Folabi Nuel 'Bobibi' details the three stages of romance; Acknowledgement, Pursuit and Commitment.
Since his debut in 2017, Folabi Nuel has been a constant name in gospel music especially as a young worship Minister. His live rendition encapsulates a heightened level of passion.
2017 'Good God', 2018 'Good God Deluxe', 2020 'Hunger from our heart to yours' (Live), 'Songs from my bedroom' 2022 'Revival is in the air' have followed a consistent trajectory.
By his latest body of work 'Bobibi' is a far cry from his usual.
Released two days after his wedding and dedicated to his wife Gbobori.
This EP would slightly deviate from his popular worship-esque music. It is Folabi Nuel's debut effort at documenting the elephant in the room that is romance in the Church.
The concept of love would undoubtedly be familiar with him, as a recently married man. But in regards to his artistry, it is a foreign concept.
The Starting Point
'For You'
'For you' is from a man who has no shame in professing how invested he is in his woman. And like Jacob he is ready to put in double efforts to get what he truly desires.
Folabi references and personalises the popular concept of fluttering of butterflies in one's belly. It's cliché, but it doesn't take away from the fact that it is realistic.
All of these are layered on a percussion driven instrumental with a sprinkle of the traditional talking drum.
'Perfect'
If there ever needed to be a soundtrack to paint the scenario of two people, walking hand in hand on a lonely road, exchanging convincing glances and hearty smiles. Then it would be 'Perfect' by Folabi Nuel featuring Johnny Drille who excellently furthers the conversation with his dose of raspy vocals.
It's a song about unending commitment.
'Falling in love'
The high life direction that has a tinge of the South African synthesised horns, of this song is for a particular narrative; The story of a man (Folabi) who needs the help of a pro (Timi Dakolo) to 'convince' a woman that his feelings are valid and absolutely free of any form of .
' Be mine'
The best song on this project is the one with Remii.
With a levelheaded effort at evoking the emotions that R&B music is capable of, Folabi and Remii both sing from the standpoint of men who have left the Valley of indecision and have been transported to the Mountain of surety.
And so they ask maybe one of the most important questions a woman might be asked in her lifetime; 'So would you be mine?'
'911'
911 is not a call for an emergency rescue. But, it is a clever way of showing appreciation for the smiting beauty that his woman possesses.
It's the climax. It's a call for rescue for the man who has fallen recklessly in love. But the plot twist is that the medics can't put asunder what God has joined together.
Final Lap
The conceptualisation of this project was from a place of Holy matrimony.
So, expression of love in an everyday world, outside the umbrella of art (read as music), is a relatively easy thing to do, with little or no effort required.
But it's a different ball game entirely, when you have to document love in the context of a body of work, there is a required range of sub-topics, cadence, production ambience and appropriate collaboration.
In order of chronological arrangements, Bobibi left a lot to think about.
Ordinarily, by the titling; it starts with someone being head over heels that they could do anything 'for you' because they reckon you are 'perfect' and so they are 'falling in love' and they ask for you to 'be theirs (mine)', then it ends with them never getting over how you make them feel and so they call '911'
It is a project within the context of all that happens from the starting point of falling in love and it slowly trickles to a lifetime commitment. Although, for the first three songs, it felt like all Folabi Nuel was singing about was just falling in love. And it took 'Be mine' to slightly veer off into a different conversation headspace.
In totality, Folabi's Nuel debut at documenting the nuances of love and romance is a worthy try, especially from a debutant, deliberately straying from the stereotypes of a 'Worship Minister'. For what is worship with love?
You can listen to Folabi Nuel 'Bobibi' here
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