Chuka Obi [as DaSuKi], an all round creative released his 15-song Hip-Hop/Rap album on 11th November, 2020. He features other notable artists like Illbliss, Amaha, Kemena, Da Suspekt, Terry tha Rapman and others.
Vader decided to do a one-listen review of Coat Of Arms. So here goes…
THE RESISTANCE – The opening track starts off with a sample I’m sure I’ve heard before, I just can’t place it yet. Drums on this song are reminiscent of one of the earlier Kendrick Lamar projects. Here we have DaSuKi rapping just cos he can. Oh, here comes the hook I wasn’t expecting. Who’s that singing? Sweet sounding. Proper introductory song.
COAT OF ARMS – Ah. Major Bangz channeling his inner Just Blaze on this one. You can’t go wrong on a beat like this. Is DaSuKi calling out other rappers to set their priorities straight? He’s telling them to rap about what matters. I love the energy. Omo, you just know Ill Bliss can’t go wrong on a hook.
NEGUS – Starts with an excerpt, who’s talking? Hmm. Enjoying the bounce on DaSuKi’s bars. Early basketball & GOT references, I’m sold. “Kings & Queens are what you are”. This is a self-determination song. Okay. That excerpt again.. Tha Suspekt on the beat? Nice!
NEW ERA FELA – Afrobeat style, with the horns and all. As the title implies, DaSuKi is implying that he’s a different breed. He’s toeing the lane of revolutionaries like Fela & Che Guevara. “We no dey the same category…”
HUGO BROS & BUGA TEES – Major Bangz again picking up where he left off on the title track. DaSuKi is addressing fake people on this record with catchy one-liners. Lines that have what it takes to go viral on Twitter. Listen to find out for yourself.
SHAME – Wait, this instrumental sounds oddly familiar. Haven’t I heard MI Abaga on this beat before? Hmm. I’ll find out later. DaSuKi is calling out unfaithful parties in relationships here. Oh, it gets deeper. Now he’s calling out fake pastors. Oh he’s calling out *lips sealed*. That outro is hilarious.
WHEN BEGGARS RIDE – Omo what’s the Bini language sample on this record. I’m itching to know what it means. Is it even Bini? I’m too carried away by that hook to even listen to what the song is about. I think he’s talking about ladies who aren’t true to themselves on the first verse & guys who have the concept of enjoyment warped on the second verse. Definitely a song I’m coming back to, cos that hook… “Ovie… something something…” I love it.
YELLO – Old highlife sample. This album is full of samples, refreshing. Reminiscent of MI’s ‘Illegal Music’ series. Kanye would be proud. Okay, wait, I don’t know what DaSuKi is talking about on this song. Or, let me say I’m not interested, yet. I just know he’s telling a story. What I’m immediately swayed by is his rhyme scheme. Ah… A breath of fresh air. Intricately woven. I’m nodding my head to that rhyme scheme. I’ll get to the subject matter much later.
SKELETON KEYS – Is that Bini language being sung on the hook? Major Bangz has left his Just Blaze state of mind. He’s come home. I’m enjoying this bounce. A skeleton key is a key that opens many doors. So DaSuKi here is hoping every hustler out in the streets finds their own skeleton keys. I really like that hook.
IN DUE TIME – This hook reminds me of Nnenna’s hook on Modenine’s ‘Cry’. It puts me in the same mindstate. The rough translation of the hook is “Have patience, everything will be alright”. This song is a bar fest. Clever lines here and there. Rap heads will enjoy this one.
ALOOTER CONTINUA – I can already tell what this song is going to be about, given the wordplay on the title. Oh, another Bini sample. There are lots of Benin samples on this album. Coincidence? I think not. Ah, an excerpt from NDDC boss Pondei’s theatrics where he “collapsed”. Dasuki is all guns blazing on this record, calling out corrupt politicians & musicians alike. “Honorable Minister, off your mic..” will forever be funny.
WAILER – “Na feel at home na im dey make visitor spoil remote.” Wasn’t that Erigga? That’s got to be Suspekt on the hook. This might be my favorite song on the album. “Nothing wey John Snow no go see for Winterfell.” Ah, I love it. I love it. After I’m done with this review, I’ll have this song on replay for the rest of the day. Tha Suspekt call meeeeeee.
JUDGEMENT DAY – That sample of ‘Osondu’ by Celestine Ukwu had me reminiscing on simpler days where I’d watch my dad & his kinsmen banter & share light-hearted jokes. Anyways, I digress. What was that transition? Who made this beat? Something right out of an action movie. Ah, Clay delivers supremely as always. No surprises here. DaSuKi reminding everyone of the day of reckoning on this one. Chilling.
ANIKULAPO – This sample got me already. Wow. Talking drums. I love it. Wait, DaSuKi is trapping? DaSuKi is trapping? DaSuKi call meeeeeee. Okay, okay. Oya Joe Spazm in the building. Nothing more fun that two OGs trading bars without a care in the world. Bouncy & enjoyable.
THE RENAISSANCE – Ah, I’m here for my boy Kemena, step aside DaSuKi. This beat is chilling. DaSuKi dropping those cold bars. That switch. Interesting. “Long live King Victor Uwaifo.” Again, another reference to the Benin kingdom & her people. Does it stop at the cover art of this album? Or is there a deeper meaning? I guess we’d have to wait for DaSuKi to break that down himself.
A thoroughly enjoyable album. Bars delivered in a fashion exclusive to true students of the Hip-Hop art form. There’s something for everyone on this project. Very audacious too, might I say. A lot of things said on this project requires guts. DaSuKi has shown that he has lots of it. Coat Of Arms was worth the wait. Take a bow, DaSuKi.
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