Back in 2015, Demilade Akin-Alabi released his debut project, a three track EP tagged Carpe Diem which suggested the initial signs of a transformation from the Afrobeat act behind his earlier tracks. He soon followed up by rebranding himself as Genio and making his first appearance as such on Santi’s Suzie’s Funeral EP. Finally, on Virtuoso, Bambino comes full circle in his evolution from Retro Dee into a creative who seems to be in tune with himself.
As a creative, patience cannot be understated. We live in a world where the fans desire for material supersedes all else however, Bambino’s patience pays off as anyone with an ear can tell from Virtuoso. On the 11 track project, Genio masterfully taps Lady Donli, Zilla Zilla, Odunsi, King Zamir, DJ Yin, Omagzz, Santi, AYLØ and Esojay Luciano as he touches on everything from encounters only people in love understand to his everyday struggles as an artist on the come-up in Lagos with a blend of RnB and Trap infused music. Over six years since his coming into the public’s eye with tracks like Sere, Virtuoso is the first time we ever hear a full length project from the Monster Boy and its worth every second we waited for it.
If one track was a mandatory listen off Virtuoso, it would be What You Like for the expert incorporation of a couple of lines of Osita Iheme’s that Twitter have made more popular than ever. Above all else, the track shows how sampling can be employed to show the creativity of the artist and the impact that social media plays on the creative process for many.
Listen below and let us know what you think.