Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company

Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company
Studio album by Jesse Jagz
Released March 28, 2014[1]
Recorded 2013-2014
Genre Hip hop
Length 65:00
Label Jagz Nation
Producer
  • Jesse Garba Abaga (exec.)
  • Shedrach "Shady Bizniz" Ishaya
  • Chidozie "Dugod" Ezeogu
  • Ibrahim "Ibro" Pashi
  • Bolaji "Phazehop" Williams
Jesse Jagz chronology

Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come
(2013)		 Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company
(2014)
Singles from Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company
  1. "The Search (Radio)"
    Released: May 15, 2014

Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company is the third studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz, released by Jagz Nation on March 28, 2014. As the executive producer of his third studio project, Jagz enlisted Shady, Dugod, Ibro and Phazehop to assist with production. The album consists of samples ranging from Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" to excerpts from movies such as Network (1976), Scarface (1983) and Johnny Mad Dog (2008). The album features guest appearances and recording samples from Fela Kuti, Tupac, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Tesh Carter, Jumar, Dugod, Sarah Mitaru, Rexx and Show Dem Camp.[2][3]

Background and release

Jagz started creating the album by recording a mixture of ideas for two months. After the two months period, his team sifted through the music and selected the album's final tracklisting. Jagz chose the album's title to sensitize people about their history. Jagz said he made the album for his core fans. He describes the album as two steps above Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come. Jagz said he wanted to stay away from reggae influential sounds because of sentimental reasons. He hopes people find healing from the album, and wants people who are hurting to find comfort in it.[4] On 17 March 2014, the album's cover art was released to the general public. It was inspired by René Magritte, and is symbolic of a man standing with a fruit and apple blocking his face. The concept behind Magritte's work revolves around revealing one thing and hiding something else. The man in the cover art is holding different things that symbolizes the culture of Nigeria.[4] Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company was initially meant be a mixtape and was initially titled The Transfiguration of Jesse Jagz.[1][5][6] On 28 March 2014, Jagz made the album available for digital streaming on SoundCloud.[3]

Album launch concert

On August 2, 2014, Jagz held the second edition of The Jesse Jagz Experience Concert at the AGIP Recital Hall. Jagz tagged the concert as "The Greatest Concert" and performed alongside a 16-man Hip Hop orchestra band.[7]

Composition

Jagz's third studio offering starts with "Louis", a song inspired by American boxer Joe Louis. On the song, Jagz raps about one finding their inner strength. The song is a mixture of rap and Rastafarian styles. On "Jargo (Ain't Nobody)" featuring Tesh Carter, Jagz samples Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody". On the song, he raps about the dynamics of a complex relationship. Jagz samples a popular riff from Fela Kuti on "Sunshine". The lyrics of the song contain "Loopy Bars", a J-Town style of rap. On "The Search (Radio)", Jagz blends hip hop and jazz sounds together. "Supply And Demand" is a throwback song with a New York pounding flow that is reminiscent of 1995 and the East Coast circa. On "Sunrise (Shine On)", Jagz samples a dialogue from the 1983 crime drama film Scarface. On "How We Do", a song with a menacing beat, Jagz samples spoken words from Tupac.[8][9]

Jagz samples one of Howard Beale's speeches on "Louis". The sample starts at 5:00 and ends at 5:42.

“ I want you to get mad! I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot. I don't want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first, you've got to get mad. You've gotta say, "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!![10][11] ”

Singles

On May 15, 2015, Jagz Nation released the album's lead single "The Search (Radio)" featuring Jumar and Dugod. The music video for the single was directed by J.O King. It was uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 5 minutes and 31 seconds.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Nigerian Entertainment Today [8]
Lobatan [10]

Upon its release, Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company received positive reviews from music critics. Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying: "The Royal Niger Company is a rap album that doesn't seek the approval of radio or Alaba. It was made with the intent to please hard rap lovers. Because of this, the album has no 'wow' moments that can make it a chart success. The entire album feels so laidback compared to Thy Nation Come's 'high' feel. Royal Niger Company is an album for rap fans to chill and relax to, and it is a project that makes us truly wonder if Jesse Jagz isn’t truly the greatest."[8]

Brandon Bridges of Lobatan gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying: "The album plays by no rules and subjects to no compromise which may be intended for public acceptance, thereby making room for mediocrity. The general theme of ‘The Royal Niger Company’ Is not a newly applied road of thought. It is somewhat typical, consisting of rapper narcissism (however deserving in this case), thug loving, the come up and success, staying in the game, slight jabs at society and industry…..the whole shebang, and quite a number of movie references. Jagz Nation Vol.2 is a magnificent show off, a mere statement, that Jesse Jagz is not a student of the game, but the author of the textbooks."[10]

Tracklisting

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Louis"  Jesse Garba Abaga 6:44
2. "Jargo (Ain't Nobody)" (featuring Tesh Carter and Chaka Khan)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Tesh Carter
 4:27
3. "Oceans And Lakes" (featuring Sarah Mitaru and Dugod)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Sarah Mitaru
  • Chidozie Ezeogu
 4:43
4. "Sunshine" (featuring Fela Kuti)Jesse Garba Abaga 5:44
5. "The Search (Radio)" (featuring Jumar and Dugod)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Chidozie Ezeogu
  • Jumar
 5:20
6. "Supply And Demand"  Jesse Garba Abaga 6:35
7. "High-Life" (featuring Rexx)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Rexx
 7:00
8. "Sunrise (Shine On)"  Jesse Garba Abaga 6:43
9. "The Case" (featuring Show Dem Camp)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Show Dem Camp
 6:01
10. "The Window" (featuring Jumar)
  • Jesse Garba Abaga
  • Jumar
 5:07
11. "How We Do" (featuring Tupac)Jesse Garba Abaga 5:46
Samples

Personnel

  • Jesse Garba Abaga - Executive producer, writer, composer
  • Shadrach "Shady Bizniz" Ishaya - Producer
  • Chidozie "Dugod" Ezeogu - Producer, featured artist
  • Tesh Carter - Featured artist
  • Sarah Mitaru - Featured artist
  • Jumar - Featured artist
  • Rex - Featured artist
  • Show Dem Camp - Featured artists
  • Ibrahim "Ibro" Pashi - Producer, mixing, mastering
  • Bolaji "Phazehop" Williams J Barz - Producer, mixing, mastering
  • Wilfred Crackaz Peter Bass Guitar - Live instruments
  • Progress Hopeman Guitarist - Live instruments
  • Adu Edu Bassey - Live instruments
  • House of Zoe Africa - Management, visual production, covert art
  • Ogbannaya "Signor Chuksy" Chukwudi - Art director, Graphic Design, Photography
  • iola Creative - Styling
  • Damimola Alabi - Cover Art Model

Release history

Country/Digital platform Date Version Format Label
  • SoundCloud
 March 28, 2014 Standard
Jagz Nation

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "New album on the cards for Jesse Jagz | News24 Nigeria". News24.com.ng. 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  2. ↑ "The Miseducation of Jesse Jagz - "Jagz Nation Vol 2: The Royal Niger Company" | FuseFuse | Explosive Entertainment Everyday!". Fuse.com.ng. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Segun Pryme. "Album Download: Jesse Jagz – Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company". Infonubia.com. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Jagz Nation Vol.2: The Royal Niger Company". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  5. ↑ Opeoluwani, Akintayo (25 March 2014). "Jesse Jagz To Drop New Album, 'The Transfiguration of Jesse Jagz'". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Jesse Jagz official album art for Jagz Nation Vol.2: Royal Niger Company | News247.com.ng:Nigeria News Updated Every Minute". News247.com.ng. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  7. ↑ Wemimo, Esho (17 June 2014). "Gear Up For The Jesse Jagz Experience 2014.". Pulse. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Tayo, Ayomide (6 April 2014). "Jagz Nation Vol. 2: The Royal Niger Company [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  9. ↑ Sholadoye, Dada (13 April 2014). "Album Review: Jesse Jagz - Jagz Nation Vol. 2 – The Royal Niger Company by Dada Sholadoye". 360nobs. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Stroke of genius,spark of rebellion: A review of Jesse Jagz’ RNC". Lobatan Africa. 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  11. ↑ Michael E. Eidenmuller. "Movie Speech from Network - Howard Beale is Mad as Hell and He's Not Going to Take it Anymore!". American Rhetoric. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  12. ↑ Akan, Joey (15 May 2014). "Watch Jesse Jagz – The Search ft. Jumar & Dugod". Pulse. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

External links