#AHAlbumReview: Yxng Dxnzl: A Study On Self Worth, by MI Abaga

Artiste: M.I. Abaga

Album: Yxng Dxnzl: A Study On Self Worth

Tracks: 10

Features: Tay Iwar, Cina Soul, Niyola, Odunsi the Engine, Patricxxlee, Lorine Chia, Caryn Solomon and Lady Donli
Producers: Tay Iwar, Major Bangz, TMXO, DOZ, Gclef, Chillz, GMK, Chopstix and Patricxxlee
Release Date: 24 August 2018
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Label: Chocolate City

If there is one thing I have respected M.I. Abaga for, it’s the fact that for every new album, he brings on relatively new or let me say not-too-popular artiste and the kind of jobs these guys will do on the project will amaze you, for this alone I will always respect M.I.

I have so many things I need to say about this project but let me get the review out of the way first. The new project from the Chocolate City boos is titled Yxng Dxnzl and this happens to be his second project for the year after dropping Rendezvous early this year.

Do You Know Who You Are? Take Some Time To Mediate On You is the first song off this 10 track album. Now pardon me, I just realised that if I decide to review this project track by track, I might just end up writing a book and not a review, so allow me to talk about the project in general and give you a final rating.

For those that might be looking out for the weakest song on this project, I’m sorry to disappoint you, there is no weak song on this project, from the beginning to the end this project is nothing but mind blowing. Sometime last year, M.I. mentioned he was working on this project and when critics started to question his ability to deliver, M.I dropped a single off the project. You Rapper Should Fix Up Your Life which is the 3^rd track on this project  and we all know the reaction this song got but for me this was the moment I knew the Yxng Dxnzl project will be something totally different.

For you to really appreciate and understand the value of this project, you have to listen to the album in a normal mode and not shuffle mood, because this is not just an album, like you might have noticed I keep referring it to as a Project, it’s art at its finest, music at its purest, rap couldn’t sound more original and real than this. You see rap isn’t just about making rhymes or throwing punchlines, it’s about education and information, a different kind of spoken words said over a beat which is meant to enlighten, inspire and elevate the audience, that is rap and that  is exactly what this project is all about.

M.I. took us on a personal journey on this album, a journey into his life and struggles, things he had dealt with and the media doesn’t even know about it, things many Nigerian youths are dealing with and can’t talk about it. Now it is really hard to say what inspired this album, could it be the state of the industry like he pointed out in You Rapper Should Fix Up Your Life or the fake love some artiste show or even the unfair constant criticism from the media like he pointed out in Another Thing! Don’t Be A Groupie which is the fourth song on the project, maybe it’s just the poor state of mind of African in general like he pointed out in Do You Know Who You Are? Take Some Time To Mediate On You.

One song that people should really listen to his the second song titled Last Night I Had Dream About Hummingbird, this song talks about self-doubt, which is one thing a lot of youth are struggling with in Nigeria today, the need that you need someone to make you feel good about yourself, or that feeling when you feel you can’t achieve your goals because you’re scared of what people will say when you fail. Of course an M.I's album will not be complete without a love/relationship song and that is what he gave us on You Are Like A Melody, My Heart Skips A Beat which is the 6^th track on this project and Love Never Fails Unless Where There Are Prophecies Love Will Cease To Remain which is the last song on the project and the only track M.I didn’t drop any bars, just sang part of the hook.. As expected M.I did came through on these songs, making us wanting to find that one special person that will make our heart skip a beat and also making us understand relationships works better when a third party isn’t involved.

My favourite song on this project has to be the 9^th track titled The Self Evaluation Of Yxng Dxnzl, this is where M.I made the big revelation about his depression and how he has been struggling to get better and to be honest I could connect so much with this song because I was also in his shoes, I was in the that place where all I just wanna do drink, f*ck and smoke….This is another song worth listening too over and over again.

Every time I have listened to this album, the only album I can compare it to is Jay-Z' 4:44 and this is because in a way they are similar in terms of direction and how original and real both albums sound. Before I go let me set the record straight, this project shouldn’t be rated or nominated as album of the year because it will be a big disrespect rather let it be know that this project is the best rap album in the last decade, yes I stand by it and I will defend it. 

The rating for this album will be a perfect 10 and yes the production of the album is nothing but top notch, totally well produced, biggest shout out to every producer that worked on this project, you guys have won yourself a place in the history of rap in Nigeria.