Rhythms From Africa And The Caribbean

Timaya | "Chulo Vibes" (EP)
A review of Timaya's 'Happy' featuring Machel Montano
Timaya does Afropop with a twist and that is a uniqueness that has come to be taken to be his style. Following the course of his journey through music, one he can draw from his changing environment and ventures further into himself.

It is this pattern to have his music bearing the deep imprints of his life experiences whether they be his past or his present experiences, thoughts, challenges, and hopes, and sure in a most entertaining way. Talking about a musical diary, Timaya does have his in his music, with every track being a page of it.   

It is Timaya's pattern to have his music bearing the deep imprints of his life experiences

With news of the release of ‘Happy’, anticipations came high especially since it features the Soca artist from Trinidad, Machel Montano. Machel Montano, in recent times, has risen to regional and world prominence from exporting his brand of Soca music farther away from the Caribbean islands. His tours and appearances in carnivals are well attended and trend on social media with a fiery acceptance. You get fans pleading that he extends his tours to their countries and cities.

However, it is worth mentioning that this is not the first collaboration of Machel Montano with continental African artists, and neither is it the first with Timaya. In about 2014, Machel Montano was featured in the remix of Timaya's hit track, 'Shake Your Bum Bum'. Such a sensually appealing fusion of Afrobeat with Soca the remix turned out to be.

Machel brought on his spice such as transports the listener to a carnivalesque mood. You just can't help but imagine the song being played at some carnival, not at any one of the Caribbean islands this time, but upon the white beach sands of Akassa or any one of the islands in Bayelsa, the homeland of Timaya. In 2016 Machel Montano featured Timaya in 'Better Than Them', and evidently it was an invitation of Afrobeat into the territories of Soca. It played out wonderfully. 

With news of the release of ‘Happy’, anticipations came high especially since it features the Soca artist from Trinidad, Machel Montano.

'Happy', much as is Timaya's style, is centered on the self of the individual. It is a lyrical assurance of self-worth; in-depth, honest, and confident. While Timaya directs his lyrical expression inwards, Machel Montano directs his to the listener. Could this be a subtle difference in personality or could this be an artistic tactic? Who knows?

Worthy of note is the way in which both artists deliver their lyrics in perfect synchrony with the beat which is a melodious compromise tastefully done to accommodate both artistic backgrounds. This, surely, is a testament to the fact that the best hands worked on board this track.

'Happy', much as is Timaya's style, is centered on the self of the individual. It is a lyrical assurance of self-worth.

'Happy' is the eighth track off the EP, "Chulo Vibes", released on Feb 8, 2019. It is available on digital stores and streaming platforms and is being aired on UbuntuFM Hip-Hop Radio and UbuntuFM Radio Africa.

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