Stroll with us as we focus on the discography of Gilbert Bani, popularly often known as A-Q.
With 18 initiatives beneath his sleeves, A-Q is prime three Hip-hop artists with probably the most invaluable catalogs in Nigerian hip-hop scene. We’re ready for God’s Engineering 3, which he promised on the Chocolate metropolis cypher which dropped ninth January 2024.
A-Q began skilled music fairly early signing his 1st report deal in 2001 with Massive Leaf Data the place he was for 2 years earlier than he began engaged on his personal in 2003.
Pay attention and Overstand Album
His 1st single, ‘(W)rap Nigeria’, produced by kraftmatics, debuted in 2004 adopted by a music video which uncovered the hip-hop artiste to the general public for the primary time. He subsequently launched a full compilation album Pay attention and Overstand on November 9, 2005.
The 15-track undertaking’s first single is the critically acclaimed “(W)rap Nigeria” which shook the Hip-Hop neighborhood. That is the album that began his Q’s journey.
Maga Should Pay Mixtape
In 2006 A-Q put out a combination tape titled Maga Should Pay Vol 1. which offered about 3000 copies. Each works didn’t get a lot radio and tv rotation due to the creating and lopsided nature of the trade on the time.
A-Q graduated in 2010 and went again absolutely into the leisure trade this time co-floating a report label ‘Hustle Inc’ on whose platform he began Black Friday Twitter Freestyles, a weekly on-line launch free of charge obtain each Friday.
This turned a trending subject on Twitter as monitor after monitor had been heavy hitters and obtained him on-line acknowledgement together with from ace producer Don Jazzy who styled him “one of many sickest rappers alive”.
The Previous, Current and Future Album
Capitalizing on the brand new hype he recorded and launched “The Previous, Current and Future” album in December 2010 which had hit singles Names, and Champagne and Rum. This album obtained essential acclaim and was rated as probably the greatest hip-hop albums launched that 12 months.
Make Your Finest Rapper Look Silly EP
Now adjudged probably the greatest lyricists on the scene, A-Q dropped an EP on December 21 , 2012 titled Make your greatest rapper look silly which most termed the EP of all EPs.
The 6-tracks ‘Make your greatest rapper look silly’ EP options AQ’s alterego – Gilbert, Vector, Morell, Boogie, Choc metropolis’s Pryse, Â Maytronomy, BaseOne, Milli Mill and a number of other others.
Make your Finest Rapper Look Silly Cowl Ep’s Tracklist
- Thoughts Fuck by A-Q that includes Gilbert and One different Individual
- Distractions that includes Vector
- A Prayer
- By no means Love U feat D-Truce, Pryse and Maytronomy
- Machine Gun Move (MGF) Feat. Boogey and Morell
- True Faith Feat. Milli Mill, Vivi tha Child, BlaqBones and BaseOne
All tracks produced by Beat by Jay besides monitor 1 (Thoughts Fuck) by Glossy Amo.
Son of John mixtape Vol 1 and Vol 2
On August 8, 2014, A-Q revamped the tradition of the Nigerian hip-hop artwork by displaying how gifted he’s with the rap style with the official launch of his mixtape Son of John,
Catch Your Sub Mixtape
On January 1, 2016, A-Q delivered dope punchlines, metaphors and wordplay on a number of the greatest beats in Hip-hop, the final monitor is nevertheless an unique monitor produced by ace Hip-hop producer Benshima.
The 5 monitor tape options BBJN and Mr. Ji who’re artistes he has taken beneath his wings to develop, he additionally has Str8 Butta’s Maka
The Definition EP
On March 26, 2016- A-Q dropped an EP, that includes solely Ghanaian rappers Jayso and Gemini,with a brand new Ghanaian dancehall sensation Scatta Bada.
In anticipation for his forthcoming album ‘Rose’, A-Q dropped this EP, that includes solely Ghanian rappers Jayso and Gemini,
Rose
On August 25, 2016- A-Q dropped The Physique of labor which the rapper claims to have been engaged on for two years noticeably has some credible An inventory options on it, Sound Sultan, Yemi Alade, M.I Abaga, Naeto C, Small Physician, Jesse Jagz, Ghanian Rapper Edem and many others.
The 17 monitor Album was solely produced By the artist very long time producer Beats By Jayy, besides monitor 17 which was produced by A-Q himself, The rapper surprisingly had A&R help from professional hiphop activist Tersoo T-Rexxx Abaagu, and chocolate metropolis boss, M.i ABaga.
Blessed Perpetually Album
On September 1, 2017, A-Q dropped Blessed Perpetually. This was one other particular providing from A-Q the place he put extra vitality in making a accomplished and dusted work. It comprised eleven lovely tracks which characteristic visitor appearances from GoodGirl LA, Yoye Massive Daddy Jayy,Wavy The Creator, Music Mash Group and Maka, who rendered good providers in making a profitable one.
From the album, the track “Blessed Perpetually” appeared as the first and one of the favourite tracks
Crown Album (with Free Kaynon)
On August 17, 2018- A-Q and Free Kaynon launched their joint album, Crown. The duo are probably the most unlikely pair to work collectively. The album was launched as we speak beneath the aegis of the Chocolate Metropolis label.
A-Q as soon as wrote in early June on his Twitter that Free Kaynon advised him he “didn’t like” him. That is what makes it extra shocking the 2 may put out a joint undertaking collectively.
Crown has 9 songs and it has a 33-minute runtime. The album was government produced by Chocolate Metropolis boss, MI Abaga.
A number of the tracks on the album embrace: “Out of this World”; “Regrets”; “Gang Gang”; “Best Rapper Alive”; “Crown”; “By Your Facet” and others.
The album options massive names: Present Dem Camp (SDC), Yoye, Chigurl, Blaqbonez, Massive Daddy Jayy, and Debbie Romeo.
God’s Engineering Album
March 20, 2020: A-Q launched his fifth solo album, “God’s Engineering”. The critically acclaimed album is considered the artiste’s greatest physique of labor to this point. It went on to win the “Finest Rap Album” on the 14th version of The Headies.
The album’s conception started in 2018 however was paused for a 12 months, after which recording resumed in 2020. Manufacturing was primarily dealt with by the late Beats By Jayy with addition from Olumba and Amos Kantiok. A-Q combined and mastered 90% of the album himself.
Golden Album
Recent off profitable the Headies award for “Finest Rap Album” with 2020’s “God’s Engineering”, A-Q unlocked a shock energy set with little to no warning christened “Golden” on could 21,2021.
The 7-track physique of labor housed collaborations from BadBoyParis & the raved Chike.
The rapper introduced the album himself that morning on his social media saying;
“Having probably the most highly effective voice in Hip-Hop proper now means I all the time need to reside as much as it. This undertaking is expensive to me, and I hope it travels far and is deeply felt by everybody who listens to it. Girls and Gents, I current to you, “Golden”
Gibert Bani aka A-Q
The Stay Report EP (with MI Abaga)
On April 15, 2020, A-Q launched his 2nd collaborative undertaking titled “The Stay Report” with M.I Abaga. The album briefly curates a number of speaking factors from a 12 months ravished by a pandemic in simply 6 songs, leaving room for particular person interpretation. It was recorded in 5 days.
The album was impressed by a tweet from a fan who wished they’d collaborate on a undertaking after their stellar performances on Q’s “God’s Engineering” and M’s “Judah The E.P.”, launched earlier within the 12 months.
The album was solely produced by the late nice Beats by Jayy, who registered his trademark manufacturing crammed with chopped-up soul samples. All three collaborators by no means met in the identical room as conversations had been made through Whatsapp.
Ethos Album (with Brymo)
August 12, 2022, A-Q and Brymo launched a brand new album titled, “Ethos”. The Album is private tales about Life, Loss and Love, A-Q excited to share the album of the 12 months with y’all.
Constructed round notions of affection, progress and loss, Ethos sees rapper A-Q and performing artist Brymo be part of forces for sobering reflections of life. Fusing rap verses with various sounds that draw from the folksy, conventional and soulful, the duo embellish this providing with private tales crafted upon Bigfootinyourface`s instrumentation.
Revelatory storytelling ensues starting from the confessional (“Household First”), longing (“Do You Ever Miss Me”), socio-political (“Baale Home”) and cautionary (“Ni Temi”) as A-Q weaves philosophical musings between Brymo’s gripping vocals.
An exploration of themes comparable to psychological well being, substance dependence and grief are folded into these ten fluid tracks, with a poignancy acquainted to each artists.
With a mixture of R&B, pop and African folks, Brymo has balanced love songs and social commentary on a string of albums.
Gilbert ‘A-Q’ Bani who was nonetheless having fun with the success of his final two initiatives; ‘God’s Engineering‘ and ‘Golden‘ out did himself on Ethos.
God’s Engineering II
Because the follow-up to the sonically different undertaking that expanded his profile in the course of the pandemic, God`s Engineering 2 is full of uncooked ideas a couple of trove of points unfold between failed friendships, modifications in standing and the inside workings of the music enterprise. On it, A-Q assumes the function of a preacher, serving the viewers a 33-minute sermon loaded with life doctrines.
Opener “Friction” is constructed on a mix of twinkling keys and sullen synths that create a solemn temper.
That frame of mind is reprised on the freewheeling “What`s Occurring”, the place A-Q declutters his thoughts with a recounting of subjects that dominated social media. Frequent collaborator Blaqbonez contributes the earwormy hook, softening the temper and emphasising the significance of FAMILY at a time when associates may double as haters.
Official Tracklist of God’s Engineering II
- Friction
- Blueprint
- What’s Occurring
- Household
- Mogadishu
- King Solomon
- PS2
- All Paid For
- Man Made
- Destiny Vs Future
- Outrospection
Flavored with soulful samples, the 11-track tape is a testomony to A-Q`s immaculate songwriting and reflective storytelling. On “King Solomon”, he will get vivid, mining his previous and slowly divulging bits of his unwholesome expertise within the music enterprise.
However because the album’s title reveals, it is all God’s engineering for Oga Gilbert Bani, whose storied historical past contains shining the highlight on Afropop`s rising voices as a label boss, a few of whom he name-checks on the gritty “Ps2”
In abstract, in case you’re requested “What number of Tasks A-Q has beneath his sleeves?“, inform them 18 initiatives deep:
Pay attention and overstand, Maga should pay, Love and cash, The previous current and future, Make your greatest rapper look silly, Son of John, Son of John II, Catch your sub, The definition, Rose, Blessed eternally, Crown (with free kaynon), God’s engineering, Golden, The reside report (with MI Abaga), Behold the lamb, Ethos, God’s engineering II.
Shalom!
Researched and Written by
Nana Samuel
Twitter Deal with: @d_watchtower | E-mail – nana@culturesince99.com
Printed on Notjustok by Idris Adeleye
