Mass Production album by Edem

It’s been four years since Edem announced his presence on the Ghanaian music since and it’s been a geometric progression for the ‘Ayigbe’ rapper. His debut album ,Volta Regime, had instant success with hits like ‘Bra Fremi’, ‘Nyornviade’, ‘Give it up’ and the smash hiphop combo ‘Bougez – U dey Craze’.

It’s taken Edem about four years to release his second album, with a better refined image, Edem – after re-branding and changing his initial stage name Ayigbe Edem.

Edem’s official Wikipedia page says the Mass Production is a transition from his first album and unlike his previous album which was solely produced by Hammer of the last Two, this one holds a mixture of unique beats and rhythms from different engineers.

I must admit that I don’t really understand the Ewe language, which is the main language in which Edem raps and sings, but with my deep knowledge of music and Edem’s dexterity and unique style, reviewing the album comes as easy as singing his hit song ‘Over Again’.

One basic thing to note about this album is that Edem proves that he’s not just one of Ghana’s finest rappers but can sing perfectly as well with some very smooth vocal abilities.

“You have just accessed the new s**t…listen responsibly” is the first line you’d hear on the album and you better obey the order because listen you have and it must be responsible; there are only a few albums like this in the world. Check the tweet by tweet review of the 13 track album below.

1. LEGACY FT. TINNY: Prod. By Hammer is a typical Hammer hiphop/rock fusion. Hard drum, trumpets and some thumping. Edem and Tinny’s combination is evident that the local dialect makes rap livelier. You may not get the lyrics if you don’t understand Ewe or Ga but you’ll definitely love the rap flow and the beat.

2. GHETTO ARISE: Prod. By Nature is an out-an-out reggae song, one of the finest composed by a Ghanaian. Edem sings and raps about life in the ghettos and the streets and admonishes the ghetto youth to stand for the truth and uphold their virtues, The story of Tina as he raps tells of the struggle of most street girls to make ends meet thereby resorting to prostitution. In his own word, Edem believes the ‘Ghetto will arise one day’. Great song!

3. WEY TIN: Prod. By EL is one of Edem’s most artistic songs so far. He sings so beautifully in his native Ewe language and seems to be talking about some unfair treatment Daavi is given her. Could the Daavi in the song be Confidence Haugen, his ex? Get the album, listen to ‘Weytin’ and find out for yourself…and hey, the instrumentation is classic!

4. OVER AGAIN: Prod. By Genius is the main typical dance track on the album. Even though the first video released for this song is nothing to write home about, the song in itself is a masterpiece. Lyrically, Edem tells of how he’d make good that girl who has been used and abused by his ‘paddy’. He tells the girl he’d take her in, spec her up and lover her over and over again irrespective of what people might say. It’s no wonder the ladies love this song already.

5. MEDEKUKU: Prod. By Lil Shaker has a typical Hammer feel with the instrumentation. Medekuku which means I beg in Ewe is a self-praise song. He says he can’t be stopped and….his ‘flow be GTP, very very timeless’. You can’t begrudge Edem for the little self-praise on the song. For all its worth, he has earned it!

6. KATE FT. JOEY B: Prod. By Hammer shows how versatile Edem is when it comes to collaborations. He continues to confuse us with the Ewe language because the rap is just lovable but makes little meaning to the listener who doesn’t understand the language. However, Joey B steps in to give some comprehension to their conversation. The song is just about neighborhood dating issues and that particular girl who notoriously plays around the guys. Fantastic beat, spot on rap and awesome rhyme scheme. Like ‘Legacy’, Ruth of TV3 Mentor fames steps in with some fine backing vocals.

7. MEGBONA: Prod. By Sammie Blacc is a song which would make you wish you could speak and understand Ewe. The military drum rolls, the smooth chorus sang by Edem, the mind blowing rap and the roll call of celebrities in the rap is evidence that non-Ewe listeners are missing a great deal when it comes to the message being delivered in the song. All in all, music is a universal language and you are gotta love the song even if you can’t understand the language.

8. BELIEVE: Prod. By EL is the inspiration to the masses. The title says it all and the song basically is about unity for a common cause hoping that all shall be well.

9. GO GETTA (GBEBUVI) FT. Bertha Prod. By Lil Shaker is a wonderful collabo; punchy rap, powerful vocals and instrumentation that may easily be mistaken for a signature Hammer beat. If you are self-confident or you need the extra push, this song will be number one on your playlist.

10. WEY TIN FT. GEMINI (Rap Version): Prod. By EL is given a multi-lingual touch but the energy notched up a bit with more rap by both Edem and Gemini. Edem complains about the stress he’s going through with Daavi and Gemini comforts him and gives him some advice. Obviously, their attempt to consolidate their relationships is failing. Lovely track!

11. YESSOLLL FT. EL: Prod. By EL is a song one shouldn’t sing for his woman if he’s not super rich, super skillful, super strong or super intelligent. The song is one that any man may want to sing to woo his love at a cost of having everything abundantly. Classic hiphop beat, beautiful singing, romantic and danceable too. A must listen!

12. TOO MUCH: Prod. By Hammer is yet another lovely dance track on the album. This song has fine understandable blend of English and Ewe and Edem explains how he his ‘too much’. Indeed, no other song could have explained how good Edem continues to get than the last official song on Mass Production.

13. GIRLS GIRLS with ANDY DOSTY Prod. By Peeweezel (Bonus Track) basically talks about girls. The host of Graphic Showbiz on TV, Andy Dosty, combines seamlessly with Edem to talk about women, the girls girls. The upcoming video of this song will explain in detail the concept of the song, whether Edem and Andy Dosty meant to praise the girls or portray themselves as womanizers…lol. #Gogettem

OVERALL ALBUM RATING: 7.2