Jidenna “The Chief” Album Review

Jidenna has gone from “Classic Man” to The Chief, and who knew he was a rapper?  Making it well known with the album’s opening track “A Bull’s Tale,” which sets the overall tone of the project, and serves as the album’s heart. “So heavy is the head of he that wears the ring/but a lion don’t ever lose sleep when it comes to sheep.”

The Chief provides a few anthems; there’s “Chief Don’t Run,” and he reassures his haters that he’s not backing down, while reiterating his awareness to all that’s going on, with “Helicopters/Beware.” The track could also serve as a double entendre to the social issues of American regarding mass killings of unarmed black men.

Jidenna credits his grandfather’s haram for his inability to commit, as he regretfully sings about the love of his life marrying someone else on “Bambi.” He creatively turns the Disney children’s film into a lullaby.  He also sings about another woman on “Trampoline.” This time it’s the good girl seen through bad eyes, because of her life choice of employment. The track also serves as strip club contribution.

Rapping about a friend turned foe on “2 Points,” and the cultural significance of the modern day “after party” on “The Let Out” is just a fraction of the albums relatable material.  Sadly, the album takes a slight dive attention wise by losing its little bit of cohesiveness. However, it manages to take the listeners on a trip into a unique world where white folks struggle with systematic oppression like blacks on “White Niggas.”

There’s moments on The Chief that leaves you trying to differentiate if Jidenna is a rapper or singer by him never committing to one music style.  However, it never takes away from the music, as Jidenna found a unique way of smoothing out the grittiness of trap music, and assisting to the genres expansion.  He brilliantly provides R&B message music, but covers it in today’s trap influence.  The Chief pays homage to his late father and is narrated by his uncle.  It remains rich in Nigerian culture, providing an African experience, as its songs tell a boy’s journey to chiefhood.

Brian Anthony  @brianthony