Since the advent of his hit song Wowo, Minz has shown incredible potential in the industry. Known for his uncanny resilience that aided the theme of his album, Damilola Aminu has made one mark— that he’s not backing down any time soon. In a verse of off his song “Mo De Ma”, he affirmed “when I reach there I place embargo”. And I must say he didn’t lie. By Any Minz is his debut album but he pulled a variety of features which includes Davido, 225, Tekno, Blaqbonez, Moliy, Projexx, Yo Trane, Zinoleesky, Bnxn and of course, the magician behind the drums, Mike BGRZ. But how was Minz able to drop one of the best debut albums in Afrobeats?
Immediately after a stunning, life-reflecting intro, Revelation, Minz syncs us into a chill groovy song as his second track. Shadow is that type of song to make you put EarPods on, shut the door and vibe all through. The background voice in the track agrees with me when he said “ you no go dance keh, your mama.”
The third track, Wowo, is notoriously known for bringing him to the spotlight and adding him to conversations of “the next big thing”. What’s amazing about this body of work is that it includes any genre of feeling his listeners want to feel. Looking for a bedroom song? Wap is your song. OBO caught up with the vibe of the track and proceeded to drop a masterpiece. Might I say it is arguably the lead track of the album?
At the fifth listen is Diallo, of which Alhaji Tekno didn’t hesitate to choke us with dancehall vibe. The main area of focus, though, is the solid afrobeats production of 255. It’s superb if you ask me given that they’re German and were still able to pull it off. Diallo might be dancehall but it’s fuck love hurt fuck boys (like most us, hehe). Ja, on the other hand, is for girls that can twerk unapologetically. The smooth melodic tune that Minz employed is so refreshing, it might even make a grown man twerk too.
On Do, a mix of flow and ruthless amanpiano did the trick. The production to me is what stands out— amanpiano always stands out. Minz collaborated with two upcoming producers, Zen Universe & 44DB, and of course they showed potential. When Minz said “oya show me something wey i no fit do”, i think he was referring to them. Moliy ate with the eight track, “Drama”, with her melodic, vibrant rhythm. She brought the vibes all the way from Accra. Much more credit should be given to Minz’s pre-chorus and magnificent production on the track.
Every single on this project is more than just a track, it’s a story. “Lon3ly” is not an exception. It’s that type of song to put you in your feelings and still make you vibe to it at the same time. Do you recall when I said this project employs varieties of themes? Well, “F.U.” is no exception. With sensational features from Projexx and Yo Trane, this track is the kind you want to play in the bedroom and let it do all the seductive work for you.
“Low” is that low key banger that no one talks about, really. If you ever find yourself taking a drive back home from a long day’s work, I urge you play it with your windows rolled up. The twelfth track, “Sokoto” definitely broke Zinoleesky from the shackles of the cancel culture’s chain. Any club not banging Sokoto this October honestly needs to be closed. Not also forgetting “Disembark” where he took out two minutes, fifty seconds of his time to remind us that he’s not someone you want to mess with in the industry. I have to say, Minz’s aura might just be contagious.
Coming in at fourteenth place, but first place in the heart of true listeners, is “Mo De Ma (by any minz)”, the hit lead single to the album. The song gave us a taste of what to expect with the project. Mo De Ma is notorious for the motivation it gives. Blaqbonez allegedly tweeted that the song is just the daily motivation he needs. It can also be depicted that it is from the voice of the legendary Angelique Kidjo that he got his album name when she said, “Minz?…which Minz? By any Minz necessary!. More than just a pleasant melody, “Mo De Ma” is a rallying cry for everybody who has ever experienced hardship.
The last but not the least is a remix of arguably his first hit song, “Wowo”, whose impact cannot be overemphasized. Bnxn and Emeka brought their A-game and it is evident as it is his most streamed song.
Minz has put out what is probably the best debut project of the year and he has demonstrated that genuine music, whether groovy, reflective, dancehall, or sexy, is still available to anyone who wish to listen in fifteen musing and throbbing pieces.