Mr. Raw Nwanne Ends The Discussion

Mr. Raw Nwanne8

ALBUM TITLE – End of Discussion
LEAD SINGLE – Spiritual Konji
PRODUCTION – Dekumzy, Flavour, J.Martins, J-Stuntz, M-Josh, Moi’Dre, Phyno
GUEST ARTISTES – Cream, Dekumzy, Flavour, Harry B, Hype M.C, J.Martins, Minista Busta, M-Josh, Moi’Dre, Nyore, Phyno, Ransome, Ruffman, Runtown, Smartaman
DISTRIBUTION – RAWDEAL Entertainment/Rabbi P Entertainment
The other day, I was scolded by a friend for blurting out the word ‘Gbemi’ in a public place. Even though I was simply trying to call the attention of a Yoruba lady, my gal pal from Ghana raised an eyebrow in my direction; the word ‘Gbemi’ also means ‘vagina’ in her native language – Ga. Who would have ever known?
Dat N.*.G.G.A Raw (Dat Nigerian Guy Anakpor Raw) is probably the only artiste in the country whose stage name elicits censoring in more prude circles. So recently, the Abia state emcee took the bold move to remove the ‘n*gga’ in his name and place most single men’s least favourite alphabet pair – ‘M’ and ‘R’ in its stead. He then threw in the Igbo translation for ‘My Brother’, just for good measure. So ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present to you – Mr. Raw Nwanne.
Mr Raw Nwanne and I’d be the first to admit that the new name will take some getting used to, is one of the Top 5 Nigerian emcees dead or alive, in my book. His debut album Right or Wrung is a classic and its well-received follow-up Everything Remains Raw paved the way for numerous Eastern artistes to make a name for themselves today. The only problem is, since at least half of what Raw says is in Igbo anyway, there are parts of this country where I simply cannot win this argument. Nonetheless, I’d try.  Even though he dabbles into pidgin and proper English once in a while, Raw is clearly no Jay Z and he knows it. On the album’s opener Turu Ugo, he declares that despite his status in Nigerian entertainment today, his music won’t change – ‘achorom igu rap’a ka Talib Tweli and that na why Ransome no dei sound like R. Kelly’ (I don’t want to do this rap thing like Talib Kweli and that’s why Ransome, the R&B singer on the song’s hook, doesn’t (need to) sound like R.Kelly).
All that brotherly love is good and fine, but in order for EoD to succeed commercially, Raw needs singles on this album to follow in the success of Obodo and Ko Gbadun before them, and have an impact on mainstream radio. And with the J.Martin’s produced hi-life delight Hallelujah and the two-part hilarious, three-part serious, Spiritual Konji, Raw has a decent shot at achieving success outside his normal constituency once again. However, he simply won’t go far doing poorly-constructed crossover songs like the electro-inspired mess that is Let’s Party. Add that to the strange need Raw and indeed most other Nigerian artistes feel to spend one whole song on their album thanking their fans, radio stations, Tom Ikeliani, Dick Nwoye and Harry Chukwukelu, and you have two glitches in an otherwise stellar third album from everybody’s favourite Ibo emcee.
Reports suggest that End of Discussion will be Raw’s final album as the Star Quest ’02 runner-up moves on to pursue a  career in Nollywood. So with the (possible) end of an era, will this album finally give Raw the respect he deserves across the Niger and beyond? As much as I want my next word to start with a ‘Y’, I was born a pragmatist. So I’ll just concede and say that Raw is the king of his own, the best in his field and even though that has been pretty obvious for the last four or five years, this album should silence any voice still dissenting.

Source: http://www.thenetng.com/2010/11/01/mr-raw-nwanne-ends-the-discussion/