Following months of gracing our soundwaves with a litany of singles to pave the way for what he refers to as an Afrotape – essentially an Afro and Hip-hop hybrid, Straffitti, one of our industry’s most versatile artists, finally shares the anticipated six-track EP titled Straff From Nigeria today, a seamless combination and transitioning of Afro-beats, Afro-soul, Afro-fusion, and Hip hop. The project also doubles as a mirror of his eccentric style, making it a refreshing listening experience that underlines the valuable quality of underdogs in the industry from start to finish.
Necessary, the first track of the project is a rhythmic cut that highlights the struggles, creatives like Straffitti, trying to find their footing in the industry, deal with. Being the EP’s introductory track, it extensively sheds light on the importance of persistence in the dog eat dog world. With no time to waste, Straffiti switches his mood and that of the entire project with the following heartbreak tale, Aaliyah. Not only do we get to witness his softer side but also, his versatility as a musician unrestricted by sight, sound, and stories.
Shanawole and Lepa are instant bops that find Straffitti bending to the demands of the mainstream by utilizing South Africa’s acclaimed Amapiano sound albeit with a unique approach.
Straffitti has carved out a niche from the malleable Afropop sound while maintaining his image as a nonconformist and with a project like Straff From Nigeria on which he dazzles despite sharing the spotlight with strong acts like Zlatan, Ice Prince, and Buju among others, he indicates his strong grip on success with a likely spot at the top.