DJ Sfresh’s “Afromonster EP 2” is a Brilliantly Executed Work of Art

By Ade Adeayo

Afrobeats have continued to grow from strength to strength. In the last two decades, the place of DJ in the Afrobeats market cannot be understated. From DJ Jimmyjatt, DJ Humility, and DJ Walex, there has always been a convergence of artistes and DJ coming together to achieve a sonic aim. It can be in the form of collaboration for a project, a social agency-type of partnership, or serving as mentors to underground artistes. DJs and artistes are Siamese twins. Nothing seems to separate.

While the pioneer of DJs in Nigeria seems to have taken the back seat, the new school DJs have continued to fly the flag high. One of such DJs is the Nigerian-born DJ Sfresh. He has been smartly collaborating with impeccable underground artiste around Nigeria. His latest extended play features the two brightest underground artiste around. In his EP, which he titled Afromonster EP 2, the iconic disc jockey featured A6ix and Warship, with the DJ serving as the music producer and executive producer.

The two-track EP finds DJ Sfresh and these artists exploring topics like love, beauty, and love. On the opening track titled “Oroma,” in which DJ Sfresh featured A6ix, with the singer serenading the listeners about his love interest. Oroma is an Igbo word for the Orange fruit. Contextually, in this song, DJ Sfresh celebrates his lover. In the opening verse, he reel off qualities about his love interest, how she makes him feel, in the chorus that follow, he list them out. It is a slow, cool, and mid-tempo type of song. The artist profusely sings about how he feels. Even when the song gets to verse two, he is still within the ambit of singing and celebrating his lover. Perhaps, it is safe to call DJ Sfresh and A6ix lover boy, unafraid to show encomium on whoever they are in love with.

On “Oroma,” DJ Sfresh is the primary artist and also the producer Dj Sfresh with A6ixx serving as the featured artiste. Whobaadblood mixed and mastered the track while Slimchi Beatz served as the co-producer. The songwriters on this song are Angela Ugiaumbeye Utsu,
Rebecca Agede Ayabie, Silas Eseosa Iseguan, Abdulmumin Abdulraheem, Prince Osei Awuah, Godwin Okala, Fortune Igoru
Odera Alexander and Williams Akintoye

The brilliant Nigerian vocalist, singer, songwriter, and performer Warship came through as the featured artist on “Again & Again,” with a Highlife genre type of instrumental. The singer reassured his lover of his faith, love, and loyalty. When he sings “because I am falling for you again, again,” it sounds honest and shines with some glimpse of truth. The hard-hitting percussion sometimes hinders his vocals from penetrating well.

Again & Again was produced by DJ Sfresh, who is also the primary artist, while Warship served as the featured artist. Danny Bazuaye Beatz co-produced the track. With Whobaadblood and Okemasky mixing and mastering the track.

The songwriters on this song are Angela Ugiaumbeye Utsu, Rebecca Agede Ayabie, Cornelius Ugwakong Ayabie, Blessing Simon, Munachi Chukwudi Onyeukwu, Elizabeth Eze, Silas Eseosa Iseguan, Worship Victor John, Prince Osei Awuah, Williams Akintoye and Victor Thomas.

With Afromonster EP 2, DJ Sfresh might have finally registered his name in the consciousness of a Nigerian and perhaps Afrobeats lover. He brilliantly executed this project, curating songs that would stand the test of time. Perhaps in his next release, he would increase the number of tracks, giving more underground artistes opportunities.