Release date: November 18, 2022
Producers: Multiple Producers
Length: 31 minutes 45 seconds
Characteristic: 6 – Backroad Gee, Fave, Skibii, Fave, Ladipoe, Bella Shmurda
Details/To take away: In The oldest, TI Blaze, born Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin, can be seen taking a rather pensive and realistic look at the nature of life as a ‘rat race’. In songs like ‘Only’ Featuring street-pop maverick Bella Shmurda, he reflects on the lonely nature of man, partly inspiring, partly warning listeners with lyrics like ‘Nobody send your dad or mom/ Las las, na tu mata/ Shebi na that doesn’t receive dey chop alone.’ He similarly pontificates on songs like ‘Far,’ where he reflects on his countless blessings and the journey thus far; ‘Friends-enemies,’ where he laments the reality of envious and treacherous friends; and also in ‘My life,’ where he takes his stand on enjoying the fruits of life that are at hand and avoiding overthinking things beyond his control; and in the song’Benefit,’ review the value of meaningful friendships and observe the type of circle one maintains.
Like the crux of the record, the TI Blaze’s didactic tends to always dominate his records. As with previously released songs like ‘Try,’ ‘Sometimes,’ among others, the ghetto gospel narrative in ‘The oldest’ it gives the album the lyrical and emotional depth with which it soars. Sometimes it’s not even the direction that shapes the narratives; but the fact that it presents all of these realities together is a huge win for the average kid on the street who may never make it to a concert or enjoy life’s finer moments. It’s the music that makes them feel ‘seen’.
In songs like “Enclose,talks about how the love you share with your partner may not be affected by distance; “Panic,” where her insecurities come to light about whether or not she will be served ‘breakfast’ (breakup); “Play” with star girl Fave, where he again warns his lover not to play with him. On these songs, TI Blaze continues to show the softer sides of masculinity that are almost like mandatory sins for many men.
In ‘The oldest’, TI Blaze makes street pop music enjoyable to consume, even for non-Yoruba speaking audiences; as her lyrics regularly switch between pidgin, Yoruba, and English. He plays the genius of sound okizy, rexxie, niphkeys, Dibs, Spykida, enter to create a sonic palette for your brand, which means you could be having a bad day and TI Blaze’s music will be just as relaxing as when you hear it in your wildest moments at the club. It also highlights the importance of having a good A&R team; as the genius shown by Kelechi Chopper Akwari brought this record to life.
