Enzo Pe$o Reflects on his Weaved Society’s Chaos on “Toastbar II”

By Emmanuel Daraloye

“Toastbar II,” an album released by Enzo Pe$o, a young Nigerian artist, producer, and sound engineer, on the 5th of August, 2022, is a 7-track body of work that uses expression to reflect society back to itself and the people it harbors. It starts with an “intro.” This is a weave of harsh hissing, crackling, and emitted fuzzy waves of white noise of a radio. But instead of the distorted sounds at first, at the 0:10 mark, the restless struggle of the noise takes shape into a distant feminine voice, resting on a deep bass.

“6AM” saunters with a mildly chaotic intro. The piano chords, the unsure but stealthy kick bass, the whispers of morning birds, Enzo’s testy voice, and at the 0:11 mark of this song, the inaudible yet loud chatter of some voices that seem steeped in complaints. At the 0:21 mark, Enzo keys in his normal voice with, “Look, I don’t even sleep. It’s 6AM, it’s 6AM, I’ve been rolling deep.” At the 0:33 mark, he repeats the same and keeps the complaints going till he prays against his enemies before the 1:11 minute track ends.

“Live in the Cut” seeps in with a twitchy, ear-piercing sound, a low-tone piano chord, and a distant radio voice, which gradually increase at the 0:21 mark. Featuring Big Daddy Kave, the duo gives a run-through rap with lyrics filled with themes of pride, focus, and grind. The line, “No mercy when I’m billing in Argentinian pesos,” shows the paid price and prices that should be paid. Leaning on brotherhood, the line “Me and my nigg*s doing sh*t that’s big” affirms a gained status and trust in the process while friends stay around, too. The use of the Igbo language, “… nne ewe nwanyo nne ewe ndidi,” on this track shows the exposure of the duo’s roots and culture’s promotion to the world.

“Dutche” leans on exposing mental and emotional pressure. A line like “I’ve seen niggas really going insane; how can I complain?” affirms the realities of the hood. The ideas and themes that run from drinking, fake people, and pressure, among others, to survival. Talking of poverty, “…” makes this track deeper. Resting on a minimalistic “clap-trap” type of beat gives Enzo, Kabizzy, and Lokii840 a path to express themselves.

“Let Her Go” strolls in with an intro filled with heavy piano chords, bass, mild percussion, and a tiny reverbed voice. He blows out with yet a gentle reminder of himself and a stance other guys might hold on to: “Boy from the matrix, I’ve been ducking bad women.” He raps with self-awareness and mindfulness of enemies around. The track, featuring Magic Fingers, Begho, and Afiaxsody, reiterates the essence of grind and focuses on “Running man, but I’m still running at a different pace.” The track again reminds guys to check on their girls and expose their weakness. This track rounds up with a sad reality of his home, “I know they hate us and they try to overtake us,” and ends with, “If you love her, let her go; if you like her, leave her.”

“Omo x2” is a “rap-rant” that weaves together mental pressure, hustle, religion, lack of trust, and other related realities. “Omo omo, I don stress, I wan crash. If I crash, then no cash. I no like to run scam, I no like to go class…” shows depression and a disjointed expression from Enzo featuring Mvniak, Kungfuboy, Mike, and Lamar Shima. Resting on a minimal hip-hop beat with a heart-thumping bass, crispy snare, “tiktik” hi-hats, and a piano chord, the track reveals beyond vulnerability.

“NoStress” starts with a paradox, “…I don’t stress at the same time I don’t rest.” It sets the tone for the track, shaping it for a chest that houses tranquility and restlessness. A larger part of the track infuses a showcase of pride, cusses, and talk of hard work. On the 4:08-minute track, Enzo joins his featured artists to express himself on stress and rest.

“Toastbar II” is a palette with colors and sketches of different societal themes being expressed, and some being weaved together. An album by Enzo Pe$o, clamours for a life where living is real and every human learns lessons that stay as propellers and pillars of strength while realities kick harder.