So let me get this straight, D’Banj leaves Mo’ Hits to join Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label, with the ensuing brouhaha leading to what appears to be a breakup in the relationship D’Banj had with his longtime partner/collaborator/producer, Don Jazzy.
His respect for Kanye West, his new “boss” (as D’Banj describes him) is so immense that in the video for his new single, ‘Oliver Twist‘ , D’Banj left out every single member of the Mo’ Hits family, including Don Jazzy who produced the track, but ensured that not only Kanye West, but other acts on the G.O.O.D Music label appeared, including Big Sean, Pusha T and producer Hit Boy.
Fast forward a few weeks later, and Kanye releases the first single from forthcoming (and highly anticipated) G.O.O.D Music compilation, ’Mercy‘ (Lamborghini Murciélago), and D’Banj is nowhere to be found on it, while some of the cats featured in the Oliver Twist video (Big Sean and Pusha T to be specific) are allowed to unleash a lyrical tsunami. Listen Below:
| <![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRA_AQ-Azo4" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRA_AQ-Azo4</a>]]> |
Which leads me to my current observation, what happened to poor D’Banj at least getting a reciprocal cameo on this song? I mean, after bogarting his video, it’s the least boss man Yeezy could do for his African connect, no?
Or maybe in Kanye’s mind, it’s ok to use D’Banj’s popularity as a segue into the afro-pop market for G.O.O.D music, but using G.O.O.D music as a segue for D’Banj’s entry into the U.S Hip-Hop market, is a no no?
Oh well.
Having gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about “Mercy” itself. On this unarguably very catchy (Souther Rap + Dancehall infused) track, Kanye West truly unleashes the beast. Produced by Kanye protege, ‘Lifted’ , and giving Big Sean, Pusha T and non G.O.O.D music, but Def Jam artist 2 Chainz permission to engage in a rhyming free for all, what emerges is pure fire.
Big Sean’s bars are for the strip-club, continuing where his Dance (A$$) single left off, Pusha T’s bars are about his exotic car collection, while Mr. West himself goes into full braggadocio mode baiting less successful Emcees about how their taste level isn’t at his waist level, how he had Def Jam give him $5o million not to quit and how his women make their women look like Precious. 2 Chainz closes the song out talking about his black (like Akon) diamond chain, Polo, Louis Vuitton backpack, expensive weed and foreign women.
Incidentally, if this song is a preview of things to come on the G.O.O.D Music compilation album, it’s bound to be a mega hit. Meanwhile, sit back, relax, listen and enjoy.
What do you think, should D’Banj have been allowed to at least sing something on this joint in addition to the late , great Fuzzy Jones? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
