The singer returns with a new record, and a lesson to go with it.
When Runtown dropped ‘Mad over you’, he didn’t see how instrumental that record would be to Nigerians and how it stimulated a new dominant sound formation in Nigeria for 2017.
Credit has to go to Mr Eazi who flogged the melodic, mellow Highlife sonic progression to stardom. And while he held it down for too long, and rode his moment into the sunset, Runtown showed everyone else that it can be democratized, stripped down, and reassembled for a different hit. It was his efforts at ‘Mad over you’ that created the ‘Pon pon’ wave and dominated Nigeria. From Davido to Tekno, numerous Nigerian musicians found joy within the boundaries of ‘Pon pon’, effectively transforming 2017 into a Pon Pon-fest.
Runtown himself have tried to seize the moment and extend the value of the record. Follow-up records ‘Painkiller’, and ‘For life’, achieved considerable success. But it also brought equal scorn from music enthusiasts on social media who believe the singer is fixated on a particular sound. This was interesting. It’s a tried-and-true formula for musicians to remain within the ball park of a working system to create more records. Davido’s ‘If’ and ‘Fall’ are prime examples of what can happen to you if you extend the life of records
But that’s in the past now. The singer is back with a new record, and it might be his deepest record yet. ‘Energy’, a mid-tempo record produced by Del’B carries the weight of reflection and the desires that come with being young, ambitious and focused. The Nigerian dream for many is to make money and have the freedom and happiness to spend and enjoy it with the people you love. But that isn’t the case. Mankind is curious and meddlesome, and success comes with its blessings and curses.
“I will give you what you wanting, Baby come and chop my money eh…” he begins, seeking a lover to share in the spoils of hard work. To love is to share, and to have the blessings to enable that generosity is a privilege that people go on their knees for. What’s money without the privilege of sharing it with the people you love?
But that isn’t the full story. Elsewhere, the dark forces are closing. Every blessing comes with curses, and success attracts haters. Runtown, being in his position has witnessed a lot of this. Being a superstar in Africa can be such an enviable position. But it opens you to forces seeking your downfall. He acknowledges this, but with the affirmation that these attacks will not take its toll on his personal happiness.
“So I say no man say no man can take my joy away. I just wanna get more money, and live my life my way.” he sings with emotion, before declaring his basic needs. “Free smoke, free Hennessy More life to my enemies. They wan take away the energy, they can’t take away the energy."
Being young and aspirational, we can all find parallels between our existence and what Runtown expresses on this record. Every waking moment feels like a minefield, and a wrong decision can be catastrophic, if not fatal. And that’s why he sings: “I no go lie this kind of life fit make you craze, this kind of life fit make you lose your mind.” Living can be a huge task, requiring intense focus and acumen to come out triumphant. The journey never ends, but it can either get better or degenerate into something ugly and worse. We all pray for better days. We all seek happiness and the pleasures that being successful affords us all.
And you know what can help turn every tide around, or keep a good streak going? It’s your ‘Energy’. Don’t let them take that it away from you. Don’t ever play yourself.
Runtown: Singer teaches us all a very crucial life lesson on 'Energy'
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