PsychoYP is one of the very few artists who can boast of having a swell year. Despite the restrictions the pandemic caused, the fresh prince of Nigerian rap coasted through the year, sharing his time, space, talent, and infectious energy with a great number of colleagues on different singles. The highlight of the year was his joint EP with Azanti, an eight-tracker titled YP & Azanti, Vol. 1 that provided us with a different taste of Afropop and Trap hybrids. Still riding the wave, he returns slinky, secure, and sturdy on National Anthem, a two-part single reminiscent of the earlier released Pay Up and Foolish (Outstanding Dinner).
Opening single, Flex And Ball, is a rhyme and reason fest as it builds on PsychoYP’s solid Trap hybrid foundation, Lyta’s infectious cadence, and Azanti’s mellow delivery that bridges the former’s enthralling entrance with the rest of the single. Big Fish’s percussion-driven instrumental is the perfect backdrop for their slew of self-assured words, serving as an apt anthem for those brimming with confidence, and pace-setter for the following single, Attention.
The Lames produced Attention banks on PsychoYP’s volatile flow, Oxlade’s smooth articulation of whatever subject, and Merry-Lynn’s even silkier signature output. Despite their fundamental differences, there’s a uniformity of taste and intent on Attention, making the trio a formidable one.