According to Geographical studies, there is no summertime in Nigeria, but every year Nigerians pull up in their beach wear and gyms overflow with fitness enthusiasts who want to get their perfect summer bodies and torment everyone on social media. Geography or not, summertime is celebrated every year, hence, Nigerian singer/songwriter Ogranya draws inspiration from the summertime to deliver “Festival Of The Sun” a 6-track EP that is littered with personal memories, romantic experiences, tales of exuberance and family ties. The EP which dropped on the artist’s birthday features artists like Moliy, Johnny Drille, Moelogo, Nviiri The Storyteller, Gonzalo BlaQ and production credit goes to Guiltybeatz, Sam-E Lee Jones, Member-K, Rndmbeats, and Mindsz.
A tale of a mother’s love – “My sister tell me say the day she play my music for my mama say she cry she said, something is happening to my son,” these are the opening lines of the project. An excited Ogranya tells a tale of his mother listening to one of his songs and getting worried about her son she says, “there is so much pain in his song.” So, the artist decides to start the project on a happy note and have a good time. In the next song “Abeg,” Ogranya enlists Moelogo and Kenyan artist Nviiri The Storyteller to deliver a tale about taking life easy and enjoying one’s time on earth. Determined to continue on the happy note of “A good time,” the artists sing, “Cool it down, life is for the living wahala no dey finish.”
“I’m Sorry” sees Ogranya and Johnny Drille trying to mend their broken relationships with lyrics like “I’m sorry for the times I miscommunicate, I’m sorry that I tried to throw it all away. I’m sorry that I didn’t do what’s best for you, didn’t give the best of me. Listen to me begging, I’m sorry.” They blame their excesses on being human and acknowledge their faults and they want their lovers back “I beg, you know that I can’t live without you. I bet you know that I can’t do it on my own o. I hope you know say you no fit leave me.”
A tale of love – On the Guilty Beatz-produced song, Ogranya delivers a smooth love song tagged “Brenda.” Here the artist sings about his love for his muse and how he longs to be by her side even though his friends think he is wasting his time. He sings, “I been dey your doormat, you been don commot, your neighbour dey look like as if I thief hin cloth while I’m just waiting for my lady,” about the challenges he faces just to see his lover. His lover is stress-free and he expresses his love through lyrics like, “Brenda, Brenda, you no dey give me trouble. Brenda, Brenda, I go dey here for you even if this feels dumb, but it feels good.”
The next song “Doings,” has Ogranya expressing his desires for his love interest. He highlights her most attractive features; from her energy to her body and the way she makes him feel. He sings, “Omo I de feel your vibe make we no go jonze. Make we feel alright, give a brother man peace of mind me and you synchronize/You de give me energy you de give me energy, you de give me energy.” In “Ecstasy,” Ogranya collaborates with Moliy and together they sing about being intoxicated by their lovers’ presence. Ogranya sings, “I’m feeling you next to me, sweet ecstasy. I’m feeling your energy, ecstasy” Moliy matches his feelings with her tales of her escapades with her lover “I love it when you say my name, I love it when we play this game then I go insane when you call me baby. I love it when you call me baby oh, you know your body calling me. I don’t need any complications, just me and you on vacation no time for conversations.”
With his debut album expected sometime next year, Ogranya has set a good pace with “Festival Of The Sun,” placing it as a precursor for something greater. Ogranya’s voice, songwriting abilities, well-selected features and vulnerability of his emotions make this EP enjoyable. Listen to the project here.
