Oma Mahmud wants us to have tough conversations. Conversations we often shy away from especially through our escapist music about the allures and pull of luxury and excesses in a country that has become the poverty capital of the world. Over his next string of releases, the eccentric act, Oma Mahmud, seeks to undertake an enquiry into the state of the nation. And he kicks things right off with a Lady Donli assist on ‘Jalo‘, the first single from his next album aptly titled, “State of the Nation.”

‘Jalo‘ is also his first official release since his last album “Rockstvr,” an 11-track project released earlier this year, that guests new wave acts like DJ Yin, Prettyboy D-O, Damayo, Yung L and more.

On the self-produced record, Oma Mahmud and Lady Donli are united in crooning over the appalling socio-political state of the nation as well as the migration-centred orientation of its youths. Many have sadly given up on the deteriorating country and see migration to the West as the only viable shot at a better life. In plain street lingo, everyone simply wants to ‘japa‘.

However, the pair are sceptical of this exodus-is-a-must mindset – “Who go remain for we country o, if to say me and you we dey plan to go?” Mahmud rhetorically asks as he opens the record.

Sonically, ‘Jalo‘ is an afrobeat record highly rich in instrumentation, particularly with its heavy bassline and guitar loops. With a call-and-response chorus common in the message-laden genre, both acts come through with their reflective and pensive verses without being overbearing. The song is co-written by Ayomide Olufawo who also contributed background vocals to the beautiful record.

Enjoy the record and let us know if you agree with Oma Mahmud and Lady Donli.