Genre – Afrobeats, Worldwide
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Last Friday, Fast-rising Benin-bred Afrobeats star, Bryan Akhiwu, better known by his stage name Lebryan shared his debut studio album, dubbed “No Time“.
Questioned about artists he considered similar to or better still, that he got inspired by, Lebryan had this to say:
I don’t think I’m similar to anyone
Lebryan
This is not a moment of braggadocio from Lebryan, only the truth. In a music scene where upcoming acts mimick made acts, the Benin-raised act offers something different and originality is always a breath of fresh air.
Being in the music industry for a while with entrapping snippets and covers, Lebryan knew at the start of the year that the time was ripe and right for the first big step on his musical journey.
“No Time“, the debut studio project by Lebryan was promoted by two lead singles; the soul-laced laid-back ‘No Time‘ track and ‘I Do‘ featuring Jaay and Kilian Stark.
VERSATILITY is what Lebryan offered on “No Time“, he shows time and time again that he possesses the ability to slide in on any genre familiar to the wider Afrobeats genre and still deliver. Bryan himself refers to his own genre of music as “Worldwide“, a genre encompassing different traditional music styles from around the world.
He taps new act Kate Grout on “Movin’” and she ate the trappy laid back instrumentals like a veteran. A solid opener to the tape followed up by the pre-released “No Time” single, the lead single could have been better in terms of all-round execution including mixes but still gives off a vibe and adheres to the tape’s vibe-y theme.
Lebryan goes full-on afropop on the fast-paced “Slide” featuring Fabous Bobson as they combine to deliver a club banger. Versatility in full swing as Lebryan does Hip-Hop on “Flow” featuring Chudi Ifediora and he executed it properly like he was a rapper. Definitely one of the best songs off the Album. It is worth noting that over 60% of the tracks on this album had feature acts and they decently delivered. “True Love” is yet another case of a featured act coming through hot as Delight Ryan’s vocals added life to the fan favourite track.
“Complicated” and “4:45” are tracks that have got instrumentals a tad similar to Wizkid’s type beats off “Made in Lagos” and allowed Lebryan’s vocals flow seamlessly. The album ends on a soft note as “For Me” and “I Do” centring around the feminine’s acceptance.
Like most projects, Lebryan’s “No Time” has a couple points that could be worked on but that can be let off as this is just a debut tape and it definitely checks more positive boxes as Lebryan delivers a cool laid back themed album that is readily enjoyable.
Album Talks™ 