New Bell Music Showcases A Fresh Crop Of Cameroonian Rappers On 'Lord Have Mercy' EP
Cameroonian hip-hop label New Bell Music releases 'Lord Have Mercy,' a compilation EP featuring Jovi, Tilla, Reniss, Pascal and Shey.
<p>The artists signed under Cameroonian hip-hop label <a href="http://newbellmusic.com/" target="_blank"><strong>New Bell Music</strong></a> have never been afraid to experiment. On their latest group effort, the 5-track compilation EP <em>Lord Have Mercy</em>, New Bell’s most recent crop of artists— <a href="https://twitter.com/tillaraps" target="_blank"><strong>Tilla</strong></a>, <strong>Pascal</strong>, and <strong>Shey</strong>— are joined by more seasoned names like labelhead <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/tag/Jovi/" target="_blank"><strong>Jovi</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/reniss-owe-owe-sadrak-le-monstre-new-bell-music-cameroon/" target="_blank"><strong>Reniss</strong></a> in a savvy blend of trap, reggae, dancehall, afro-pop and electro. An early forerunner off the project was Tilla's "<a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/cameroonian-rapper-tilla-first-single-pantana/" target="_blank">Pantana</a>,” which plays comfortably with genres such as dancehall in the backdrop of a highlife guitar riff on the chorus as Reniss’ voice soars and Shey pops in with a reggae hook.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p><iframe height="150" seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4113166595/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=7137dc/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; width: 400px; height: 307px;" width="300"><a href="http://newbellmusic.bandcamp.com/album/lord-have-mercy">Lord Have Mercy by New Bell Music</a></iframe></p><p><a href="http://newbellmusic.com/release/lord-have-mercy/" target="_blank"><strong>>>>Download: New Bell Music's <em>Lord Have Mercy</em> EP</strong></a></p><p>“Charger,” the second track on the EP, is a continuation of Jovi’s experimental trap-phase that started with “<a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/jovi-et-p8-koi-new-bell-music-cameroon/" target="_blank">Et P8 Koi</a>.” Jovi’s Pidgin-English rap is both serious and frivolous, and it's accompanied by a trap beat laced with an eerie bell toll. Jovi’s rap goes from repetitive, onomatopoeic, lyrical to sing-song in a way which highlights his artistic maturity as he experiments with genres and styles.</p><p>Pascal’s flow, accompanied by Shey on the chorus of the third track “Horsepower,” introduces these two artists to the world on a song that tackles social issues. The track's lyrical nature serves as a testament to the potential of both artists, as they switch comfortably between Pidgin-English and French.</p><p>Perhaps the most memorable song on the <em>Lord Have Mercy</em> EP is its title track. On it, Tilla's flow is laid back and lyrical with a touch of confidence, a testimony to her rapid evolution as an artist. Meanwhile, Reniss’ verse, which comes on a reggae beat laced with another memorable guitar riff, soars with such flow that her previous afro-pop performances are like a footnote. The song itself highlights New Bell's Pidgin-English catchphrase: “Any time we shoot we no di miss, Lord have mercy on the hater.”</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></p><p>The EP ends on a rather aggressive note, as the artists on the “Et P8 Koi Remix” indulge in a multilingual deluge of ego tripping, which at times sacrifices style in favor of content. It's important though to look at the track as a “concept song,” a continuation of the original with the addition of New Bell's Tilla and Pascal, alongside <strong>Teddy Doherty</strong>, <strong>Zayox</strong>, <strong>Mic Monsta</strong>, <strong>Inna Money</strong>, and <strong>Dareal</strong>.</p><p><em>Dzekashu MacViban is a freelance writer and journalist whose work has featured in <a href="http://www.idgconnect.com/" target="_blank">IDG Connect</a> and <a href="http://www.goethe.de/ins/cm/yao/deindex.htm?wt_sc=kamerun" target="_blank">goethe.de/kamerun</a> among other places. He can be found on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Dmacviban" target="_blank">@Dmacviban</a>.</em></p>
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