Meluse Kapatamoyo
23 January 2005
"IF you don't stand for something you always fall for anything and that's what separates me from all the foolishness. A lot of people wanna be like Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, or Jimmy Hendrix. I wanna be like me man, I don' t wanna to be like nobody. Am here to take my place as a legend."
These are words from the man Chisenga Katongo a.k.a C.R.I.S.I.S. whose debut album Officer In Charge was released last week. Despite being the first hip-hop album unleashed on the Zambian market, the album is already receiving a lot of support from hip-hop fans who have waited this long for the artiste to put his work together.
The opening song, Words, Beats And Life let's you know from the very beginning that the whole album is a real commentary on issues that affect the social well-being of society as the song gives insights on the past, present and the future lifestyles.
Officer In Charge, like most all hip-hop albums, is not without self-praise. And probably the artiste does have a reason to praise himself as his debut attempt is nothing but impressive.
Apart from featuring a host of new but talented good rappers, he also features the likes of JK and exile whose contribution to the album will impress the fans even more.
Featuring prominently on songs such as One day and more especially I Wanna Know, JK will surprise every listener with his English ragga and R&B lyrics added to the song. Those who mistakenly thought JK was only good fin his mother tongue, will undoubtedly, have to rethink their position after listening to the song.
Exile, who appears on a number of songs on the album, will leave you totally amazed at his unexploited rap talent that sounds more like famous American rapper Eminem.
Songs like G.P 2 the studio and Robin Hood (Get Paid) are tracks where he has prominently featured now being heavily played on radio station.
Get paid as the song is popularly known, takes a stab at Zambian musicians. C.R.I.S.I.S says the song is a fun way of asking his fellow artistes to recognise him as their equal, despite the difference in the type of music they sing.
However, his major impact is being felt in the song Freedom of Speech in which he addresses social issues affecting the country. The song is a special dedication to all politicians who fail to live up to their word after being ushered into public offices.
And then there is the party track Do Da Uhh! !! which is an eye opener for people that like to watch while politicians take wrong turns on matters that affect the people.
Keepin' it real is a simple song that talks about being true to oneself regardless of circumstances.
The hardcore, bumpy tunes of Good foot, Lock it down, I wanna know and Da Team will most likely turn into club anthems that will keep every hip-hop fan and new convents on their toes.
Bedrock, a track which features newcomer Levins is full of energy as the singer's vocals are unleashed.
Bedrock, a fusion of rock, R n' B and hip- hop, pays tribute to music and all the legends that include Myles Davies, B.I.G and 2Pac who have inspired C.R.I.S.I.S in his music career.
The poetic love tune With you part one which features Jon Woo & part two which features the sharp but enticing voice of Nalu, are the only two love songs on the album, although the words "Shorty" and "Chicks" to represent women are mentioned a couple of times in other songs.
Above all C.R.I.S.I.S must be highly commended for having taken the initiative to warn fans in advance about the explicitness of certain songs on the album. He has put a clear label on the right hand bottom side of the cover reading "Parental Advisory Explicit Content". something we are yet to see from other local musicians.
Officer in Charge executively produced by the rapper himself, Ben Mpolokoso, T.K and Nicole Lindsey , is already receiving international recognition with the track "Bedrock" now featuring in a compilation album called "FM Coverdisk" done by Future Music Magazine in the United Kingdom (UK).
Could C.R.I.S.I.S be that man music fans have waited for to put Zambia on the international scene with his classy rap music?
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