A minute into the album I already knew this was a matured Sarkodie adjusting his seat on the throne. Rollies & Cigars had King Sark exerting his dominance, a reminder of who he is and who he has become.
Music is a journey of life. A transition from struggling from the corner to Rollies & Cigars and it is beautiful to watch the King in his element and appreciate the artistry.
It’s also important to not underestimate the order of the track list. Vibration with Vic Mensa has a smooth transition from Rollies & Cigars, keeping the energy and hip hop vibrations, one that we’re already familiar with due to its early release but undeniably magical with its trap elements.
Round 2! This one I was excited about! It’s quite refreshing to hear how Sarkodie sounds on a record with some of the best to do it and how seamless it is. This is basically two legends showing off! Verdict? Funky & wavy, visuals for this should be a great compliment.
Already one of the biggest songs in the country, Kwesi Arthur’s voice resonates more than ever on this record and it’s the first switch from hard-hitting HipHop to Afro rhythms tracking down the songs on the album.
Jaara has a hint of the old Sark on a funky beat with Medikal who was the best fit for this song about a significant other with funny metaphors and similes that never get old. This was satisfying mainly because Medikal is a HipHop force as well and the chemistry is unmatched.
The inspiration embedded in Married To The Game featuring Cassper Nyovest is unapologetically the energy we needed and also The Dream African Collab we actually anticipated. This one will hold the HipHop community for a long time. Visuals? Please say yes!
Songs like Whipped with DarkoVibes, My Love with Harmonize, Non Living Thing with Oxlade who did not disappoint are melody-filled songs that relax the tone of the album but keeps the intensity because well… No Pressure.
Wale captivates with RNB vibes on Fireworks, a record that is primed for international dominance. The charts will be held hostage.
“Fake is the new real”. This wouldn’t be a Sarkodie project without some bit of advice. This one was a necessary and interesting switch from Rollies & Cigars.
Versatility is the keyword, as Don’t Cry featuring Benerl has highlife elements reminiscent of Mary, relatively unknown, Benerl is captivating with a soulful performance and addictive melody.
No Fugazy is already a bop and the theme song to a movement that we know to well and also call to realness, wearing legit brands and shunning the counterfeit.
Sarkodie ends the project with a Gospel song, I’ll Be There with MOG Music who showed off why he won the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the just-ended VGMAs.
Beat selection is straight 10/10. Production on the whole project is so crisp you might forget to make that note, maybe the real reason we had to wait so long for it. Kayso, MOG, AltraNova, Beatfreaks, Jojo Farinella, Certified Bangers, Rexxie, Coublon, and Kaywa are the real MVPs.
This collection of songs on the No Pressure Album by my estimation is very deliberate move and obviously skewed towards showing Sarkodie’s all round ability to entertain, give us melodies and still be the King of Rap.
Definitely a 9/10 album just because there’s nothing like a perfect album in my opinion.
To discredit Sarkodie for his contribution to music and his image as the bedrock of Ghana music will be criminal. The No Pressure album title is one I can’t relate with because it feels like a lot of pressure for other artistes to step up their game and that’s why this review is titled “No Pressure: A King Adjusting Himself on the Throne”
