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With a wit and lyrical IQ higher than most, and a stellar cast of players, it is unfeasible for Juliani’s full-length debut, Mtaa Mentality, not to impress. Few acts can assemble and feature such a great pool of talented singers, producers and musicians and still fully control the album, not ceding an ounce of ownership. That’s the mark of a great artist. (Read Julani's bio HERE.) 
Mtaa Mentality is a good balance album. Great religious music is juxtaposed against a socio-political conscience, club bangers placed alongside quieter more contemplative cuts, and radio friendly pop songs flanking heavier hip-hop baselines.
One of the opening lines reveals the lyrical genius that listeners are bound to encounter on the album: “Asante for keeping us in your prayers, lakini usisahau ku-buy CD and keep us in your players”
Other witty lines peppering the album include:
“Kama viti za church on Monday, vichwa zao empty” (Church on Monday featuring Astar & Michelle)
“Ni ka kutafuta mashillingi kwa mfuko ya Chris Kirubi”
“We si mtu tu, we ni screen saver kwa mind ya God - Ye Husikia prayer, si iPod”
Biceps may be a curious choice for lead single, but it’s a solid contender for one of the album’s wittiest, not to mention it features MC LC, a holdover from the great Rapp Community, local hip-hop pioneers of yesteryear. She pops up again on the banger Hela, driven by Rhyme X producer Gittx, and a real candidate for lead single. Gittx is really starting to show his hand as a great producer, and helms album opener Your Ear, whose “I want a piece of your ear ka Mike Tyson” hook is amusingly clever.
Still major production plaudits must go to former Homeboyz Productions lead man Musyoka, now with Indie Label Decimal Records who produces close to half the album. Sweet guitar licks from Izzo and guest vocals from multi-award winner Eric Wainaina make this gem the album’s most socially conscious song. The mid-tempo Ka Si Sisi, aided by keys from the region’s pre-eminent pianist Aaron “Krucio” Rimbui is smoother than lotion, as is the sleeper record on the album, the pensive Rimz Timz, which finds Juliani very conversationally musing to himself a la Tupac.
Need some more poppy tracks? Where else to turn but…Jomino Ofcourse! The production house weighs in on Mahewa and Damu Ya Yesu. The former has an awesome club banger hook, while the latter features king of the collabo, Chief’s Dunco.
Previously released favourites Mtaa Mentality and Pendo Kweli are included. The latter features Kijiji frontman Kanjii, who also appears alongside Gospel Father’s crooner Kera on the world-music tinged Stori Hii, an odd choice on any hip-hop record, unless of course your name is Common.
Speaking of odd, the highly rated Wenyeji would have done well to stay away from Something More, a sultry sweet Musyoka track that also ropes in one of the nation’s best male pop vocalists, the Votaries’ Brian King. Wenyeji’s lyrics seem incongruent and lost on a song where not only does Juliani plainly invite his listeners to salvation, the song’s hook cries “something more, kuna hope na God”. Ignore the inconsistencies there and Something More could easily be your favourite.
All anomalies aside, Mtaa Mentality is a highly impressive foray. It is inspired, poetic, funky and ultimately a cut above the rest. But you know what they say…the proof is in the pudding. You’d do well to purchase a copy and experience it for yourself. (Read our one on one with Juliani HERE ).
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» 6 Comments
1Comment
at Monday, 19 January 2009 14:51
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Sina marimz timz ma bling blings, lakini nina uhusiano na King of Kings\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"
BEST LINE EVER EVER EVER EVER!!
Huu boy ni mcarzy. Never heard lyrics ka hizo anywhere. Baraka jo!!
2"HONGERA"
at Monday, 19 January 2009 18:46
Man ur seriously blessed I need this record it shuld go platinum.roho safi
3Comment
at Tuesday, 20 January 2009 09:41
Hii CD naeza iget stores gani? I heard BICEPS juzi...walalalala!!!!
Hio single ni bad news!! Baraka jo!
4"RATING"
at Wednesday, 21 January 2009 11:40
I think the smartest thing Juliani did was work with different producers. I love the variety of the sound. I think many artists should borrow from this. I feel though i dont get to connect with Juliani one on one because the album has no interludes. Kudos though for what is definitely 2008 best album. this one gets 4 stars from me.
5Comment
at Friday, 23 January 2009 01:41
I WANT FREE DOWNLOAD...LOL!!
6Comment
at Monday, 09 February 2009 06:19
good album buddy.
Cats should buy this one. keep the conciousness alafu next time utubless na kitu harder. for the age-old fans
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