MOHBAD – BLESSED: A Track-by-Track Remembrance (One Year Later)
“Blessed” embodied the baritone yet soulful vocals and reflective nature that Mohbad brought to his music. Here, he dived into his personal life and shared his self-belief and stories of overcoming limitations. He maintained the hunger of a debuting boxer with something to prove, leaving everything on the table by the song’s end.
Though Mohbad himself is no longer here, his music lives on. “Blessed” remains a connection to his struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. As “Blessed” celebrates its first anniversary, we remember the late Mohbad’s captivating baritone voice. He drew listeners in with his groovy lyrics and ensured his messages stayed with you, which set him apart from his peers.
Tracklisting Breakdown
- Beast & Peace:
Our journey through “Blessed” began with “Beast & Peace,” where a drum roll production welcomed the listener into Mohbad’s world. This confident and celebratory track chronicled his success. He detailed his rise to fame, addressing his critics, highlighting the highs and lows of his journey, and expressing gratitude to his loved ones. Mohbad’s vocals swelled with appreciation, wielding bars in both Yoruba and English. - Sabi:
One of Mohbad’s core strengths was his distinctive baritone. He balanced this with crafting undeniably catchy songs. “Sabi” perfectly exemplified this. Here, he celebrated his songwriting prowess and his ability to rise above limitations. - Account Balance (feat. Zlatan):
Mohbad and Zlatan were the dynamic duo we didn’t get to experience more of. They brought energy into the street pop format. “Account Balance” departed from the mid-tempo of the previous tracks, embracing a more dance-oriented style with an amapiano log drum rhythm. - Omo Mi:
“Love your neighbor As you love yourself So I loved her the way I loved myself” “Omo Mi” expressed the feeling of being in love with someone whose energy matched yours. Mohbad celebrated love and trust in this relationship, highlighting his love interest’s ability to see beyond material possessions. - Blessing:
“Doctor want you sick/Lawyer want you in trouble/Na only thief dey pray make you dey successful” (Only a thief prays for your success)
On “Blessing,” Mohbad wore the hat of a Ghetto Gospel Prophet on blessings, he ensured that the song was as catchy as it could be while retaining the message. Blessing is a song fueled by the stubborn will to continue; to keep moving. The song is inspired by those who are burdened and suffer silently but still put one foot in front of the other every day to get to the finish line. - La Pio Pio:
The more things change, the more they remain the same. The song acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent economic struggles, which limited the average citizen. In these turbulent times, people sought solace and escape. “La Pio Pio” continues to encourage listeners to celebrate the good times, to find moments of joy and to dance their troubles away, even if it is temporary. - Ask About Me:
“Ask About Me” discussed the challenges he faced. He remained undeterred with the line “Omo Olorun Kole su mi” (meaning “God’s child cannot be brought down”). This upbeat and energetic track blended amapiano production with Mohbad’s signature baritone and choir backup vocals. The catchy horns and escalating production would have had you grooving to the rhythm. - Pariwo (feat. Bella Shmurda):
For the closing track, “Pariwo,” Mohbad united with Bella Shmurda. Together, they expressed gratitude for their artistic journey while remaining focused on their goals, undeterred by distractions. Their synergy and camaraderie shone through in this final offering.
As we celebrate the first anniversary of this EP, Mohbad’s music continues to inspire and uplift. His legacy lives on through the fans he connected with and the music that continues to move us all.
