Reminisce - #ATSG Album Shoot

Reminisce
Birth nameRemilekun Abdulkalid Safaru
Born (1981-01-26) 26 January 1981
Kaduna, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, rapper, songwriter, actor
Years active2008–present
LabelsLRR Records

Remilekun Khalid Safaru (born January 26, 1981), known by his stage names Reminisce and Alaga Ibile, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor originating from Ogun State. He performs in English and in his native language, Yoruba.[1][2]

Early life

Reminisce is from Ajilete, Yewa South LGA in Ogun State, the western part of Nigeria. He was born on January 26, 1981, in Kaduna state, Northern Nigeria. In school, he listened to various genres of local and foreign music and performed in school activities. He studied purchasing and supply at Kwara State Polytechnic.[3]

Music career

He recorded his first song in a studio in 2006 and recorded a hardcore rap album at Coded Tunes, but the album was never released and he decided to focus on his studies and complete schooling. In 2008, Reminisce returned to the music scene, performing a rap verse on a track titled “Bachelor’s Life” off 9ice's sophomore album titled “Gongo Aso”. His first single, “Ever Since”, featured 9ice, and was a story about his life till that moment. His second, “If Only”, was a love song produced by Dtunez.[4]

In 2014, TIME Magazine named Reminisce one of the seven "World Rappers You Should Meet.”[5] He was also named by Nigerian music site NotJustOk, as one of the top three hip-hop artists of 2014.[6]

His song titled "Local Rappers" in 2015, which he featured Olamide and Phyno had some controversial comments from fans as they felt the song was targeted at rappers who rap with English language such as MI and Mode9.[7] In 2015, Reminisce was named a brand ambassador for the Orijin alcoholic beverage brand.[8]

Reminisce is signed to Les Roses Rouge (LRR) Records, and he is the only Nigerian rapper to have two albums debut on the billboard charts; Baba Hafusa at number 12, and El-Hadj at number 13.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Book of Rap Stories (2012)[9]
  • ALAGA IBILE (2013)[10]
  • Baba Hafusa (2015)[11]
  • El-Hadj (2016)
  • ATSG, Vol. 1 (2023)[12]

EP

  • Vibes & Insha Allah EP (2020)

Book of Rap Stories

Reminisce's first album, Book of Rap Stories, was released on 31 March 2012. He started recording the album since 2010 after linking up with the studio producer Sarz at Edge Records Studios. The studio allowed him to make the album bilingual. The album was produced by Sarz, Legendury Beatz, Joshbeatz, Jospo and PastorChild. The album did well commercially in the southern part of Nigeria.[9]

Alaga Ibile

His second album, ALAGA IBILE, was officially released on 15 November 2013. It marked a significant milestone in his music career. The title "Alaga Ibile" translates to "Chairman of the City" in Yoruba, reflecting Reminisce's status as a prominent figure in the Nigerian music industry.

The album sold million of copies before the end of 2014.[10] In 2014, Time Magazine named Reminisce as one of seven "world rappers you should meet".[13]

Here are some key details about the "Alaga Ibile" album:

  1. Album Tracks: The album featured Wizkid, Naeto c, Davido, Olamide and Sossick and the singles Eleniyan, featuring Wizkid, Daddy featuring Davido, Fantasi and 3rd World Thug. Reminisce worked with producers Sossick, Sarz, Chopstix and Jospo.[10]
  2. Reception: "Alaga Ibile" received positive reviews from music critics and fans alike. It solidified Reminisce's position as one of the leading indigenous rappers in Nigeria and earned him recognition for his storytelling abilities and wordplay.
  3. Chart Success: Several tracks from the album gained popularity and charted well in Nigeria. "Kako Bi Chicken," in particular, was a massive hit and became an anthem in Nigerian nightlife.
  4. Impact: The album further established Reminisce's unique style of rapping in Yoruba and contributed to the growing popularity of indigenous rap in Nigeria. It also showcased his versatility as an artist, as he explored different themes and emotions in his music.
  5. Album Cover: The album's cover art features Reminisce in traditional Yoruba attire, reinforcing his cultural identity and pride in his Yoruba heritage.

"Alaga Ibile" remains a significant and influential project in Reminisce's discography and in the broader Nigerian hip-hop and rap scene. It helped cement his reputation as a respected rapper and storyteller, and it contributed to the ongoing evolution of Nigerian hip-hop music.

Baba Hafusa

Reminisce's third album, Baba Hafusa, was released in April 30, 2015. Reminisce became the first hip hop artist in Africa to have an album debut on Billboard Charts World Music category at no. 12. [14]

Described as a “genre busting album”, it was a strong contender for album of the year with music critics and fans alike applauding the fusion of sounds to form a unique blend of hip hop, fuji and afrobeats.[11]

  1. Album Tracks: "Baba Hafusa" features a collection of tracks that showcase Reminisce's lyrical prowess and storytelling ability. Some of the notable tracks on the album include "Local Rappers" featuring Olamide and Phyno, "Baba Hafusa," "Tesojue," "Skilashii," and "Gbamilago" featuring Sean Tizzle.
  2. Production: The album boasts production from various Nigerian producers, including Sarz, Sossick, Chopstix, and Tyrone. The production style blends elements of Yoruba traditional music with modern hip-hop and Afrobeat influences.
  3. Collaborations: One of the standout tracks on the album is "Local Rappers," which features fellow Nigerian rappers Olamide and Phyno. This collaboration received widespread acclaim for its showcase of indigenous rap talent.
  4. Reception: "Baba Hafusa" received positive reviews from music critics and fans alike. It was praised for its catchy beats, clever wordplay, and Reminisce's ability to deliver rhymes in Yoruba, which resonated with both Yoruba-speaking audiences and fans of Nigerian hip-hop.

"Baba Hafusa" played a crucial role in elevating Reminisce's status in the Nigerian music industry and solidifying his reputation as a talented indigenous rapper. The album's success helped further popularize the fusion of Yoruba culture and language with contemporary hip-hop and established Reminisce as a respected figure in Nigerian hip-hop and rap music.

El-Hadj

"El-Hadj" is the fourth studio album by the Nigerian rapper Reminisce, and it was released on August 29, 2016. Reminisce became the first hip hop artist in Africa to have two albums debut on Billboard Charts World Music category at no. 13.

"El-Hadj" contains a variety of tracks that explore different themes and styles of rap. Some of the notable tracks on the album include "Asalamalekun," "Konsignment," "Ibadi," "If E No Be God" featuring Mr. Eazi, and "Feego" featuring Seriki, Ice Prince, and Ola Dips.

The album features production from a range of Nigerian producers, including Sossick, Sarz, T-Flava, and others. The production on the album blends traditional African sounds with contemporary hip-hop elements.

"El-Hadj" received positive reviews from both fans and music critics. The album was praised for its production quality, lyrical content, and Reminisce's ability to tell compelling stories through his music.

Several tracks from the album enjoyed commercial success and received extensive airplay on Nigerian radio stations. "Asalamalekun" and "Konsignment" were among the standout tracks that gained significant attention.

"El-Hadj" continued Reminisce's tradition of incorporating Yoruba language and culture into his music while exploring a wide range of topics, including social issues, street life, and personal experiences. The album contributed to his status as one of Nigeria's leading indigenous rappers and further solidified his place in the Nigerian music scene.

Vibes & Insha Allah EP

Reminisce released the EP Vibes & Insha Allah in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.[15] The EP garnered over 4.5 million streams on Audiomack in 4 months.

The music project consists of 6-tracks and features the artists Fireboy DML, Mo Safaru and Fatimah Safaru. Production was completed by Tmxo, Krizbeatz, Sarz and others.

Movies

King of Boys

Reminisce played a role in the Nigerian movie "King of Boys," which was released in 2018. "King of Boys" is a Nigerian political crime thriller film directed by Kemi Adetiba and features a star-studded cast. In 2021, he made a reappearance in the sequel titled; "King of Boys; Return of the King"

In the movie, Reminisce portrayed the character "Makanaki," a notorious gangster in Lagos known for his involvement in criminal activities and his reputation for ruthlessness. Makanaki's character becomes entangled in the complex world of politics and power struggles, which forms the core of the film's storyline.

Reminisce's performance as Makanaki was well-received by both audiences and critics. His portrayal brought a menacing and intense presence to the character, earning him recognition as one of the standout performances in the movie. Critics commended his seamless transition from a successful rapper to a compelling actor.

"King of Boys" received acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and performances, including Reminisce's role as Makanaki. The film's success contributed to his growing reputation as a multi-talented artist in Nigeria, showcasing his acting abilities alongside his established music career.

As a result of the film's positive reception, Reminisce found new opportunities within the Nigerian film industry, leading to his involvement in other projects and further diversifying his career in the entertainment sector.

References

  1. ↑ "Reminisce Full Bio". Jango.com. Jango. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Reminisce Biography: Age, Early Life, Education, Family, Career, Collaborations, Awards, Controversy, Endorsements". NAIJAlebrity. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. ↑ CHUKS NWANNE (19 October 2019). "HEADIES 2019, AND THE WINNER IS…". guardian.ng. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ↑ INEM UDODIONG (28 August 2021). "I AM MAKANAKI WITHOUT THE GUNS". culturecustodian.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  5. ↑ Video, Time (12 July 2014). "Forget Eminem: World Rappers You Should Meet". TIME.com. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Demola OG (21 November 2014). "The 10 Most Gifted Rappers In Nigeria 2014 | FULL LIST". NotJustOk. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "I have no beef with Reminisce, others on local rappers — Modenine". Vanguard News. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ↑ Sowemimo, Dayo. "Reminisce bags new deal as Orijin ambassador". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Book of Rap Songs". 360nobs. 360nobs. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 "Album Review". The Net. The Net. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Reminisce releases 3rd album". Jaguda. Jaguda. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  12. ↑ VibeOnVibe.com.ng (27 October 2023). "'ATSG, Vol. 1 - Album by Reminisce". VibesOnVibe.com.ng. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Video, TIME (12 July 2014). "Forget Eminem: World Rappers You Should Meet". time.com. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Bada, Gbenga. "Reminisce: 'Baba Hafusa' hits 12th spot on Billboard World Album Chart". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Reminisce – "Vibes And Insha Allah" EP Out Now!!!". LocaaTunes - Much Xclusive Music. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
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