85 to Africa

Jidennas cosmopolitan hip-hop is deepened with his second album. 85 to Africa lacks a track with the ferocity of Long Live the Chief, and nothing is either as charming or as instantly memorable as the multi-platinum Classic Man, but its more substantive. Continuing where the Boomerang EP left off, even tighter lyrical, sonic, and collaborative connections are made with his fathers home continent. The rapping and singing dandy is still chiefin -- coasting on charisma and wit more than skill, preening and gloating through much of the LP in his inimitable way, humble enough to accept one of the humorous nicknames bestowed on him. Hes at his strongest on Tribe, a chiming, trap-styled production from C Gutta and Mike & Keys that radiates collective pride instead of ego. Close to that is the title track, in which Jidenna and producers Nana Kwabena and J Kits lower the boom on European imperialism. The best and most personal material finishes the album. Nursery rhyme melodies and loops of Sekou Bembeya Diabates ringing guitar dont obscure the fear of death that shoots clean through the startling Pretty & Afraid. Jungle Fever then pays tribute to Jidennas parents with sweet affection and gives way to The Other Half, slinking and soulful as the artist -- joined by St. Beauty and Mereba -- confronts toxic masculinity and dead-end lifestyles of his hopeless and marginalized brothers. ~ Andy Kellman