Artiste Jesse Jagz

Album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come

Features Lindsey, Brymo, Wizkid & 9ice

Producers Jesse Jagz, Kid Konnect, Samklef, Shady, Phaze Hop & Guilty Beatz

Running Time 01:20:44

Record Label Jagz Nation (2013)

Ever since Mr. Jargo announced his migration from ”˜Chocolate City` to ”˜Jagz Nation` guarded by two lions; we have been anticipating the album he promised like it was the pathway to salvation and the producer did not disappoint us thankfully”¦running naked is now understandable as Jesse Jagz has unleashed his musical brilliance packaged in a sophomore album titled ”˜Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come` on an unsuspecting audience. Housing 18 tracks (including an intro and skit) and boasting guests like Wizkid, Lindsey, Brymo and 9ice; Jesse Jagz has magnificently grown and evolved and shows this as he takes the music into a deeper realm compared to his debut offering ”˜Jag of All Tradez`. Although it might be too soon to tag the LP using the word ”˜classic`, we can confidently use it`s synonym ”˜tour de force` and crown Jesse Jagz the hottest mainstream MC in Nigeria at the moment. ”˜Thy Nation Come` in one word? Revolutionary!

Digest our track-to-track review and familiarize yourself with the album`s hottest points:

1. Intro: The 1:36 seconds intro sounds strange, heavy, raga-ish, solid, and strong and sets the mood for a mind-blowing musical adventure.
2. Burning Bush (In Memory of Hadiza Aboki): Opening the album properly with an emotive yet inspiring piano chord before transcending into the rich instrumentation, ”˜Burning Bush` is dedicated to Hadiza Aboki. The former afro-pop act bares his vulnerability as he sings lyrics like; ”˜Early in the morning, when she feeling lonely, she say Jaga pray for me, Keep my enemies away from me”¦`, the depth of this number can hardly be over- exaggerated.
3. Bed of Roses: A hustler`s prayer? A clean hip-hop cut! Affirming the fact that his rapping skills are over-looked, Jesse continues engineering this musical garden (Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come) with ”˜Bed of Roses`.
4. Desire: Already proving that he is a musical chameleon, Jagz forges deeper into the raga genre with the inspiring and oriental influenced ”˜Desire`. Perfectly fitting into the musical identity of the LP; Jesse wails, ”˜Jah protect me when the evil man come and me don`t have a gun`”¦and after the superb guitar riff at the middle of the track he continues with ”˜everyman will run away, if day never came and no sun again and we only got the moon to stay`. ”˜Desire` might be mistakenly for a gospel number by virtue of the momentous message.
5. Where You At?: Jesse Jagz wears his ”˜Jag of all Tradez` skin while trying to retain his lyrical depth on the banging yet tiring fifth track. Targeted at the clubs, dance-floors and behind-closed-doors, ”˜Where You At?` might not pack the punch but it is a pretty decent offering.
6. Mamacita: Just like its predecessor Jesse confesses his libidinous wants on the magical fusion of rap, raga and pop christened ”˜Mamacita`. Brilliantly divided into two; the erotic part and the section where Jesse excretes hot un-sexual rap bars, the complex track is one of the Nation`s focal points.
7. Sex & Scotch: Unlike ”˜Mamacita` and ”˜Where You At?` Jesse holds nothing back ”˜Sex & Scotch`. The track title or ”˜Bestial & Boozed-up` (like we like to call it) says it all; ”˜S&S` may not be about chains and whips however its carnal content maybe be censored as being not suitable for individuals under 21 in some states.
8. God on the Mic: Ibn Abaga has his Kanye West moment with ”˜God on the Mic`. Digest these lines – ”˜Hurled from the sky like a discus, A god has fallen from Olympus, Dethroned from high, Thrown from the sky”¦formed from the remnants of Optimus Prime, In the darkness words formed in his mind-blind, Double edged sword state of rhyme, so a nigga got resourceful with his time”¦`, Jagz serves a jaw-dropping song worthy of the ovation.
9. International: Jesse brags about his flow on ”˜International`.
10. Steady Going: Rapping obviously one of his strengths, Jesse flexes this muscle again on ”˜Steady Going`. Stellar hip-hop production solely sold this number, then adding the brilliance of Jesse.
11. Jargo (Feat. 9ice): Jesse enlists the iconic 9ice to deliver one of his best hooks in recent times on ”˜Jargo`. Drawing inspiration from Chinese music mostly Taoist music and Yayue and Yoruba indigenous music, the emperor of Jagz Nation assisted by 9ice tell(s) an epic tale. Jargo is a testimony that 9ice still has the X-factor and can make a massive comeback if the cards are played right.
12. Pedal to the Floor: Jesse soars as usual on another deep rap number.
13. Sativa Skit: A slight hilarious skit where Jesse is being interrogated by officers over ”˜a little green`.
14. Sativa (feat. Lindsey): Arguably celebrating the world`s most popular herb is ”˜Sativa`. Project fame finalist and seasoned vocalist Lindsey joins the Rastafarian movement by employing her soothing vocals and the leader Jagz rants on moving instrumentation.
15. After Party (feat. Brymo): Brymo brings his signature voice to join his former label mate in the new nation and the result is ”˜After Party`. We cannot say we are screaming about the breezy collaboration still the track has some high points; for instance Jesse still keeps the lyrical content on check – Locked up niggas found the key that’s a line in reference to their Chocolate City departure, then Brymo`s captivating chorus. We love this nation!
16. Redemption: The project`s haunting lead single is intoxicating as lead singles get. Despite announcing the organic sound the album possess, the game-changing ”˜Redemption` reassured followers of Jesse Jagz that his sophomore album would be worth the wait.
17. Bad Girl (feat. Wizkid): We are gladdened that Star Boy Wizkid finally decided to challenge himself lyrically and soulfully when called upon by Jesse Jagz. ”˜Bad Girl` is a bad banger, with a steamy hook credited to Wiz and Jesse leading the way we did not expect any less.
18. Selassie: Saved the last for best? Selassie closes the musical journey in grand style. Kudos to the brains behind the arrangement of ”˜Selassie`, the production and especially the refined background vocalist who drove the song home towards the final seconds of the album; before it changes to the hidden ”˜outro` which is very similar to the intro. We would kill to see this number served live.