Inspired by the grit of street pop, hip hop’s stylistic avant-garde, and personal convictions and ideology, Kiing Lu’s tape celebrates a lifestyle of momentum, of self belief, of hustle and hope. Lending the voices of diverse talents that includes Skales, Vector, Odumodu Blvck, Ria Sean, Alpha Ojini, Layydoe, and many others, Kiing Lu paints a coherent portrait of an everyday militant- dogged, fearless and passionate about survival.
Opening with Layydoe’s stunning monologue, defining the tape’s ideology, the project’s ‘Intro’ sets the tone for what’s to follow. Skales performs the album’s next song ‘Look at Me’. Here, the subject is self belief and a hustler’s never say die mentality. The album’s third composition expands on the theme of the former. ‘No Apologies’, performed by Killertunez and Odumodu Blvck is a defiant and prophetic piece. It is a serenade of the light at the end of the tunnel.
‘Jaiye Everyday’ is the project’s fourth track. The album’s precursor, here Dapo Tuburna and Alpha Ojini wax lyrical about the need to stay ahead of the curve and remember to live it up. Dremo and Eugy will follow with ‘Emasheshe’, captivating the danger of deterring a militant on a mission. Jeriq and Alpha P’s ‘How’ is a brilliant piece of self-reflection and unshakable resolve in the face of challenges. Layydoe will make another appearance alongside Lyandra on ‘Pay Me’.
As the tape begins to draw its curtains, Vector, Bryan the Mansah, and Idyl sing about the strength in the collective in ‘Pull Up’. Ria Sean and Rowlene are all about their money in the album’s penultimate song ‘So Paid’. In its closer, Marvio, Sjxy, and Odunsi are solemn in supplication as they ask the powers that be for the good life on ‘Money Dreams’
“Militant Mindset seeks to disrupt hip hop perception and consumption in Africa. We are exploring the intersection between pop music and Hiphop influences” Kiing Lu comments on the tape’s inspiration and vision; “Sonically, we are democratizing hip-hop, by synthesizing cross-cultural influences into
relatable, pop fusions that stay on the pulse”
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