Rappers, Ghost and Tec, who together make up the musical duo Show Dem Camp, have been performing together for over ten years and are well known for their ability to blend Hip-Hop and Alternative music styles. The rap duo is most renowned for their constancy in releasing fantastic, amazing bodies of work and having the guts to release two strong projects in 2019: Clone Wars Vol. IV (These Buhari Times) and Palmwine Express.
Popularly abbreviated as SDC, they are recognized as one of the most reputable music duos who just sip water, mind their business, and thrill our ears with their music. With the release of their tenth studio album, Palmwine Music Vol.3, they have garnered a lot of respect over the years and have managed to establish themselves as rap kings.
The third installment, Palmwine Music Vol.3, completes the trio that comprises the Palmwine Music series. The album follows the theme of love and relationship, brushing the edges of the dating pool that involves drama, toxicity, infidelity, and the likes in Lagos City. It is yet another example of Show Dem Camp’s impeccable rap styles and beautiful storytelling bound together by the melodies of instrumentals and their rap vocals.
Palmwine Music Vol.3, which consists of 14 songs and three comedic sketches, is further uplifting thanks to features from artists whose musical tastes are perfectly in line with the album’s concept; musicians like Oxlade, Tim Lyre, Mannywellz, and Bellah team up on the project. The album’s structure is modeled around the call-in segments of a typical Lagos radio station, which are frequently amusing but also contain elements of reality.
The best part of Intro is Nsikak David’s guitar playing. Folu Storm, a radio host, also contributes, and together they get us ready for the journey into the love and relationship album before diving into Head Over Heels. Victony’s swaying vocals and Show Dem Camp’s rap ability boost the song and serve as a reminder of how laid-back and calming SDC’s songs typically are. Even though the album has only just begun, Ghost and Tec’s rap are already engaging in an unanticipated drag, which Ghost fuels with increased ferocity.
In Live Life, where SDC includes Tems on, the throw-in idea of experiencing life to the fullest is stressed. The song is turned around by the Grammy-nominated artist’s repetition of the line “Live Life,” which is authenticated by Show Dem Camp’s unwavering flows. Here, Tec shines above Ghost, and it’s thrilling to wait to find out who is superior.
The First Time Caller skit features comedian Ebiye Victor. He complements Folu Storm’s OAP tone with his natural mischief and humorous commentary as his query touches on relationship trust. The following skit track depicts the truth of people breaking up with their partner over obscure reasons and justifiable reasons by having pretend callers call in to give their reasons for doing so.
Once more, it’s Ghost’s turn to crowd the rap, and who knows—it might be a purposeful act at this point. In his vocal performance of Mine Alone, falsetto king, Oxlade, creates the ideal love song. His effort at the song’s hook is brilliant, and in addition to being memorable, it is mind-blowing due to the beat’s production by Spax, who also produced all of the songs on Palmwine Vol. 3.
We’re not sure if Show Dem Camp and BOJ were singing about women and living stress-free or about love, but Keleis the kind of song you want to hear on a cool Sunday while ignoring all of life’s problems and concentrating only on the strings and percussion. A song that is built on comfort and nice vibrations is where BOJ’s skill rests; his presence on the track was exactly right. Speaking of drums and strings, TOBi’s Rolling feature has more strings than drums, and the rift of the guitar adds a compelling element to the song despite SDC’s rap flow.
A word of caution: if you’re still reeling from the anguish of your partner’s betrayal and heartbreak, don’t listen to Wyw. You’ll tear your eyes out. Show Dem Camp excels at narrating stories and composing music with their rap patterns in addition to having great rap skills. While Ghost and Tec rap about being called the bad guy in a relationship even though they are not, Bellah brings another perspective of the guy being the bad guy for hurting her and she sends him off with only negative vibes: “I hope she cheats on you/I hope she makes a fool of you/I hope she carries belle for your friend.” It’s intriguing to listen to the song because it tells two sides of two stories. Another song that talks about hurt and pain is Bad Design, which features WurlD and M.anifest. WurlD’s vocal is melancholic and in tune with the rhythm and chords.
Feel Something, featuring Tim Lyre that reflects on toxicity and betrayal while yet craving it, shows where Tec was on a roll. Perhaps Tim Lyre is the only one in need of such shoddy affection, as Ghost puts it when he states that it’s “flights over feelings”.
Freaky is not as freaky as the title implies; don’t be fooled. After the song is over, the word “freaky” is still stuck in my brain, and that is the Mannywellz effect—he sings in a drag style, and his chanting will stick in your head. Although the beat is not as we thought it would be, Ghost’s penmanship is naughty as he raps about making a woman’s “toes curl”.
Lojay has perfected the art of delivery and is quick to grab your attention from the beginning to the end of a song. His and Show Dem Camp’s melodies are seductive in the ideal dancehall song, Your Love. In his description of his losses as a Yoruba demon, Tec claimed, “Freed a couple babes/omo had a couple losses,” but as a married man, we assume he has put up his boots or handed the reins to Ghost.
Apollo, OldFlame, and If It’s Love are still advancing the cause of love. Tay Iwar is a master of languid love songs with a hint of toxicity, and it is not surprising. On OldFlame, Nesta’s singing and the rapping of Ladipoe and Show Dem Camp help to depict a love that is difficult to let go of.
With its clear Yoruba culture threaded throughout, No Regrets conveys the message of thankfulness and life reflection. The song’s feature of Moelogo creates a transcendent scene. There was no better way to wrap up the Palmwine Music Trilogy and Palmwine Music Vol.3.
It is Show Dem Camp’s thoughtfulness and excellent production, not just their consistency in releasing songs that make each release enjoyable. Spax earns his flowers because this body of work, which heavily features saxophones, percussion, and strings, is a timeless composition with good chemistry between the featured musicians and the rap duo.
Listen below
Leave a Reply