The Martian Has Arrived, IBK Spaceshipboi

"Spaceshipboi, never under estimate that boy . . "

Last month, February 2014, vocalist Emuwawon Ibukun popularly known as IBK Spaceshipboi, released a visual audio album for his "I Come In Peace" album which was released late last year.

IBK Spaceshipboi maybe Nigerian but brace yourselves, he does not come forth with sounds of Afrobeat or typical genres that other Nigerian artists tend to work with. His new album made up of 8 tracks features genres such as gospel, jazz, rap and hip hop with a touch or two of traditional African instruments and sounds. The album features collaborations with Bez, Dami Kalejaiye, Olalekan Maxwell, Stan Iyke and TaiChy.

"He is supernatural always"

The "Spaceship Anthem", which is the first track on the visual album introduces you to who the Spaceshipboi is. "Light In Me" featuring TaiChy is a gospel rap track. Now, there are not that many doing this; I actually don't know of any Nigerian artist who has put out a gospel hip hop track with such style. My favourite line in  this song is "No disrespect to Biggie, that's a little smalls, cause homie I ride with the most glorious".

One of my best songs on the album is "Worship Medley" featuring Dami Kalejaiye. As you can guess, it's another gospel song. It's a really smooth song. I have never heard Yoruba language sound so sweet. This song actually brings tears to my eyes (every single time I listen to it). Dami is such a marvellous singer (with an amazing personality). I would really like to see this song performed live.

IBK showcases his personality in his various songs. His song "Loving You" has this Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke swing to it. I listened to the a cappella mix of this song before the original, I much prefer the a cappella mix of it.


I like how IBK switches from gospel to singing about love then about food and change. If you are in a public place don't listen to "This Time", because you'll find yourself clapping and shouting "This Time"! (This happened to me on the tram the other day). This song is such a Jazzy record. You can't help but snap your fingers to this.

"I'm on mission, changing the world . . . "

I particularly like the sound of the first instrument that that plays on "The Mission". Not sure if it's a wood block or xylophone. This song featuring Olalekan Maxwell has an influence of traditional Yoruba folk music. IBK is soldier of change, spreading the message of love and courage. I've seen him perform at a couple of Bez's concerts, I'm glad to see he featured Bez on "Sticks and Stones. The song also features Stan Iyke. This song is dedicated to the ladies, it's clearly a contradiction to songs like "Birthday Song" by 2 Chainz and "Bandz a Make Her Dance" by Juicy J. "Baby keeping your body well na so . . .  Don't let nobody tell you, you are as good as the sex you are bringing".  Ladies, you don't need to be a hoe to make it. Three men have made a song about it.

And the album comes to an end with "The Heaven Experience". The name of the song already describes it, such angelic sounds and celestial harmony. This song also brings tears to my eyes. This is a song for the masters, such powerful music!

IBK's "I Come In Peace" album is lyrically rich with lovely music. It's fun, joyful and entertaining. The Spaceshipboi's voice is definitely out of this world! I love his voice. I can't sing (except for food).

I must commend IBK Spaceshipboi for being daring and stepping out of the commercial bullish*t music bandwagon. His "I Come In Peace" album is available on iTunes and Spinlet.

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In Love With The Super Sun

Hearing his voice and the lyrics to the song Zucidaya and More you makes me want to fall in love. *sigh. Have you ever heard a song or a voice that just told you listen, relax, its ok to fall in love.


See me talking about love. Ha ha ha. This post was meant to be an open letter to Bez to please make his album Super Sun available on compact disc. Bros made it available only online for a while. Anyways, I finally got my Super Sun album almost a month ago (18/09/11) so all is well in the land of the Sun. Been playing this album non-stop, I swear I heard my dad singing along to Super Sun. My CD  had better not scratch.

"The 15 track Super Sun album was entirely produced by the enigmatic Cobhams Asuquo, with the exception of the track “I Know” co-produced by phenom, IBK. This album captures the rare and un-distilled essence of Bez."

Yes, I got it autographed too!

On the October 15th at the Life House, I watched Bez and his band perform live at the Felebration celebration. All I can say is I forgive him for me getting the album late.


It was a serious jam session. I've only seen a couple of Nigerian artist perform live and most of them are not that great. I've got to give it to BEZ. He's amazing. I love him! (Groupie love) Ha ha ha.


Have you ever watched a live band perform? Not an owambe band. A proper one. Its amazing. Bez's band was amazing, their synergy was explosive. All the sounds of the different instruments being played at the same time was . . .  I don't know how to describe it, magic to my ears? The next time you go watch a live band perform, take time out to watch each player; the singer/vocalist, the bassist, the other guitar players, the drummer, the violinist, etc one at a time, then listen to the combination of their sounds.


After witnessing such spectacular performance last Saturday, I don't blame any girl who falls for a guy in a band. I didn't know who to keep my eyes on during the performance. Bez was entertaining with his soothing voice and dance steps (dude did alanta with his guitar). His drummer is a BEAST. I think his name is Samuel! Homie was driving everyone in the crowd crazy. Then the other guitar player "White Boy" was insane!! At one point I couldn't take my eyes off his electric blue guitar. The sounds coming from it were hypnotic. 

In need of some easy listening music, feel good music, music for the soul? I would recommend you some BEZ. My favourite songs from Bez are; Stop Pretending, Super Sun, Zuchidaya, Technically, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, I absolutely love More you and I almost forgot That Stupid Song.

If you've never heard Bez, I suggest you do, better still, go see him live if you can. Check out Bez's Website for more information about him.

Off to write my application to become a part-time member of Bez's band. I can't sing, so I'm applying to play the tambourine or rattle for them. ;-)

R

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