Check Out Asake and Travis Scott’s Brilliant Fusion on “Active”

Asake has inspired conversation for his adaptation of South African genres, mostly amapiano, which he combines with the intricacies of Nigerian performance. That has been the winning formula on his first two albums, Mr Money With The Vibe and Work of Art, calling on the expertise of Magicsticks who produced the majority of both albums.

On Lungu Boy, Asake’s sonic direction is yet to be unraveled, but if “Active” suggests anything, it’s that he might well play within the sonic fields he’s mastered. A warm record, with DJ scratches which recall the early days of hip-hop, “Active” seamlessly blends different sensibilities.

Leading the way, Asake casts his signature word-bending, touching on the themes of strength and activity the title infers. On his verse, Travis Scott’s atmospheric vocals find the perfect terrain in the dramatic drum patterns which ostensibly belong to house music. He’s brought outside of his usual flow, and that inching towards Asake’s style inspires a diligence that works towards the overall appeal of the record.

With a recurring vocal chop sampled from “Raise Da Roof,” the 2006 crossover record by Jazzman Olofin and Adewale Ayuba, the single underlines Asake’s dedication in aligning his artistic vision with the traditions of Nigerian art, this time from Fuji, whose stylistic technique he’s most adapted amongst others.

As a run-up to Lungu Boy, it is a fine offering, a showcase of what Asake has possibly achieved from, not just his features, but the entire creative room, from producer to visual designer. As he’s shown us more than once, he’s capable of wearing several hats at the same time. That’s how active he is.