Jidenna is a Feeling and Sounds Like Vibes that Don't Lie

Jidenna - 85 to Africa

Jidenna is back with a boastful gesture to his West African roots. The Classic Man spent part of his childhood in his father’s native country of Nigeria, and that’s evident in all 11 tracks on his new album: 85 to Africa.

“Worth the Wait” is perhaps one of the more classically aggressive jaunts on the new project. The lyrics of overture and conquest, wrapped around Jidenna’s Pan-African Idealism sound like perfection.

As a little boy slanging chains back in Chinatown
Thinkin' to myself
I'ma build a blacker kinda town wit' my, wit' my, wealth
And I pray that I'm the brightest sound that you ever felt
I'ma take a million flights around, 'til that shit is felt

The entire album was worth the wait and to engage with Jidenna on this project is to musically venture into another hemisphere. On first listen, one may skip around searching for a vibe. That’s because much of today’s music has conditioned us to look for a vibe, where messages are absent. True artistry is in every track on 85 to Africa. Rhythm and love are within the message.

Don’t miss the message trying to catch the vibe.