you’ll want in a great rap record. Is the music enough to disrupt the status quo and trigger a revival though? It remains to be seen. All we got now is the music and the music is good.
Final Verdict:
Sonic Cohesion: 1.2/2
Expansive Production: 1.3/2
Songwriting: 1.8/2
Delivery: 1.8/2
Track Sequencing: 1.2/2
Total: 7.3/10
