MTV Review: Fuse ODG - T.I.N.A
We take a look at the newest star of UK Afrobeats, Fuse ODG's debut LP...
When it comes to mainstream Afrobeats in the UK, Fuse ODG is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the genre. The fact that we are even talking about Afrobeats entering the music charts has got a lot to do with this guy. It all started when Fuse “just came back from Ghana and [he] wanted to show us this dance that everyone was doing over there” – and just like that Azonto videos were appearing all over the web and a new culture was born.
Not since D’banj’s “Oliver Twist” and P-Square’s “Chop My Money” has the UK really embraced Afrobeats as positively as it is doing at the moment, and sitting at the top of this movement is Fuse ODG. Following a string of hit singles, high profile collaborations and MOBO award wins, Fuse ODG’s debut album T.I.N.A. (This Is New Africa) has finally been released. So have we heard all the best bits or is it worth the full length listen?
Oh oh oh but my eyes won't leave her
I go head over heels for TINA
My cheerleader, she's my diva oh
She hurt my head oh mama
It's Fuse
AY!
She hurt my head oh mama
Eeii
OK
It's a worldwide movement
Killbeatz let's go
There ain't no rain or no barrier to stop her loving her baby o, o yeah
There ain't no storm or no hurricane to stop her hugging her baby o
(No way)
Even when the sea come carry me go my TINA go come and save me o, o yeah
Not even the walls of Jericho can stop her touching her baby o
(That's why I'm loving my lady o)
Even when harm comes round my way
It's like your arms is where I lay
Because I feel you when you pray
And I already know I'll be ok
Even when harm comes round my way
It's like your arms is where I lay
Because I feel you when you pray
And I already know I'll be ok She hurt my head oh mama
Oh oh oh but my eyes won't leave her
I go head over heels for TINA
My cheerleader, she's my diva oh She hurt my head oh mama
Oh oh oh but my eyes won't leave her
I go head over heels for TINA
My cheerleader, she's my diva oh
Love the way she holds me
Telling me old stories
Like Nelson Mandela and truth behind Tripoli
Love the way she holds me
When I'm down and lonely
Makes me feel all better
Telling me no don't you worry
Since I came out the womb o
Mama gave me my room o
She be numero uno
I want the whole world to know
Since I came out my mama womb o
TINA gave me my room o
She be numero uno
I want the whole world to know
She hurt my head oh mama
Oh oh oh but my eyes won't leave her
I go head over heels for TINA
My cheerleader, she's my diva oh She hurt my head oh mama
Oh oh oh but my eyes won't leave her
I go head over heels for TINA
My cheerleader, she's my diva oh
(oh oh yeah yeah)
Tina na na na na yeah
(oh oh yeah yeah)
Tina na na na na oh
(oh oh yeah yeah)
Tina na na na na yeah
(Still I love way she hold me)
Na na oh na na na yeah
She hurt my head o mama
Still I love the way that she holds me
The first track “Letter to TINA” is a great introduction to the album. With just a simple organ melody and backing choir, this heart-warming song is reminiscent of a stereotypical, Lady Smith Black Mambazo-sounding African Gospel song, as we are reminded of Fuse’s love for the motherland. The speech towards the end is a little unexpected but it is a heartfelt reminder from Fuse of who he is and what the mission in his music is all about – promoting the best of Africa.
Thankfully the album picks up again with Fuse’s hit singles “Million Pound Girl” and “Antenna”. “Antenna” is the song that really brought Fuse ODG to the attention of many people, especially those that saw the viral video which accompanied this song, featuring the clever choreography of amateur dance duo Selasi and KB. Arguably Fuse’s best song, “Antenna” still sounds as good as when it first came out and will no doubt sound good in years to come. There’s nothing like having a timeless song on your album.
(You doing your thing)
You don't mind paying the cost you on your grind you dey move like the wind
(Move like the wind)
The way you put it down on the floor I wanna come and just give you my ring
(Give you my ring)
I wanna give a round of applause I like the way you wanna rule like a king
(She badder than bad
She phenomenal, she motivates and she elevates (She badder than bad)
My girl, roll with a king
Roll with a brother that can give you everything (oh thing)
My girl, roll with a king
Roll with a brother that make notes like a singer sing
My girl, roll with a king)
Roll with a brother that can give you everything (oh thing)
My girl, roll with a king
Cause every good man needs a queen what you think (oh think)
I like the way you put it on me
When you put the half a millie goody on me
You always stay ahead like the hoody on me
Girl you no for stress I no go leave you lonely ly ly ly ly
A million pound girl you a boss I like the way that you doing your thing
(You doing your thing)
You don't mind paying the cost u on your grind you dey move like the wind
(Move like the wind)
The way u put it down on the floor I wanna come and just give you my ring
(Give you my ring)
I wanna give a round of applause I like the way you wanna rule like a king
(She badder than bad)
She phenomenal, she motivates and she elevates (She badder than bad)
I like the way you motivate, believe in what I do so we cultivate
(Uh Huh)
Baby you be no delay, you riding by my side help me operate
(Uh Huh)
Nobody can hold your weight, you too much for them guys tell em go away
(Uh Huh)
That's why I wan congratulate, you hold yourself high you in your own space
(Uh Huh)
So go ahead and put it on me
When you put the half a millie goody on me
You always stay ahead like the hoody on me
Girl you no for stress I no go leave you lonely ly ly ly ly
A million pound girl u a boss I like the way that you doing your thing
(You doing your thing)
You don't mind paying the cost u on your grind u dey move like the wind
(Move like the wind)
The way u put it down on the floor I wanna come and just give you my ring
(Give you my ring)
I wanna give a round of applause I like the way you wanna rule like a king
(She badder than bad
She phenomenal, she Motivates and she elevates She badder than bad oh
She badder than bad yeahh (She badder than bad)
T.I.N.A. is a good upbeat Afrobeats album. Fuse ODG makes great transferable songs, the type of songs that can be enjoyed on daytime radio as well as blasted in a club and this album proves that he’s still got potential for more. The album is quite long though and after “Office Work” you do start to feel like you want go home after a long day, but realistically, there are a few tracks on T.I.N.A. that could have been saved for a second album. Furthermore, in the space of sixteen songs the theme goes from ‘I Love Africa’ to “she don’t even like pancakes, but she wants some Krept in her” (get it?) so the song order is interesting. However T.I.N.A. generally starts well and ends well, which is ideally what you want from an album. Overall, not a bad debut from Fuse ODG!
Get your copy of T.I.N.A here
Source: We Plug Good Music
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