First, it was rapper Xbusta who lived with the impression that he was a freestyle king, a title that was going to become a myth when musicians are called out.
At a point he realized that freestyles will never be mixed and mastered in events and no radio station would play such when regular songs are being played. He headed to the studio, and the results of that are seen in many songs that are tagged to his name. Today, the title and achievements of the Freestyle King is becoming a legend and Xbusta will no longer be excluded when artistes with good songs are called upon.
Icz Money amonst other artistes are cases of artistes who have never delivered in their songs, but will be considered a ‘hook god’ when they flow on other people’s songs.
His ability was made known in Xbusta’s shomo and at times I would always wait for that chorus because of the the way he handled it. His near barritone voice keeps you longing for the ‘Why I no go shomo…’ chorus and another place he proved what he could do was on the song ‘Lusting’ by Leeroy.
Although the song never made it to most blogs around the country, I saw a good slot on DJ mixtapes, an evidence that Zanders 107.5 FM’s Dj DCT was working with the artiste at the time the song was done.
When it was time for Icz Money to make his debut, he chose ‘Loke Loke’, a slow R&B track which never saw limelight at such.
He has never made several efforts but is nowhere close to what the talent bestowed in him can do.
This article was prompted by the fact that I have I seen this young man record in a studio and recently he was in a song with rapper, LMG in a track titled ‘Pay me my money’ where he once again delivered like a superstar not forgetting his delivering on ‘Testify’, where the same rapper featured him.
Icz Money has so far done well with rappers while on his own, he has never lived up to the talent in him.
Many music producers he has worked with will testify to this and there is rumour that the tall artiste has nothing to do with pen and paper when he is recording.
If he can do it for these rappers to deliver a wonderful track for them, why can’t they return the same favour by featuring on his track? This is one way I belief the best of Icz Money could be seen.
What a talent that has been on the low; can he look into his style of music and figure out what could change to make him live up to.
We talked about XBusta, now he is up there. Should this article spur him to do something, Nigeria as a whole will feel the kind of singer that can give a wonderful track with little or nothing.
We wish him the best.
TALENT FOCUS is a column where activities of talented artistes who are facing one challenges or another are reviewed and possible solutions suggested for them.
Can you write one for any artiste you know? Send it to otowngist@gmail.com with the subject ‘Talent Focus’
More information call Hardy on +2348038704454 or follow @hardynwa and @Otowngist on Twitter
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