Artist Spotlight

MC Artist Spotlight: Seyi Vibez – From Soulful Solace to Vibrant Vibez

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Seyi Vibez: From Soulful Solace to Vibrant Vibez
Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

Seyi Vibez has captivated audiences with his soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and unique blend of Apala with pop. From his groundbreaking album ‘No Seyi No Vibez’ to his latest release, ‘Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come,’ Seyi Vibez has undergone a remarkable evolution, transitioning from a niche artist to a mainstream sensation. In this Op-Ed, Michael Kolawole delves into Seyi Vibez’s journey, exploring his musical growth, artistic experimentation, and the divide between mainstream and underground music.


"Good music can be ornate as a cathedral, or bare as a potting shed…" Lydia Tar

When I first heard “NSNV (No Seyi No Vibez),” the title track of Seyi Vibez’s groundbreaking album, No Seyi No Vibez, I instantly fell in love with his soulful voice and relatable lyrics, and his blend of Apala with pop. I put the album in a loop to grasp Seyi’s perspective and concept, which is superb and refreshing. After listening to the NSNV album, I went to Audiomack to search for his discography. After thoroughly listening to his songs, I discovered that his music attempts to depict and promote an understanding of his environment, emotions, and experiences. I observed youth in different neighbourhoods passionately singing his songs and I realized that his relatable and supplicatory songs have earned him a dedicated fanbase that perceives his music as the gospel to their abject conditions. 

As Seyi Vibez continued to gain popularity, his musical style underwent a gradual evolution. While maintaining his signature emotive style, he began incorporating more upbeat and catchy elements into his songs. Songs like “God Sent,” (off NSNV) “Bullion Van” and “Bank of America,” both from his Billion Dollar Baby album, showcased a shift toward a more vibrant and energetic sound. These songs marked a turning point in his career, demonstrating his versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres within the Afrobeat landscape.

Seyi Vibez: From Soulful Solace to Vibrant Vibez
Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

In recent times, Seyi Vibez has taken the Nigerian music scene by storm with his latest hit songs, further solidifying his position as a rising star. Tracks such as “Chance (Na Am),” “Psalm 23,” and “Kun Faya Kun (Be and It’s)” are infused with the infectious rhythms and melodies of Amapiano that are bound to get listeners on their feet. These songs display newfound confidence and swagger in Seyi Vibez’s delivery, as he effortlessly rides the beats with his distinct vocal style. The lyrics remain relatable, often touching on themes of love, hustle, and celebration of life. His gravitas, stream-of-conscious flow, and gravitas on Billion Dollar Baby—in fact, his “Look at me, look at how brilliant I am” performance on “Chance (Na Am)”—gives him the coveted seat at the table. With the release of Billion Dollar Baby 2.0, points are made, underlined, and hammered into the ground.

Seyi Vibez seems excessively fond of his stylistic flourishes—of course, he needs to be. He deserves the spotlight and wealth that comes with it. His earlier style, although interesting, and sometimes highly creative, lacked mainstream appeal. With “Chance (Na am),” Seyi Vibez’s concept is catapulted into the mainstream consciousness and earned him praise and scrutiny. Seyi Vibez’s melody wears a stream-of-consciousness tone. He captures the natural flow of this song with an extended thought process, often by combining sensory images, incomplete ideas, unusual syntax, and street linguistics. The verses lack coherence. But some lines pinpoint Seyi’s heartfelt desires: To be given a chance to prove his ingenuity and his flamboyant lifestyle. The opening sequence of the “Chance” video presents a metaphysical resurrection of Seyi Vibez from beneath the ocean. And the pre-chorus, which is a bit laid-back and sleek, paints a vivid picture of Seyi’s glamorous desire to be seen and acknowledged by the mainstream audience.

Seyi Vibez: From Soulful Solace to Vibrant Vibez
Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

When comparing Seyi Vibez’s old and current hit songs, it becomes evident that he has not lost the emotional depth that initially endeared him to fans. His earlier tracks explored the challenges of life, offering solace and motivation to listeners. In contrast, his recent hits incorporate elements of celebration and self-assurance, reflecting his growth and evolving perspective. Seyi Vibez has managed to strike a delicate balance between introspection and liveliness, creating a unique sound that is truly his own.

After the death of his mother, Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come is a refreshing and captivating album that showcases Seyi Vibez’s vulnerability, undeniable talent, and growth. This body of work encapsulates his unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, Fuji, Amapiano, and trap influences, delivering a sound that is both melodically enchanting and lyrically engaging.

Lyrically, Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come explores a range of themes, including love, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams. Seyi Vibez demonstrates a keen ability to convey deep emotions and experiences through his heartfelt and relatable lyrics. One of the standout features of this album is the infectious energy that permeates throughout each track. From the incantatory, supplicatory opening song “Kingdom” to the closing introspective track “Blacka Rhythm,” Seyi Vibez effortlessly set the tone with his mesmerizing vocals and captivating delivery. The album’s production is rich and layered, featuring a fusion of vibrant instrumentals, infectious beats, and well-crafted melodies that perfectly complement Seyi Vibez’s emotive voice.

Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

Vibez Till They Kingdom Come also delves into the struggles of life, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive outlook. The seamless transition between different moods and styles within the album is a testament to Seyi Vibez’s artistic range and ability to experiment with various sounds. The album also showcases Seyi Vibez’s versatility as an artist. Dejavu exudes a laid-back and introspective vibe and shows his Yoruba (or Islamic) spirituality and street smartness.

Seyi Vibez’s vocal performance throughout the album is nothing short of exceptional. His voice possesses a raw and emotive quality that effortlessly conveys the depth of his lyrics. Whether he’s singing with vulnerability and tenderness or exuding confidence and swagger, Seyi Vibez’s vocal prowess remains consistent and captivating.

Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

Like any other underground artist that breaks into the mainstream, Seyi’s music is misunderstood. His diverse taste and style are divisive, and some people question his originality. People are always sceptical about innovation. But the more they see or explore it, the more they get used to it. Some feel that there’s something pulpy in his music that’s hard to get past. Some feel that his earlier songs, which are interesting, and sometimes highly creative but lack mainstream appeal, are better than his current songs, which are style-over-substance. And some believe that the smoke and mirrors of sensationalism can not elevate him any higher than the solemnness, supplication, and zeal of his earlier songs.

I disagree.

I’m drawn to experimental artists that question existing or dominant narratives. Some artists scream about their experimentation. Some are calm or subtle about it. But Seyi Vibez screams about his iconoclast interest. Though the overt duplication of stream-of-consciousness and inherently garnished lyrics with street lingo is now the recurring schtick in his songs, that’s what the zeitgeist is because “time is the essential piece of interpretation”.

Seyi Vibez: From Soulful Solace to Vibrant Vibez
Cr.: Instagram/Seyi Vibez

Music that entertains, but says nothing, grips us for a moment and when the moment passes, the music dies and is forgotten. When that’s all there is to do, artists still keep doing their thing because they have to eat. But, some artists naturally have contempt for this. Seyi Vibez is one such artist that deftly blends extraordinariness with mundanity. And with the way Seyi drops songs these days, he doesn’t seem to care about criticism (or comparison) because vibes, coupled with self-conscious genre conventions, sometimes to an ironic or distancing effect, are bringing him fame and wealth.

Afrobeat, after all, is more of a style (read: Vibes) with little or no substance.

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