Bnxn (pronounced Benson), formerly known as Buju has released his sophomore EP-Bad Since ’97. The Afro-fusion singer and songwriter has been preparing his fans for the release of his 7-song EP for a while now. Bnxn released his first EP, Sorry I’m Late, on October 27th, 2021. He has featured on a lot of major projects this year, most recently on The Guy album by The Guy fka MI Abaga. The wait is finally over as the sophomore project is now available to stream across all platforms.
“Right now, I’m in my bag, lyrically and musically”. “The storytelling is 100 percent better now—the delivery, the flow, and everything. It is all well-put-together and the sound now is so mature, so confident. That is the stage I’m playing at.”
BNXN, Apple Music Interview
bad since ’97 Tracklist and credits
The EP features 3 heavyweights in the Nigerian music industry: Wizkid, Olamide, and Wande Coal. The producers on this project didn’t come to play as well. We can see top producers TSB, Juls, Steph, and Blaize beats on the project. Bnxn is indeed here to outdo himself on this new project.
This project portrays themes like confidence, braggadocio, gratitude, love and affection, pain from past toxic relationships, and emotional rollercoasters.
bad since ’97…Braggadocio and Self-confidence
Man, I’ve been bad since ’97, I never cared ’bout the devil
Bnxn fka Buju
Since ’17, I’ve been smoking hot like a kettle
I’m not gonna lie, this is one of the hardest lyrical intros I’ve heard amongst the new projects out now. Bnxn in this intro announces his acclaimed position as the best among his peers. He professes his love for his musical career and how much effort he has put into it. Nonetheless, he declares his intentions to bring more into the game, as evident in the hook “The level I dey Burj Khalifa, Eshi ma ri ran wo (You all shall still see), my nigga”. It is also not news to the public how much the singer Bnxn blows his own trumpet on his social media platforms and, from time to time, comes for those who compare him to others. His most recent exchanges with Ruger, a colleague in the industry is enough proof of this.
Bad Man wicked
On this track, Bnxn narrates his first experience in London, the first city he visited outside Nigeria. This is an experience that he feels has shaped his music career as well. He narrates how he went from being a new person in the city to having his own show right there in the city, the growth process has been surreal. He links up with popular UK producer, TSB for this track.
Bnxn on this track be like…
Many ways ft wizkid
First of all, Juls needs to be calming down, phew! The percussion and arrangement on this song are just so perfect from start to finish, with a soft Caribbean-like patterned beat. The soft vocals from Bnxn and Baba Zion do justice to this song as well. Wizkid’s delivery is a tad shallow on this track, but the strong beat more than makes up for it.
They take turns to express many ways they would love to have body conversations with their lovers. However, you should try playing this one for your partner(s). This song should pass as a love language on its own.
Personally, this is my fav on the project.
Kenkele ft Wande Coal- jaiye Foreign
Wande Coal comes through on the hook with finely textured vocals as usual, as Bnxn delivers a rhyme-filled verse on this track. They both narrate how life is feeling good and at its best. Also, Bnxn narrates how Sapa (Serious Absence of Purchasing Ability) no longer has a hold on him. He no longer purchases his loud for 2k. Hallelujah meje (x7) to that.
However, this track received some negative criticisms when it first dropped as a single before the EP. But there is this power songs carry when listened to as part of a project. The sync with other songs tend to help create a cohesive feeling and emotions the artist tries to pass across.
“In my mind” expresses Pain from toxic relationships
This track explains the hurt the singer feels from a one-sided toxic relationship. Although this track feels personal, it also portrays the realities of many romantic relationships today, especially among celebrities. The partners sometimes might just be in their lives to benefit from their fame and wealth. Bnxn regrets handing his heart to the toxic partner on this song
“Like I dodged a bullet
One could have thought you’re a goddess, you’re just Anubis
Here’s who you remind me of, remember Judas
You never cared bout the love, I wish I knew this”
Those are some deep words coming from a place of hurt.
gratitude is a must
On the track Modupe (I am grateful) featuring Olamide, Bnxn expresses gratitude to God for making him a man of substance and for elevating him. In addition to this, Olamide adds a rap verse to eulogize God and praise him for his abilities. He also attributes the power to control situations and turn lives around to the supremacy of God.
Talking about gratitude, Bnxn took out time to appreciate Olamide on his Twitter page yesterday for contributing to his project. See below
— Benson (@BNXN) August 25, 2022
Loose Emotions
“Loose emotions” is an expression of the rollercoaster of emotions Bnxn feels from moving on from a toxic relationship. It is a sequel to “In my mind” which speaks about the confrontation and realization of the toxicity of the relationship. Loose Emotions is a song that explains the singer moving on to a better mental space and partner. At first listen, you might not realize this song is a heartbreak song. The beat pattern makes it a bop. This reminds me of the legendary 1er (premiere) Gaou song by Magic systems and also Love is wicked by Brick & Lace.
Closing remarks about Bnxn’s Bad since ’97 EP
One thing I love about this project apart from the production is the well-laid-out themes and how they are easily distinguishable on each track. You get to feel the emotions the singer wants you to feel in each song.
Bad since ’97 does not offer anything too far from what we got on Sorry I’m late. It’s a good project but I believe that a few picks from each project would have made the perfect Bnxn project.
Listen to Bad Since ’97 here
Read more reviews like this on our Exclusive column