Femi Jr’s “PEACE & LOVE” is a lyrical, sonical and thematically fitted masterpiece.
Femi Jr has always been an artist with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling through music, as he tells personal stories inspired by his everyday experiences that gives us an outlook into his life with a view to inform his listener and help guide them. From his debut “Quarter Life Crisis” to “Part Time Rapper” and “Certified Stories“, Femi Jr has always ensured the filled his projects with a vivid reflection of moments in his personal evolution making for a music that is a blend of his introspective reflections and full of vibrant anthems, resonating with authenticity that invites listeners into his world.
Boasting four EPs in his discography, Femi Jr turns things up with the release of his debut album titled “PEACE & LOVE“. The album features ten tracks where Femi Jr extensively showcases his unique and evolving sound, with features from Lefty, Jasmine, and Pekeys.
From a young age, I sought acceptance from the world, only to realize that the most important acceptance comes from within. This project is born out of that revelation, as I delved deeper into understanding myself, unlocking my full potential, and ultimately finding peace.
Femi Jr on his creative direction towards the project and the conceptual idea that birthed the project.
Peace, as a theme, weaves through the entire project, representing the serenity that comes with self-acceptance and self-awareness. But this journey isn’t just about peace; it’s also about love. Love in its literal sense and as a metaphor for various aspects of life I’ve encountered over the past three years. Even in the darkest times, through conflicts and challenges, I’ve learned to hold onto a “Peace & Love” perspective.
“PEACE & LOVE” captures a wide range of emotions—both the highs and lows, the light and the dark. It’s a testament to the power of maintaining a positive outlook, no matter the circumstances. This project is for anyone who’s ever struggled with self-acceptance, faced conflicts, or sought inner peace. Through these tracks, I hope to share my story and inspire others to find their own peace and love
The project opens with “PEACE” and it begins with a voice over of his perspective about what peace means to him which is quite clear from his conceptual explanation of the project. The voice over transitions into the record smoothly keeping the underlying smooth and dreamy keys with additions of trap synths to provide a base for Femi Jr to air his thoughts. On the fast paced production, he strides diligently rapping on the pressures of growing older, the challenges of adulthood and how he kept himself sane in the period that almost got him depressed but above all finding a coping mechanism to deal with all.
“MEDITATE” is the refined version of the opener because it elevates every aspect of the performance we heard on the intro. Doubling down on a similar theme, he opens up more on his life struggles, the inevitable stress and how he’s finding strengths through it, relying on himself to get through. While he does acknowledge the help of drugs on aiding him through, it still boils down to him to make personal efforts to see it past the stage.
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On “OLÚWA LÓN SHOLA” things take a little turn as he becomes more optimistic and hopeful by acknowledging the presence of the divine in his progress and wins. “Omo, na only God be the answer” hints at the artist’s clear vision of trusting in God to help him keep his peace and take him further to his life’s purpose. Even while trusting God, he still retains his stubborn and gritty nature when he sings “In this life of sin, I’ll follow my dreams until it has turned to lifestyle / the day that I quit or I fall on my knees, they should gather and call me a bastard“.
“1 LIFE” features Pekeys who is the first guest addition and slots in on the hook. The record segues in smoothly from the previous record and retain likewise an hopeful centered theme. Pekeys adds extra melodic layers on the chorus on the production rhythm that very much mimics that of Pop as much as it incorporates an of Hip-Hop bounce. Pekeys makes heartfelt prayers that cannons like a conversation with God in anticipation of his success, Femi Jr also opens up on the struggles of his music journey and how he has kept going waiting for that big, long awaited success to manifest fully.
On “BLAME SKINNY (INTERLUDE)” titled in honor of his producer “WavySkinny” who helmed eight out of ten productions on this project. The record stems out of a request from his producer asking him to make a record rapping all through with no breaks or hooks and rightfully so he makes a braggadocious and chest thumping declarations of how he is the best not only from where he comes from but with his peers from other regions. “There’s a crown for the taking, let’s place it on my head / I’m never actually fazed when I face another peer“. Even at that, he still puts his Ibadan roots on his head, a place of upbringing for him and his producer. Also, he touches on how his impending success will be extraordinary considering how he’s pushed it from his roots to his current stage.
The interlude transcends into the next track, “NOT TODAY“. Femi Jr retains his little of the brag from the previous record mixing with a rare whimsy side of him in warding off any form of negativity and blemishes that threatens to take his peace. Although he recognizes the potential threats, he blurts out warnings in response that he is not ready for anything that stresses him while also promising to deal with it appropriately when it does come.
“OMASHE” was released as one of the lead singles to the project. The single which has garnered widespread acclaim since its release, has helped to usher in the project with its buzz and raised anticipations ahead of its intended release. Here, he sends out a powerful message of pride and resilience to his critics who are quick to downplay his efforts to his craft, not knowing the work put in behind the scenes. While “OMASHE” in its native Yoruba language translates to a pitiable expression, the production also carries much similar atmosphere and Femi Jr nails it on the head with warnings and lets them know he will keep focusing on what he does best; honing his craft.
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When we get to “PAIN“, he delves into more of his emotional struggles exploring different facets of heartache and disappointments he has had to shoulder. Particularly, he centers on strains in his personal relationship and his ongoing pursuit of success on this record. On the melancholic yet upbeat production, Femi Jr leads proceedings on the emotional hook where he asks weighty questions he is obviously unable to answer and seeks answers. Jasmine inputs into the record smoothly, coloring Femi Jr’s hook and a tightly fitted verse that stays on theme and provides a much needed breather to the record.
“COUNT THE VOTES” takes a quick dive into the state of the country’s economy and continuous social issues that each citizen faces daily. The title although takes a swipe at the government calling for devotions to their responsibility to make the country better for living and improve survival. Femi Jr holds the long verses together with a simple melodic hook that just about reminds us of how he has improved in that aspect while still holding his lyrical edge on his verse.
“LOVE” is the first single released from the project and provides a poignant conclusion to the project. The record delves into the story of finding the perfect one to love in the aftermath of several past heart breaks and relationships that didn’t go well. Despite the timing, taking a leap to fall in love proves to be a great experience for the artist and contributes to his overall peace. Conceptually, this record closes the project on a high note, signifying the progression from peace on the opener and to love on the close. It is also a symbolic homage to the title of the project where he finds elements of what he seeks for in plentiful amounts.
“PEACE & LOVE” is an incredible project that sees Femi Jr diving deep into theme of peace and love in various forms, fueled by strong personal experiences that are laid out with sharp edged lyricism and just about conveys the right massage with the required emotions and some of the finest productions to boot. The project works, not only because of Femi Jr’s gritty lyricism and newly polished melodic prowess on hooks, but also due to his ability to focus on a theme and thoroughly explore it. His sonic maturity shines on each track thanks to working with his close knitted producer whom they have somehow formed an unbeatable partnership destined to explore more ideas that spotlights their creativity individually and as a duo.
Thus, the project is a testament to his potential and a promising indication of what the future holds for him as he continues to push boundaries and aim for the top in the NG Hip-Hop scene.
[LISTEN]: PEACE & LOVE by Femi Jr.
