Nigerian rap duo, Show Dem Camp(SDC) released the final leg of the palm wine music series, Palmwine Music Vol. 3 on the 30th of September, 2022. This new album is the last of the trilogy that began in 2017. It explores the theme of love, and the reality of relationships.
” If this is where it ends, it’s important that this project is about love. I think it might open a realistic take on love and relationships“-Tec (Apple Music interview)
Wale Davies and Olumide Ayeni, popularly known as Tec and Ghost, make up the rap duo, Show Dem Camp. Often regarded as Alté OGs with over a decade’s presence in the Nigerian music industry, SDC has become a household name with devoted followership. The duo is popular for their frequent collaborations with notable artists and creatives both in the mainstream and especially within Nigeria’s Alté music community. They have worked with artists like MI Abaga, Vector, Ladipoe, Tay Iwar, Odunsi, Tems, and BOJ, among many others.
Palmwine Music, the Journey so far
The Palmwine Music project is a major trademark of Show Dem Camp, alongside the Clone Wars series. It is seen as a cruise project meant for relaxation and enjoyment with light-hearted conversations and themes. The Clone Wars series on the other hand addresses themes around politics, society, religion, and life in general. The Palmwine movement has gone beyond musical projects to become a festival on its own. The Palmwine Festival is one event I always look forward to. The last one was superb, I lost my voice that night.
One cannot help but recognize the growth and greatness embedded in these projects right from the Palmwine music vol.1, 2 and the Palmwine express. The catalogue is beautiful from start to finish.
As the final leg of the trilogy, Palmwine music 3 tells a story of love. It addresses the reality of relationships and companionship. This spans the ecstasy and the thrill, the challenges, and opportunities, as well as the breaking points and toxicity. Especially when you are in Lagos, the relationship scene is the absolute ghetto, God when in public, God abeg in private. Anyways, let’s go on a ride on the Palmwine Express because I have washed my hands off Lagos relationships with you people.
Are you a new Palmwine Tapper or a seasoned one? Grab your gourd, and earphones and tune in your radio to 1 billion point 1, Palm wine radio, and enjoy the tales of love under the moonlight.
Palmwine Music 3- Love, Relationships and its Struggles
The new album has 17 tracks, which includes skits. We have Folu Storms and Nsikak killing the intro as usual to set the pace. And as every love story begins, from distraction to attraction, Head over heels ft Victony is a story of how you trip and fall into the pit of love. Live life ft Tems is a declaration of freedom, it paints the picture of an individual who wants to enjoy the perks of being in love but is not committed to a cause.
Oxlade delivers beautifully layered vocals and hook combinations on Mine Alone as the duo delivers beautiful lines expressing their love and admiration for their lovers. Kele reminds me of the classic track- Feel Alright. As expected, BOJ never fails to come through on Show Dem Camp’s palm wine music projects, and below is the reason why
Everyone thinks im on all the palmwine projects based off merit and chemistry bla bla but its cuz they know i will vex if they dont put me
— #Gbagadaexpress (@BojDRB) October 5, 2022
Bitter Ex Vibes
However, there is a switch-up in the next track WYW with Bellah. I love the toxicity on it. It’s giving a bitter ex vibe, the type to stand against your marriage in church on your wedding day. Not every time love and light after a bad breakup. You should call them out and “wish them well”.
Also, there is something about how the saxophone on Feel Something ft Tim Lyre. Tec describes how he searched for his passion and love, and as usual, Tim Lyre’s vocals are outstanding. It is only right that after you feel something, you get Freaky. Mannywellz, the sensational singer comes through on this track. Lojay, also a first-time palm wine tapper delivers smoothly on Your Love as well. I am sure you have also gone to check out who TOBi is. My goodness! These vocals are heavenly.
“Searching for self, that’s the hardest to find”
Tec, 2022
Bad Design talks about lovers who are yet to accept the conditions of their flawed love relationship while Apollo ft Tay Iwar is a trial at making it work over again. OldFlame ft Nesta and Ladipoe addresses one common factor in relationships today- The move from the need to work things out over again, to the need for closure after break ups which only leads to more complications more often than not. Like Ghost said, love requires a lot of dedication and commitment.
Love’s a muscle, needs resistance to grow
Ghost.
The gym bros will get the reference above.
Twelve XII teams up with the duo to describe what real love should feel like on If It’s Love; the fresh start, vulnerability, and dedication.
Live life with no regrets
The album closes with No regrets ft Moelogo who never fails to deliver soothing pieces of advice and encouragement in a mix of English and Yoruba languages. The duo recounts their struggles in the beginning. Also, this is a reminder that the road to success might be rocky but consistency and hard work pays off eventually.
Appraisal and conclusion
Firstly, the theme is well-laid out from the start and it addresses the reality of relationships around us today. The skits which are common to hear on Show Dem Camp projects not only help create a mental picture of the real-life situations they paint but also help to drive home the points about the theme. Ebiye Victor on the first-time caller skit, the bad break-up skit creates a mental picture of how people dial-in to radio stations to complain about their partners’ excesses. This reminds me of this tweet below
May we not enter relationship where we will be seeking advice from radio programs 🍻 say Amen
— 𝙴𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚊.eth aka the lost boy (@erigganewmoney) September 29, 2022
The skit at the end of OldFlame is my favourite- The Asoebi is Champagne gold and turkey yellow lives rent-free in my head.
Secondly, one thing you will notice on Palmwine music 3 is that every featured artist was adjusted to suit the style and pattern they are known for. The already-known Palmwine tappers like BOJ, Moelogo, and Ladipoe were adjusted to suit their styles, and are easily cohesive. On the other hand, the new faces/voices were easily cohesive with the duo, especially Oxlade, Tim Lyre, and Nesta. This shows how versatile the rap duo can be as they blend with the vocalists.
Mine Alone is the most perfect track on Palmwine music 3. It's one thing to feature a strong vocalist and another thing to fully optimize their vocals. @ShowDemCamp did that just perfectly with @oxladeofficial .
— Pastor Miah Thee Stallion (@__Feranmi) October 2, 2022
In addition to this, it is quite important to point out the fact that the duo is known for putting young growing artists on their platform. They have featured a couple of young creative minds who have gone on to cement their place in the industry. On Palmwine music 3, I discovered Twelve XII and TOBi.
Production and Delivery
Lastly, the production is top-notch, I must commend Spaxx as usual as well as Alpha Ojini and TUC. Not only did they understand the assignment but they also aced it with flying colours. Show Dem Camp on the other hand never fails to deliver like an experienced midwife.
Closing remarks
My favorite tracks on this album in ascending order are; Mine Alone, OldFlame, No regrets, Apollo, and Rolling, with Feel Something and Freaky contending for a spot.
However, if you are yet to get intoxicated by this fresh Palmwine, I recommend you grab your cup and start the Trilogy from Palmwine Music Vol.1, 2, and Palmwine express.
Finish off with one more gourd for the road, Palmwine music 3- Show Dem Camp – Palmwine Music 3 (lnk.to)
Check out other Exclusives like this on Soot Africa today!
Stay intoxicated,
Jeremiah.