DURELLA – KING OF THE ZANGA

Naija’s Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)

A strong review of Naija albums
19/07/2009 | Oyebowale ‘oyeakd’ Akideinde http://vocaldrops.blogspot.com/

GENRE: Hip Hop

LABEL: TC Records
Year of release: 2009

1. Intro
2. Merciful God
3. Enu O Se
4. Gunners Anthem
5. Smash It
6. Queen Of My Zanga
7. Shayo
8. Wiskolowiska
9. In The Zanga
10.Take It Off
11.On The Floor
12.Queen Of My Zanga (remix)
13.?????

Using the Google Maps to find ZANGA leads us to Mushin where another Zangalese gem has
been unearthed. Throughout 2008, Durella dominated the Naija music circuit and generated the
biggest buzz for an artist without a released album. Four massive singles in 2008, being
crowned the Winner of the MTV base Advance Warning Artist in December, 2008 and armed
with a 5 million Naira prize money, the stage was set for Oluwadamilare Okunlaja a.k.a
DURELLA to blow up like Ikeja Cantonment. Even a continuous comparison (ENEMIES!)
between him & D Banj only gave Durella more attention and as 2009 commenced, everyone
was hollering “2 Gbaski!” This is the album review of KING OF THE ZANGA

After a not so impressive “Intro”, Durella starts his album with the best way to start everything,
giving thanks to his Creator in “Merciful God” which samples the chorus of KSA’s old song with
the same title. The outstanding heavy-hitting “Enu O Se”, my favourite track on the album, is
next and has the recipe to make even old folks mime the words “Enu O Se, Durella" while
dancing in their wheel chairs. He spits his signature line in the 2 nd verse “..,that’s why they call
me Omo Yapayaski, Durella Miskiyaski - 2 Baski” . It’s a perfectly moulded track that fuses with
his energetic flow.

He then declares himself a Gunners for Life Fan on “Gunners Anthem” which while not trying
to be biased (ManUtd till I Die), was below par and the only thing that appealed to me was the
lovely beat produced by the talented Dr Frabs. Surely all Gunner Fans will have a contrary view
to mine and will keep bumping this track after every Arsenal Win this season. “Smash It”
combines Durella’s raw energy with well-produced beats and destructive hooks, an average
track at best and is certainly an album filler.
The smooth “Queen of My Zanga” is an okay track. It’s like a diamond in the rough because it’s
the only slow R & B track on this high-octane packed album. The 1st verse shows us Durella’s
toasting skills:
Girl you know the reason why I want you to be my zanga queen / You too baski and like
so you be like ice cream / You the one I want to give my love to, I am telling you / You
too beautiful and at the same time you are so wonderful / I dey appreciate you, I dey gba
dun you from your head to your toe / I dey feel so right when you are right beside me
Though lyrically weak, it’s still got a melodic tune that ladies can slowly and sexily twist to in the
comfort of their bedrooms. Things get better from here and we get hit by “Shayo”, a party track
that in my own opinion has the Best Original Video done by any Nigerian Till Date. With spitz
like “I dey Shayo with ma Paddy, my baby/ e no affect anybody na my money”, the track will
make you higher than even the drink you’re sipping. ID Cabasa’s hard-beating fast tempo salsa-
like beats will definitely make you get your swagger (or alanta) on.

Durella became a household name with his 1st single “Wiskolo Wiska” and the reason is evident
from the moment the track starts, it shows a hungry MC eager to make a name quickly so as to
fill up one of the few empty spots left in Naija’s Already Overpopulated Hip-hop scene. Durella
drops witty rhymes with a laid back flow to OJB’s top-notch production. Durella comes lyrically
correct on this track.

ID Cabasa clearly makes you all bounce on the track “In the Zanga” where Durella tells a story
about he came through and how all kinds of trips can be found in the ZANGA. “Take It Off” is a
very suggestive track about his women should take it all off. It is a track for the clubs and bars.
“On the Floor” disappoints because with a suggestive title that defines the track as a floor ripper
in the Clubs, it fails to deliver on material. The beats for this are very elementary and sound like
your typical Naija beats making it sound all grimey and ghetto-ish but still lacks the Durella
Energy. What’s an album without a Crunked-out beat? “Queen of The Zanga(remix)” outshines
the original in terms of lyrics and delivery. It’s another gem on the album.

With 11 tracks, The King of the Zanga delivers a good debut album produced by four very
talented Nigerians – Cash 11, Dr Frabs, ID Cabasa & OJB. Aside from the Powerful Producers
on board, Durella pays a lot of attention to track structures and even when not everything fits,
nothing sounds as if it was thrown in as a filler track.

Outstanding Tracks: Enu O Se, Shayo, Queen of The Zanga(remix), Wiskolo Wiska
Disappointing Tracks: On The Floor, Take It Off, Gunner’s Anthem, Smash It

VOCAL DROPS Rating System

VERSATILITY: 7/10
OPINION (Personal): 6/10
CREATIVITY: 8/10
ACCEPTANCE: 7/10
LYRICS: 6/10
DELIVERY: 7/10
RHYTHM: 7/10
ORIGINALITY: 6/10
PRODUCTION: 8/10
SKIP FACTOR: 6/10

THE VERDICT: 6.8/10

Enemies may continue to hate on him calling him a D Banj Wannabe but after dropping hit after
hit from his debut album with the same consistency, the self proclaimed King of the Zanga
clearly stands out as an Original Act because of his catchy hooks, mad slangs and energetic
delivery on his tracks. While Durella lacks the lyrical prowess and mic presence of an MI or
Fela (R.I.P), he has wedged himself into Naija’s Hip-Hop class by keeping it in the Zanga. A 2
Gbaski effort!

BUY this album & SUPPORT THE ARTIST