Reekado Banks  OTR Vol. 2’ EP propel on commercial viability [Review]

From a large pile, ‘Options’ featuring Parker Ighile and ‘Need More’ featuring Kida Kudz are just two incredible records, which curiously eluded mainstream attention. Soon after, the singer went down an uncertain path: first, he got unfairly demeaned by Burna Boy, in a public Twitter moment.

Despite Wizkid’s public rebuke – also a sad moment of public twerk for endorsement on the part of the Grammy winner, as he postponed his Made In Lagos release in the wake of #EndSARS – he released ‘Omo Olomo,’ a subpar and slightly aged track.

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He then released Off The Record EP, a quite shabby, forgettable, and unimpressive outing.

Like clockwork, Reekado was back with quality collaborations like ‘You Dey Mad’ with Attifaya, ‘My Chargie’ alongside Teejay & Lord Afrixana, and ‘Raise Your Hand’ featuring Nomcebo Zikode and Pheelz. 

He then crowned it with the buzzing single, ‘Ozumba Mbadiwe,’ a commemorative commentary around the Lekki tollgate massacre and life on Lagos Island.

He sings that “When if you think say you be giant, you be giant for your pocket…” and sealed the song’s fate.

While the record is obviously a nod to Nigeria’s flailing and questionable status as the cliche ‘Giant of Africa,’ some people have argued that it could be a belated reply to Burna Boy.

From the opening record, the stellar R&B number ‘Pulling Up,’ it was clear that Banks had returned with an instant improvement on the lackluster ‘Off The Record.’