The Nigerian trap scene, while still an emerging bubble, is certainly expanding daily; with new artists on the rise boldly dabbling in the genre. Needless to say, gratitude is owed to the new generation of Nigerian youth for this feat. Among these acts is multi-genre recording artist and record producer, Majik; a new kid on the block whose distinctive sound is set to propel him to the forefront of the scene, it’s just a matter of time.
Born Ibukun Oyewumi, the 22-year old began rapping at the age of 17, eventually taking up production at age 19 when faced with difficulties in attempts to find the beats he wanted. Majik only ended up becoming a full-fledged recording artist upon losing his passion for schoolwork. Months of dabbling in production and refining his artistic craft resulted in his 2019 self-produced debut offering, ‘Slide’; a catchy trap cut delivered over thrumming guitar strings and pulsing synth chords. Without a doubt, this effort certainly portrayed him as an artist with a firm grip on his creative process.
Now back with a follow-up release, ‘Pull Up’ is a loose-lyriced, downbeat, trippy trap anthem; characterised with pulsating hi-hats and an almost inaudible yet somewhat ethereal synth progression (think Travis Scott’s ‘coordinate’). ‘Pull up when I’m in your ends like – YEAH’, he suggestively raps, depicting a casual sexual acquaintance stemming from a bad break up and fuelled by some liquid courage. ‘Let’s get cozy but as friends now’, he reminds his acquaintance of what this is; just a link up. Throwing in playful rhymes, Majik further indicates what’s in store for his interest once they meet, ‘Drop a pin and I’ll put any events on hold/Pull up with the ruler/Make you curl them toes’. However post-relationship heartbreak, he’s only here for a good time, not a long time (‘But I’m not the one you can depend on – no’). Upon stating these conditions, Majik lets his interest know if she’s down, he’s down, ‘You say yes and we can finally/Get these plans on’ (a consent-seeking king!)
Observing both singles the budding trap star has offered, his versatility seems limitless. While ‘Slide’ offers a more bouncy, feel good rhythm, the Utibe-produced ‘Pull Up’ delivers a druggy, psyched-out tempo, punctuated with Travis Scott inspired ad-libs. Majik’s end goal is to ‘make music that outlives him’. ‘I try to channel my energy, whatever I’m feeling into my music, so when I’m gone, it’s still going to be there for anyone who’s feeling the same way’, he admits.
Influences from veteran producers, Kanye West and Timabaland and inspiration from his peers on the local scene are evident in the confident delivery portrayed in his music. While describing the current state of the Nigerian trap scene, Majik assertively states, ‘There’s too many talented people, it’s crazy. And collectively we’re doing this for the guys coming after us so it goes full circle eventually.’ Following this release, his trajectory to the top is certainly en route, hang on tight for more from him.
