Genre – Afrobeat, Afro-Hip-Hop, Dance-hall
Being an amazing artist is one, knowing how to also Produce and master songs makes you a multi-talented package ready and set to soar high. This is the story of Akinsola Oluwaseyi Aina known as Shols who started producing from the comfort of his bedroom as a secondary school student for a group who worked with the likes of Ajebutter, Adey amongst others.
Moving to the UK wasn’t just to pursue higher education, but to establish himself as a full blown Artist known for fusing the sound engraved from his roots to the hard rap sound introduced to him in the UK.
Shols was introduced to the music world when his debut solo project “Afrotherapy” was released late last year and included features like Buju, JoulesDaKid amongst others which are more than impressive and ambition-filled for a debut project.
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7 Months later, Shols returns with a sophomore project that has portrayed not only growth as a recording artist but also as a producer and Sound engineer – And he has done it with lesser features.
“Hybrid“, like it’s title entails, shows how Shols is one of the most versatile and talented emerging artists the world has to offer right now. Hybrid varies in sound spectrum as it ranges from AfroRnB to new school Afropop and even to Hip-Hop – All recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Shols. Staggering Talent.
While it is a project inspired by the two worlds Shols has Lived in, it is in no way contradictory as the Singer/Rapper properly fuses Afrobeats and UK Grime bops to result in soothing music that could work for the soul and double as freedom anthems for the body.
Track-By-Track Review of “Hybrid“
Shols lives a luxurious life as he starts off the project on a vibrant note with a mid-tempo tune “Good Living” which is a proper afrobeats groove with delayed bass, a catchy hook, Chorus and song all round. Versatility is the stand out sell-point of Hybrid, R&B is the next genre on the agenda, mixed to perfection with Afrobeats, “Perfection” paints a picture of the perfect partner.
On “London Night Lights” featuring Mukthar, We finally get a first listen of the Rapper in Shols. Wiith The Amapiano sound reflecting further versatility in shols producing abilities, Shol raps with the rising British-Reggae technique. The bars flow is maintained on “Honey & Gold” which features rapper, Niyi on a low tempo sultry groove that gives an 80s synth vibe. The early 2010s were important times in the Afrobeats culture and Shols recognises this as he inputs the bass and kicks on “Designer” that reminisces about those times, the project closes the same way it starts – With a Vibe!
With Shols continuing on this pathway, he is set to catch the attention of the mainstream world with his numerous Abilities. He didn’t miss on Hybrid – and it is set to be just the start.
Album Talks™ 