By Ade Adeayo

In an industry that constantly evolves, only a few artists possess the ability to leave an indelible mark on the scene. One such talent is Oladips, whose ingenuity and lyrical prowess have firmly positioned him as a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria hip-hop.

His latest offering, “She Tell Me Say,” produced by the exceptionally gifted Emmanuel Ariyo, professionally known as RIYO, is a testament to his artistic excellence and the creative synergy between rapper and producer. 

“She Tell Me Say” is a bold, no-chorus hip-hop record which sees Oladips rap through the song’s 3:30-minute duration. Nigerian hip-hop has gone through phases of collapse and revival but Oladips’ performance indicates that the RIYO-produced record leans on the latter end of the spectrum. The simplicity of the production creates a canvas that allows Oladips to paint his own pictures through dexterous wordplay.

As the song begins, the kicks and percussion remind the listener of Kanye West’s “Good Morning”, but RIYO’s vision for the production went in another direction. More elements of the instrumentals become evident as the song wears on, but the listener is firmly immersed into the boom-bap nature of the record which pays homage to the pure, undiluted hip-hop of the 90s and early 2000s. The record’s subtle bassline adds another layer to the instrumental that allowed Oladips the room to navigate different flows, making for a convincing performance and combination from the pair. 

RIYO, the producer born Emmanuel Ariyo, connects well with Oladips on this record. The beat has a simple progression, but the kicks give it great intensity which Oladips feeds off as he laced his bars in RIYO’s production. The talented producer continues to expand his catalogue and records like this are sure to add pedigree to his list of excellent instrumentals.

“She Tell Me Say” is a testament to the talent and creativity of RIYO and Oladips. Together they’ve created a record that gives a good impression of Nigerian hip-hop at home and in the diaspora. Their connection is evident as the production set the stage for a unique rap performance. More music from the duo is sure to shake up the Nigerian music industry as we know it.