It’s always interesting seeing a genuine display of love for Africa as a whole considering Kwame Nkrumah is no longer with us and the arguments for pan-Africanism are arguably inexistent today. What’s more interesting is a show of knowledge about the continent and the inclusion of North African countries who many chastise for what they tag as a belief that they are not one of us. Suede’s Alkebulan is a glorification of the continent which brings to mind images you see on Google when you type Africa into the search box with lines like “the sun is shining” and “Africa stand up” which inspires images of South Africa’s Apartheid-era protests.
Suede who is signed to Euphonic, the music wing of Baroque Age delivers Afropop music which is a genre most of the music company’s other artists have strayed from opting instead for experimental sounds. Youthfulness however does not prevent Suede from delivering what by many standards is a decent Afropop single which at times has the inklings of Jazz music. Considering its one of his earliest efforts, Suede will get a pass on his songwriting which leaves a bit to be desired, however, Nigeria’s music scene is one which doesn’t particularly reward great songwriting as long as the music sounds good.