There is a particular kind of amapiano beat that sounds like it needs a hypeman on it, and that was my first thought listening to “CHIDO Bounce,” the opening track on Chido Bankz’s Standing Ovation. The Nigerian producer, whose real name is Chinedu Odion, delivers five instrumentals on the project, exploring different sides of amapiano and house music.
“CHIDO Bounce” starts with heavy drums, bass and some interesting brass sounds. It has that familiar amapiano rhythm that makes you want to dance, and I could easily imagine a hypeman jumping on the beat at a party, calling out to the crowd and getting everyone excited. The drums are particularly enjoyable, especially with how they work alongside the bass.
The party continues with “Kiss,” which features a lovely trumpet melody over heavy drums and bass. This reminded me of walking into a club on a Friday night, with the DJ already playing some good music and everyone having a good time. The trumpet adds a different feeling to the instrumental, and I like how it comes through without getting lost in the drums.
“Power” is where things get a little more intense. It begins with what sounds like sirens, followed by heavy drums and a darker amapiano rhythm. There is something quite dramatic about the introduction, almost like the beginning of an action scene. I enjoyed the heavier sound on this track, and I think it would work particularly well in a club late at night when the energy is already high.
Then comes “Stanky Leg,” which brings a more playful sound. The track combines African percussion, piano and brass with a bouncy rhythm that makes it difficult to sit still. The title itself already suggests dancing, and the music doesn’t disappoint in that regard. I can imagine people trying out different dance steps to this, especially with the way the percussion moves. The piano also adds a nice melody that makes the song more enjoyable.
The project closes with “Yesterday,” which has a calmer feeling compared to the previous tracks. The drums, percussion, piano and brass are still present, but the arrangement is softer and more reflective. After four songs that sound made for the dance floor, I quite enjoyed this change. It reminded me of that moment after a good night out when you’re heading home and thinking about how much fun you had.
What I enjoyed about Standing Ovation is the energy Chido Bankz brings to the music, particularly on “CHIDO Bounce,” “Kiss” and “Power.” Although the songs are mostly built around amapiano, the different melodies and percussion patterns give them their own personalities.
I would especially love to hear a hypeman or vocalist work with some of these instrumentals. “CHIDO Bounce” and “Power” already sound like the kind of beats that could get a crowd excited, and with the right collaboration, they could become even more interesting.
Listen to “Standing Ovation” Here
