''CKay the First'' is the second extended play by Nigerian singer-songwriter

CKay Chukwuka Ekweani (born 16 July 1995), better known by his stage name Ckay (stylised as CKay), is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa, and Atlantic Records. He was formerly signed to Chocolate Cit ...

. It was released on 30 August 2019 by Chocolate City through

Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Corp. ( d.b.a. Warner Music Group, commonly abbreviated as WMG) is an American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the " big three" recording companies and t ...

. It was self-produced by CKay, with additional production from

Tempoe Michael Chigozie Alagwu, better known by his stage name Tempoe, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he is popularly known for the tag "MÄD!", at the beginning or end of all his music productions. ...

, Real Btee, and its exclusive producer

Audu Maikori Audu Maikori (born 13 August 1975 in Kaduna) is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, social activist, public speaker and creative industry expert. He is the co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of the Chocolate City Group the mother company of le ...

. It features guest appearances from

DJ Lambo Olawunmi Okerayi, known by her stage name DJ Lambo, is a Nigerian disc jockey. Her song "Drank" was produced by Reinhard and received positive critical reviews and extensive airplay. She was signed to Loopy Music in 2013 before its merger with C ...

, BOJ,

Blaqbonez Emeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, is a Nigerian rapper signed to Chocolate City. Blaqbonez is popularly known for his distinct rap style as well as his creative ingenuity. In 2019, he was profiled by ''The New York Times'' as ...

, and Barry Jhay.

Background and release

The EP's lead single, "Way" featuring

, was released on 16 August 2019. It was produced by

himself. On 18 October 2019, CKay released the music video for "Way", shot and directed by

Clarence Peters Clarence Abiodun Peters (born 27 July 1978) is a Nigerian music video director, filmmaker and cinematographer. He is the founder and CEO of Capital Dream Pictures, a production company that specialises in the realms of the performing arts, fil ...

Composition

The opening track "DTF" was described as "saucy and bouncy". "

Love Nwantiti "Love Nwantiti" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter CKay, released in 2019 as the second track from his second extended play ''Ckay the First'' by Chocolate City through Warner Music Group. A remix of the song titled "Love Nwantiti (A ...

" is a love song with a lo-fi, resonant

Afrobeats Afrobeats (not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing), or Afro-pop or Afro-fusion (or Afropop or Afrofusion), is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and ...

sound. CKay was called "drunk in love" on the song, on which he sings "Without you I go fit fall and die, without you I go give up my life". "Kalakuta" was said to share similar adlibs to "Dapada" by

Dremo Aboriomoh Femi Raymond, known by his stage name Dremo, is a Nigerian songwriter, singer, record producer, recording artist, and stage performer. He is currently signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). Early life Dremo is from Edo State, Nige ...

and

Mayorkun Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel (born 23 March 1994), known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist. He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter. Mayorkun was signed to ...

. On the song, CKay also samples some Fela adlibs. "Way" featuring DJ Lambo is an uptempo track that interpolates Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The "prosaic" lyrics see CKay bragging about his "deluxe lifestyle". "Ski Ski" was compared to the opening of "Nobody Fine Pass You" by T-Classic. The lyrics from 34 seconds in were said to "sound like something off the Rema alley". "Oliver Kahn" featuring BOJ is another Afrobeats track, while "Like to Party" featuring Blaqbonez is a club song. "Beeni" featuring Barry Jhay was called "another standout record".

Critical reception

In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake wrote: "Again, CKay makes good songs, but most of them have very minimal 'hit' prospects. ..Throughout CKay The First, the songs are good and mostly alluring. Even the ones without allure will likely find a niche audience. The problem is whether any of the songs sound like hits. The question is if any of those songs could get CKay from C5 to B3. After all, the Nigerian mainstream is witnessing a change of guard and CKay is far more talented than most of the guys crafting hits." In review for ''Culture Custodian'', Michael Kolawole said: "This EP shows that Ckay is still a work in progress. It's an album that twists and sways, trying to find form and make a mark. The songs are vibrant and bursting in style. But they are not engaging. The lyrics are too basic to impress. The songs are tawdry radio pop fodder that won't endure the bustling Nigerian music scene. Nonetheless, it’s an improved leap from his previous effort. Perhaps Ckay might hit the bull’s eye on his next offering (that's if he puts in enough work)."

Track listing

Personnel

* Chukwuka Ekweani – primary artist, writer, production (track 2, 4, 6) *

– executive producer *Real Btee – production (track 1) *Tempoe – production (track 3, 5, 7, 8)

Background and release

Composition

Critical reception

Track listing

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References