The London-based Nigerian rap and hip-hop artist Paul Otasowie Ajayi, known by his stage name ‘Nito-P,’ released his debut project, an E.P. titled ‘Most Wanted,’ on July 2, 2024. The E.P. consists of five tracks that blend Afrobeats and Hip-Hop, evoking the rhythmic and vibrant styles of the 2000s that once dominated the Nigerian music industry.
The E.P. opens with the track ‘Open & Close.’ In this song, Nito-P, like many affluent and extravagant Nigerian artists, boasts of his love for women and his strong desires. The chorus, where he repeats “open and close make I enter,” reveals his intense yearning to be with a woman, though she remains unnamed. Believing that love alone is not enough to win a woman over, he further brags about his wealth and luxuries with the line “now, Maga don pay, we don dey bronzee,” a clear attempt to entice her.
This approach, according to Nito-P, works better than just professing love. Beyond its lyrical content, the track is filled with energetic rhythms that could easily ignite a club party, encouraging men and women alike to dance together.
If not carefully listened to, listeners might think that the second track, ‘Flying Higher,’ was sung by Olamide (Badoo) during his prime. Despite Nito-P citing the late legendary rapper Dagrin as his role model and inspiration, he sounds almost identical to Olamide on this track.
Like Olamide and other rap artists, Nito-P uses this track to boast about his rap flow, achievements, and his rise to prominence, dismissing media gossip with the line, “I am heading to the top, you can’t break my swag.” Here, he asserts his dominance in the rap game, embracing the culture of bragging and demanding the recognition he feels he deserves. The track is also enhanced by a well-crafted chorus.
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The third track, ‘2 Bad,’ featuring Emik J, can be interpreted as “Too Bad,” meaning “too perfect, too good, or highly competent.” In this song, Nito-P continues to flaunt his wealth and expresses his desire to spend it on a woman. He sees himself as a generous spender, especially when it comes to women. Emik J complements the song with a sonorous chorus, advocating for spending money on a woman with the lines, “I wanna rock your body, touch your body, I wanna spend my money.” Both artists not only embrace a lavish lifestyle but also promote the idea that women are treasures deserving of all life’s luxuries.
Nito-P’s rap prowess is undeniable on the fourth track, ‘All Eyez on Me,’ a title that seems to draw inspiration from 2Pac’s iconic song ‘All Eyes on Me.’ Nito-P reveals his lyrical prowess and street credibility, claiming to live the life of a gangster from the South-South region of Nigeria. He backs up his claims by sending an open message to both his audience and his rivals, demanding the respect he believes he deserves.
The E.P. ends with the fifth track, ‘Show Me Your Craze,’ featuring Henry Unik. The song has a vibe reminiscent of Oritsefemi and captures the essence of the ‘Ajegunle’ style, a sound that the streets will undoubtedly appreciate and dance to. This track is a bold exploration by Nito-P and Henry Unik, ending the E.P. on a high note.
Undoubtedly, Nito-P’s debut E.P. ‘Most Wanted’ is a successful project, despite its reliance on an older style of Hip-Hop.
While it may not appeal to a general audience, fans of these classic, rhythmic sounds will certainly enjoy it. Nito-P’s ability to confidently showcase his skills and dismiss his critics is impressive. The E.P. is undeniably a superfluous work of art.
