REVIEW: AJO's No Apologies EP

Jul 03, 2016

One thing is for sure though AJO is willing to take Navio’s crown

AJO is a young and coming rapper from our dusty streets of Kampala and he is for sure one to look out for.

First time I met this guy he didn't look like a rapper but rather some office rat somewhere at Kimathi Avenue until he gave me a well packaged CD which prompted me to listen to his EP. After listening to it, I couldn't be more optimistic about Uganda's Hip Hop future.

This EP has 12 tracks but I will preview the ones that will catch my ear. No Apologies the EP is the second music project from this lad.

No Apologies is an unapologetic musical journey that lets AJO explore and exploit his freedom to express himself in whichever form he deems necessary without having to pay account to how it's going to rub off on whoever listens to it.

Family Ties

This song made me shed a tear though. It is too real and it is by far my favourite song on the whole EP and probably the best Ugandan Hip Hop Song I have heard this year. Producer Nase Avator did such a good job with this song straight from the arrangement to vocal balancing. AJO is such a lyricist and all the Hip Hop cats need to be very scared. Someone has finally come to take your money! In this song, the lad goes in so honestly talking about how he is 27 and still figuring out what to do with his life, how he blames his mother for his fatherlessness over the last 17 years and how he will never forgive his Uncle who kicked him out on one Easter Sunday in the middle of the night. Guys, go support Hip Hop by picking this guy's EP. The only song I will unapologetically score 9/10

No Apologies

This is the first single off the EP and AJO goes in so hard you might think he has seen a ghost. In fact he is very angry as he attacks all these young rappers who think they are doing Ugandan hip hop some justice. It features singer Essie who somewhat gives us a very lukewarm hook. I think she could have done better on this hook being the title track of the EP and her being the hook-go-to chic of her generation. Ajo also could have toned down on his strong language. This song is produced by Alz Analytical and Nxcco. It is very average to me. 5/10

Kamikaze 

This is a very well-produced song and clearly one of my favourite songs on the EP. It somehow took me to the bar and I envisioned myself sipping on a fine tuned Kamikaze. It is a banger this one, the most likely to hit off the whole EP. You should take time and listen to this song. It is very relevant to the Ugandan hip hop scene and AJO here uses allusions to most of the artistes in the game like Big Tril, OPU, Keko, Mo Roots, Bebe Cool and so many others. I bet you will like this one. It is produced by Nase Avatar and Martin of Urban Aksent. It is definitely an 8/10 

Aphrodite 

It is not very common of rappers pulling off love tracks but this one sounds pretty good on the ear. AJO is a good deliverer of bars and I am glad to say he didn't disappoint me on this one too. Singing about the daughter of Zeus can't be played around with so if she is not just any woman but Aphrodite, you must deliver. It features a young sweet voice of a one girl called Akongo. I think she should pursue a career in music, her vocals have space to grow. I suggest she sees Mo Roots. This track Number 3 off the EP is produced by Nase Avatar. Because of Ajo taking a risk with this one, it earns him another 6/10

Ekoskoku 

Man, this song is fire. He pays tribute to his home district of Kumi in the East of Uganda all through the song and I think this is the part that stands out in the whole song. I don't understand what the word Ekoskoku means but I didn't care. I just enjoyed the song. The beats are very well arranged and it actually sounds like real hip hop. It sounded like a song Mike Will Made It would produce. Listen to this song and you will love this kid. I can confidently score this 7/10

Freak A Freestyle 

This particular one reminds me of Classic by DJ Premier. AJO clearly is a fan. Well, I don't know if I am a big fan of this particular freestyle but it passes. He has some serious symbolism in here as he basically blows for himself and how dope a rapper he is. At some point he calls out his foes that they are literally connecting dots on a Ouija board. Meaning they just can't figure him out. It is a dope freestyle per say but not great. His energy is dope though. 5/10 

There are six other Songs on this EP and if I preview and every one of them I won't be fair to the real Hip Hop fan in Uganda and across.

One thing is for sure though AJO is one boy who has come in real hard and is willing to take Navio's crown.

His professionalism for one will take him to greater heights. I will gladly score this EP a solid 7/10. Well done brother, well done.

We can only wish him luck and hope the fans get to hear what he has to offer.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});