Unlike its soulful predecessors like Rich and Famous; I Love You and Tinsel’s theme song, Fire and Ice, Praiz’s latest work, Mercy, picks up the groove right from the beginning.
Aside the brilliant beats and mixes infused into the song by producer, Password, the piece reflects Praiz’s background as a drummer and producer. The well timed snare rolls that cue the rhythm in and out of the Afrobeat/Makossa weave can only be achieved with the experience of a versatile drummer.
The song combines sounds from synth keyboard, drum sets, especially kicks, hi-hat and shaker with lavish guitar riffs that give the song a unique jazzy breeze.
Though Praiz mentioned Alomo, a popular alcoholic herbal drink from Ghana, in the piece, the song is not about booze and party a la current trend on the Nigerian music scene. Rather, it is a love song. Mercy is a lady who has taken over the artiste’s heart. Praiz used the booze as metaphor to illustrate the alcohol-like influence of Mercy’s love on him. … you feel the rhymes? Find it from 1.33 minutes on the track.
Praiz delivers the next few lines in Igbo language, suggesting that Mercy is from the Eastern part of Nigeria.
The way he plays on the dual function of the word Mercy – as a name, and – as an English noun for compassion, gives the song playfulness that flies well for a hook. It would keep replaying in your brain even if you forget the whole song.
There is a way the rhythm guitar riffs add a Makossa feel to the whole piece, speaking volume about Praiz’s musical dexterity, which he recently brought to the fore in his hit collabo with Awilo Longomba, Congolese Makossa big hitter.
The subtle voice gymnastics betrays the artiste’s heaviness on soul genre. No doubt about it, the song would colonise every DJ’s turntable and radio waves in the weeks and months to come.
The video, though highly anticipated by many fans, features Vector, Sean Tizzle, Inyanya and Timaya in cameo appearances, the expectation alone is mouth-watering. It was released dropping on May Day, and was a perfect May Day gift.
The recent work by Praiz was following his successful collaboration with Chidinma on “Sweet Potato”. The recent release made Praiz the latest act to drop a new hit track that is bound to increase listening pleasure. It is Praiz like you’ve never heard him before.
Praiz became a household name for making it to the top three in the first season of MTN Project Fame West Africa, which held in Lagos in 2008. He became an instant hit with his soulful lyrics and what music enthusiasts called “smooth John Legend-esque crooning”. His style, rhythm and blues (RnB), pitch his music between love songs and gospel music. Ever since the Project Fame days, Praiz has raised his game and now rolls with the who-is-who in the Nigerian music industry. Praiz’s selling points remain his unique voice and rich collection of melodies from years of listening to the music of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, BoyzIIMen, among others.
“Mercy” is a love song that brings sweet romantic memory. It reminds listeners of a promise of a lifetime together with one’s love interest and the early days of ‘boy-chasing-girl’ adventures. Like his earlier song, “Sweet Potato”, “Mercy” is another melodious track Nigerians need to hear.
The MTN ambassador, who had four Headies’ nominations to his credit, won the 2012 City People’s “Best Male Vocalist in RnB”. He has done collaborations with other superstars in the industry within and outside Nigeria. No one can mistake Praiz’s imprint on M.I’s “Epic” or Bez’s “Stupid Song”. Recently, he featured Awilo Logonmba, the Congolese music sensation of the “Awilo” fame in his Makossa-inspired single, “Oshe”, and there seems no stopping Praiz from getting to the top.
Praiz described “Mercy” as a song inspired by a certain girl named Mercy that was “making him go crazy”. He also said “Mercy” is a follow-up to his hit single, “Sweet Potato”. Produced by Password, Mercy’s video, shot by Patrick Ellis, is expected to drop on the night of Wednesday, April 30. Praiz is signed to Steve Babaeko’s X3Music.
Even though the new single, “Mercy” is certain to enjoy good airplay by DJs across Nigeria, you could also have it on your phone as your caller tune. So, instead of the usual boring buzz, your callers will be treated to the enticing lyrics and danceable melody of “Mercy.” To do this, from your MTN phone, simply text 70 to 4100 at a monthly cost of N50 only.
