Chike’s new album, The Brother’s Keeper, is a perfectly arranged story of euphoria, love, life, loss, and expectations. Indeed, a tempest of emotions. Chike teams up with producers DeeYasso, Tee-Y Mix, Killertunes, Echo the Guru, Louddaaa, and Sagzy to create this beautiful work of art. Once again, Ogaga “Ogagus” Sakpaide is the A&R of this sophomore album. Chuchu Ojekwe and Lammy Concept are not left out of the credits to this album.
The Brother’s Keeper is a reflection of life after Boo Of The Booless. Thrusted to be a beacon of hope, a lover, a carer, a provider, a friend, and a brother to those that stand behind me, and everyone around me.
Chike
Let’s take a ride through this body of work. Don’t forget to get your earphones plugged in as you journey through these waves of emotions.
The Brother’s Keeper- a Thematic Review
Euphoria and Ecstasy
Oftentimes, we get slow songs as the opening tracks on albums. But the first song on this album, On the Moon, starts with an Amapiano beat, and we all know how spiritual Amapiano is. It takes you beyond the borders of your physical confines into an imaginative realm where you find yourself swaying to the arrangements and every single bit of the beat. Little wonder the singer feels like touching the moon. Exactly what Amapiano can make you feel. Surprisingly, Chike flows perfectly well on this track, blessing it with some sort of euphoric feeling. A perfect way to start the album if you ask me.
Love and Affection
What is a Chike album without love songs? That’s like rain without water, or a fire without smoke. His previous album had songs for special love occasions like weddings, proposals, and even heartbreak anniversaries. However, the singer’s ability to communicate these emotions effectively is something to commend. Track 2 to 6 on The Brother’s Keeper is an embodiment and expression of love and affection to varying degrees. This spans across love for a partner, passion, and even continent.
On the second track, Chike declares how much he cares for his lover, how he iss ready to marry her and can’t wait for them to bear beautiful twins or triplets. Winner, and Hard to Find ft. Flavour also fall into this category. We all love “love”, don’t we? These songs are an appreciation of genuine love and friendship found in companionship. Save them for your wedding ceremonies and anniversaries.
Is he trying to figure out how he fell so hard for his lover on Spell? Only one thought comes to mind below. Not my words though.
The tambourine-led soft patterned instrumentation on this track helps to create a thought-provoking emotion as intended. The singer questions how he has managed to fall in love so hard. He blames it on a spell because there is no other reasonable explanation. If this track doesn’t make you think of your partner and how special they make you feel, then you must be alone in the relationship (Yes, I said it). You should take Chike’s last lines on this song as advice ASAP.
Viewing from another perspective, the emotions expressed on Spell can also refer to the need to end something that one might be struggling with. We all must have found ourselves in situations where we want to quit a particular act but end up going back to it.
Pan-African Love
Who said love is limited to romantic partnerships and friendships only? Chike teams up with Azana on My Africa to declare his love for Africa. Showering her with praises and adoration, they both personify the beautiful continent of greatness and rich culture as their lover.
The Brother’s Keeper is also a Tale of Toxic Love and insecurities
Always look out for the red flags. Bad and Zamo tell a story of toxic love. Chike somehow narrates the realities of an abusive toxic relationship in Bad. More often than not, it takes personal resolve to leave such situations, regardless of countless pieces of advice. Zamo is a question of the uncertainty of one’s position in their significant other’s life. The “what ifs” that create the need for constant reassurance and can sometimes lead to insecurity. This is also evident in the track You Deserve ft Ycee. Ycee also came in hot on this RnB track, as usual.
Freedom and Self Awareness
Pour me a drink is a prequel to You deserve, a letter of weariness to life, love, and everything. Being The Brother’s Keeper comes with a huge price and at the expense of your freedom and happiness. The tired singer declares how weary his soul feels and just wants to shut it all down by drowning it all in a cup of drink. This is easily a go-to track for when you feel overwhelmed. Enough amplifies the idea of self-confidence and worth. A message to anyone in an abusive relationship with what they seem to love. This is not only limited to romantic relationships, but also unhealthy friendships, jobs, or situations that drain you of your self-confidence and freedom. Moving on encourages you to walk away from such unhealthy, unfavorable conditions that weigh you down.
I’m not talking to my best friend (For nobody)
Chike, Moving On.
I’m not staying up all night (For nobody)
No more messing with my mind (For nobody)
Life, Loss, and Uncertainty of the Future.
Good things is an assurance and hope for the future. Good things come to those who wait and are patient as Chike advises. Chike sings about betrayal and envy on God Only Knows. Backstabbing, envy, jealousy, and betrayals somehow are expected especially in your journey to stardom. God only knows who’s true and not.
My first listen to Nothing less, Nothing more got me in my feelings immediately. The first line hits so close to home. This track speaks about loss and grief. Anyone dealing with this right now will give anything to see their loved ones again. I wish you all the love and strength you need. They say time heals the pain but the scar never leaves. On the other hand, this loss can also refer to broken friendships and relationships. Somehow, you wish you could share those beautiful memories again. Stay strong.
However, he sings about the uncertainty of what the future holds for him on Please as opposed to his assurance on Good things. He is scared to lose everything he has worked hard for so far, he is scared of what the end of the journey holds for him. It is quite understandable how much uncertainty one might feel when in the same shoes. Regardless of the situation, c’est la vie and we just have to keep moving.
Closing Remarks on the Brother’s Keeper
I don’t like to rate albums over particular scores but I must say this projec is an eight out of ten (8/10). The production is of adequate quality to amplify the stories and emotions behind each song. The lyrical depth and replay value of each track individually, and also the project as a whole contributes to this.
My personal favorites from this album are Spell, Zamo, Pour me a drink, Moving on and Nothing less, Nothing more because I can relate so well to them. Tables might turn tomorrow who knows? I might find myself in a situation where I will relate to another song from the project.
Once more, I commend the efforts of everyone who worked on the successful release of this project. Below are some fan reactions to the new album
Listen to Chike’s new album, The Brother’s Keeper here
You might also like Soot Africa’s review of Bnxn’s latest EP, check it out here