Uncharted territory most times provides avenues for artistic genius, especially and when you are puffing on that good kush, the perceived opportunity for greatness could be even more evident. Fresh off leaving Chocolate City, Jagz Nation Vol 1: Thine Nation Cometh brings a weed concocted, reggae infused album. Other than the excruciating voice over “its Jesse Jagz Nation Baby” this, for the most part works well. This album is one of the more conscious of 2013, but you’ve gotta listen hard to get it!
A student of the game, Jagz is arguably one of the best rappers in Africa; coming a close second to his sibling M.I. On Jagz Nation Vol 1: Thine Nation Cometh, Jesse Jagz is able let his flow do the talking. The album is a self-reflective compilation of melodies with 18 tracks of softer beats and a melo tone; allowing the listener to just reflect. Unlike party hits like “Wetin Dey” off Jagz’s first album, this album is; in actual fact, the inverse.
I believe artists’ have a duty to show improved and impart knowledge; “Burning Bush” does just that. The song starts really spineless with piano keys and then the beat drops. The organs bellow on the background of the hook and let you instantly connect. You could literally listen to the soundtrack alone. Then Jagz goes in on em! spitting consciously about life as we know it, he deftly mixes politics, religion and relationships. On verse two he spits: a lot of people burning bush/living in the city and some are living in the bush/desire is the root/and evil is the fruit/see a lot of lies can be hidden in the truth/like how a politician takes possession of the youth/take the election booth and they burn it to the root/when the military shoot/no confession in the booth….U know my hope is in Zion/Cos kingdom suffereth violence/can you hear the silence..
“Bed of Roses” has a 90’s vibe, speaking to hard work and going against the grain. It questions the proverbial rat race we all face. Life ain’t a bed of roses/if you really grind you’ll know this/listen to me/nothing in this life comes easily… sunup sundown we grinding/just to rock them suits with the purple lining/try to make/that money/see clearly/make money.
Soulful track “Mamacita” starts out like a cool joint you would bump with your chick riding shotgun until… Jagz unleashes the BEAST of his facebook flow, ladies poking and S&it. On here, he goes HAM and truly makes me proud of how far we’ve come as Nigerian hip-hop artists. Jagz also lets us into his split with Chocolate City “I took a big risk like i ‘am holding a clip/but even though the wind blow/my position is stiff/got my spirit.”
The collaborations “Bad Girl” with Wizkid and “Jargo” with 9ice do not disappoint and pretty much dissipate every other feature on the album.
Jagz Nation Vol 1:Thine Nation Cometh with flaws, its quite evident the album does not have the commradery of the Chololate City crew as compared to Jag of All Tradez. It has a very somber tone truly defining the mood for the listener. This is also evident in the drop from nine features on Jag of All Tradez compared to four on this album. Like every sophomore album, there is a loss of hunger compared the latter, songs like “Sex & Scotch” and “God on the Mic” and “International” fall flat from a production and flow perspective. The album also does not seem to have a vision and tracks seem misplaced or overdone.
All in all, I commend Jagz for stepping out of his comfort zone. The fake they ain’t hear that resilient sh&t!
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