Tailora: befitting tribute to Suffix’s mum

Suffix’s third album, we have been waiting for is finally here. I will not waste your time with a winded introduction; I will just jump straight into dissecting it.

Kumpanje

Runs a social commentary of the ghettos, venting the frustrations, struggles. The hook is catchy, the beat bangs. Making a song didactic as it is danceable isn’t easy. Somehow, Suffix pulls this off successfully. This song will flame live performances, I can already foretell and visualise throngs of adoring fans singing along to the lines: “Zochitika ku Mpanje nje nje/njala nthenda ndi Nsanje nje nje/Khala ngati Makape” at a show. The beat selection, delivery and especially the hook are on point. I love the pun: “Tonse aku BT Koma busy ndi Nsanje”. I love how the saxophone ornaments the song.                                           

 Miracle

This song scores highly on repeatability by its beat selection, Suffix effortless delivery and Theresa Phodo’s singing. What she did on that hook is a thing of beauty. I admit, lyrically it doesn’t soar above the others. I love its cord progression, the beat, Suffix’s cadence. I can listen to this song the whole day.

Si lero

 Opens with a soft piano followed by a Violin. I love its cord progression, beat selection, the backing vocals. I love how the soft piano and violin enrich the tone of the song. The song tackles the concept of time and hope. Suffi hopes that one day the problems we face will be over. I am not really impressed by Driemo’ autotune singing. That said, I love how Suffix and Driemo seamlessly rap, and sing. How they use Si Lero refrain to a beautiful effect.

“Ululu nde sukuchoka Cancer yi ngati ndingofa/Mwina ndidzachira ngakhale and picks it up with Si lero.

Masten anga kulichete munapita ngati bodza/ kudzakuwonaniso ngakhale si lero.” I love the pound of the drums, the backing vocals on the bridge.

Dear Isaac

Suffix writes to his departed childhood, friend, Isaac. Suffi lands on the beat beautifully. He tells Isaac, the person he has become and what has become of the other people they grew up with. Kelvin Sings doesn’t disappoint with his singing. It is one of my beloved songs.

Yowe

Starts with violins, the saxophone and then the African drum. The song shines brightly on the storytelling. I love how he paints pictures with his tongue. He lets us into his world, his conversation with two adoring female fans. The lady falls for him tells him how much she loves his music; how much she wants them to be friends. First verse ends in suspense. In the second verse he bumps into another lady fan in the City Centre. His conscience is clean he tells “the little girl to go home”. Suffix, handles this song with dexterity, maturity, and vulnerability. Unlike other rappers, Suffix soars on vulnerability, one of his biggest strengths. Maggie Ka Drum lends richness to this song by her awesome singing. I love how they blend Jazz and rap.

Kulera

He raps his deep appreciation of his father’s tough love. Suffix looks back at his life with the grown man’s perspective. I love how he samples and improves an old song, Kulera. This is a song pregnant women sing at the Antenatal clinics. I am impressed by Suffix’ singing in the hook raw and heartfelt. I love its beat selection. I love the opening “My father, father, father” part. It brims with love and gratitude. Another seamless blend of jazz and rap.

Nthena

Upbeat song befitting the mood of the persona, in love and daydreaming.  A fast-paced Afrobeat with a heavy bass. Suffix dreams about his wedding. I love the backing vocals in the nthena nthena. I love the pun as he raps: “Ma flaws ako ndimawamvetsa ndine rapper/ Ma flaws anga umawadziwa ndine rapper.” This is pure art. There is not much that changes in this song, there is no musical journey.

Lighter

This song was born from his talk with his father. Suffix is chatty, laid back and playful. He loses me on the beat selection. That said, my favourite lines go: “Ati ulowe live cha ma past 2 ukang’alure/ Iwo ali busy kusakasaka ma school /Wako Umampusha adzipanga sukulu/ Wanzako kumamupopa akamakayimba m’masukulu mo of course.” Sonically, I don’t like it. If it were up to me, I would have easily replaced this one with Tailora single.

Ndikamasochera

This strikes me as a filler. Suffix exercising his artistic license, trying to unearth his singing ability, it is okay. The basic sounds forced. No wow effect, just artistic experimentation.     

Mungobwera   

If I were to choose songs where Suffix sang, I would have chosen this one. Maybe because of the piano, the cord progression and its soulfulness. You feel his heart as he pays tribute to his beloved mum, grappling with grief, pain, seeking an escape. A great piece.

Time

The personas rap their regret. They wasted time chasing dreams missed spending time with beloved ones. The main message is about showing love to our beloved ones while we have time to express it. My favourite part when Solomon raps, I love the sound of his flow.

As I close, I think this musical gem was created from a place of inspiration. It is a rewarding report of what Suffix has been through in the past two years. I love how Suffix ties up songs around the common thread-his mum. This is a proper album not just a collection of singles pretending to be an album. The constellation of stars he picked glowed brightly. A few fillers disturbed my listening experience. The album could have done without them. All in all, I thank Suffix for blessing us with this jewel of an album.