Dolapo Martins is a Nigerian musician with over 15 years of activities in the musical scenes in his home country Nigeria. Popular as the band “Dolapo” with members specified in dancing, keyboarding, guitar, drumming and Dolapo Martins himself as the Lead singer.
Other members include Olanrewaju Folarin (Dancer), Adeshina Ahmed (Dancer), Olukotun Opeyemi (Dancer), Aminat Olafusi (Dancer), Jolaosho Titilayo (Drummer), Tinubu David (Drummer), Shodimu Abiola (Drummer), Ezekiel Temitope (Drummer), Timi Greg (drummer), G piano (keyboardist), Kelechi (bass player).
Dolapo has severally said he derived his craft from his father, an upperclass Jazzman in France— during some live performances. And that background waxed his son’s knowledge on Music.
The Afrique-Soul is a melodious invention by Dolapo Martins—in which he combines knowledge of western tunes to the elements of native tones and languages. His songs are mostly in his native language (Yoruba), and this enables him to stand out from the crowd.
Afrique Soul is a fusion of Afro beat and soul music. Tuned with emotional vocals, from Dolapo Martins— who happens to be the lead singer of the band “Dolapo”. The sound reflects as a bridge between Afro beat and soul with classifications such as jazz, and afro house.
The band “Dolapo” tells their stories, daily experiences, and dreams with ease—through the sounds they compose. In October 2022, Dolapo kicked off his career with the launch of an EP titled “Akoko.” Which falls under the Afro Soul bringing alive rhythms mastered by the selected few such as Asa, Bez Idakula, and Ego.
The cover itself features an image collages of Dolapo as a boy at the bottom layer and above presents Dolapo as an adult. Merging both images, bringing alive a combination of old and now—indirectly telling the sound has been in him from time.
Akoko is the first EP from Dolapo Martins, and it has 6 tracks in the extended play(EP). Creating a connection between each sounds if they were played according to their track-list arrangements.
The title being yoruba when translated means “The First” which has songs like “Sinmi Lemi” “Ija Ife” “Owunmi” “Iyawo” “Kole Mi” “Devil is a liar.”
Since the release numerous live performances have taken place and it is good the Lead singer voice in the songs, sound the same in his live performances, makes it an enjoyable listen to those who may want to experience a live performance.
Since it is a genre that does the work of healing and helps people when they’re going through the ups and downs of life who are likely to find comfort in the melodious rhythm of this band “Dolapo” with this Akoko EP.
What really stands out about this album is the sound quality—there were premium tools used by the sound engineers to tighten every loosened end. The producers according to sound tags in the EP were Shabba, Dolapo Martins himself and the Sound legend in Nigeria Tymix mixed and mastered the sounds. As the executive producer name is Emmanuel ayinoluwa.
The Akoko EP can be juxtaposed to the works of The Cave Men album Roots, ASA’s Beautiful Imperfection and Lagbaja We. The Sounds can be juxtaposed to the symphony of early 2000’s Nigerian Jive such as Beautiful Nubia Jangbalajugbu.
For instance, the first track Sinmi Lemi talks about the outcome of misunderstandings in a relationship, how both parties suffer from the conflict but pride hinders them from experiencing the fullness of their love.
Yet each partner recalls the good times they face, and they’re caught in a mix of working it out or letting go. The creativity in the words are easily relatable and commendable.
The next track Ija Ife, meaning “Fight for Love” presents a woven tale of English and Yoruba language, relating love to a river tides, it rises and falls but problems mostly emanated due to financial difficulties, causing disrespect.
From the sound of this song the lead singer of the band Dolapo, Dolapo Martins—tells the story asif it were a personal experience but easily relatable to everyone that has been there.
A lyric “Ai te te l’owo lati toju re, lo so mi de Omode” meaning “Because I did not attain financial stability on time, is the reason you see me as a child.” It is a bitter sweet tale waxed in this song. And the depths can be felt even by those who may have no knowledge on yoruba.
Something then switches from the two low sounds, it is the third track. “Owunmi” plainly yoruba, sweet in the mix, bringing alive the collection of various stories and desires of the lead singer. It kicked off with “Firstly, I greet you God/Secondly, I greet the people of this world/Thirdly, when I wake I hope to see my own favour” translated from Yoruba to English.
The Following lyrics were;
I desire to have money,
and see how I can use it,
Everything I do let it prosper,
Either in children, my relatives,
It is sweeting me to have children,
I feel like a bird,
To build a house,
Who wants to dance with me,
Who wants to dance with me,
This third track to me is the star of the album. Mellifluously toned to suite a situation of gyrating a wheel of joy. The prayers, the feeling of life, the gratefulness. Every one who understands yoruba will never skip this song and those who do not when translated to their hearing would key to it.
The Fourth track, is a song for those marrying. One thing I love about this EP is how every sound is easily relatable. Tells the story of a man proposing to a woman. Telling her he is now financial stable, he has a house now, has a car, and has good relatives, he promises to be loyal. She should give him a try this time, she agreed and on the wedding day, while she was being escorted by her father she was crying because she knows she is leaving her family to start a new one.
We have arrived home, we look at character before taking a wife. And she received parental blessings from her family and it is suitable for traditional marriages amongst the yoruba ethnicity or those who understand the depth of the song. Remarkably, the song has been trending in numerous marriages across Nigeria which is what caught my attention to listen to the album.
The fifth track, “Devil You are a Liar” surprisingly is in English and the chorus in yoruba. The lead singer rebuking devil and his advances whilst other members of the band serve as a back up. I enjoyed it— and would commend the band on this track.
The last track “Kole Mi” places the scenario we encounter when we suddenly cannot explain what is happening to us like difficulties. In all, similar to how Sunny Ade, Obey and Fela Kuti also influenced this type of sound with their curations of sounds. I believe the band Dolapo refined their sounds for the purpose of birthing a new genre.
This EP is a mastermind and reflects class, it would remain in season for a very long time without dying out. I just wish it was longer, it was too short and too good, roughly 30mins in sum of the tracks in the EP album, which I feel other songs could have been added to lengthen the goodness.
