- Intro
- Big Boy Rap
- Talking To You ft. Banky W
- Spartans
- Your Girl
- Kick You
- Follow Your Heart
- Hip-Hop
- Imperial
- Fiyah Burn
- My Skin Is Black
- Bush Girl Tush Girl
- Forbidden Love
- A Hero Comes Home
- Nine
- Crazy
- Mathematical Sege
- Green Passport (Remix)
- The Game Needs Me
- Still Love You
- Outside
- Death Blow (Coup De Grace) Part 1
REVIEW:
This is certainly the most anticipated album since the birth of Hip-Hop in Nigeria. And just about the time fans started singing praises of M.I’s chart burner album, Modenine released “The Paradigm Shift” to change topics on forums and blogs from M.I is the best to Modenine does it better. Currently the album is receiving so much response sales wise from real hip-hop heads in Nigeria and Modenine himself was quick to point that out on his myspace page ID. That is an indication that people hasn’t been passing on this magnum opus. The era of hip-hop touch carriers fearing album sales is over because Modenine’s album is selling like hotcakes. The album might have not sold 30,000 copies in 30 minutes but it is surely moving units and it appears to be doing well on the charts.
The Paradigm Shift is all about changing the face of hip-hop in Nigeria and the correction of emcees misrepresentation of the art form. Modenine rebelled against the exploitation of the culture by commercial artists who has diluted the music with their solvent choruses. All the way from track 1 – 22 the album takes a radical stand against gimmick in hip-hop. You can’t help it but to bend an ear to the words that keeps bouncing off the kicks and drums of a five mics production. The album is certainly a blueprint for upcoming emcees, a dummies guide for wannabe rappers in the industry. Unswerving is the perfect word to describe his unchanging approach – a blend of creativity with dexterity, something he uses astutely when he express himself while delivering his sometimes hard to comprehend messages.
The album is also a game winner for Modenine with tracks like “Death Blow” and “Talking To You” differentiating him from his adversaries. The metaphors on the aforementioned tracks hit hard in the face without hitting below the belt. His wordplays will drop your jaws like that picture a baby setting eyes on a perfect cleavage. “Death Blow (Coup De Grace) Part 1” is the track Modenine used to settle the score between him and his eminent rival “Ruggedman”. He wasted no time in spreading out some of Ruggedman’s dirty clothes for the world to see. He also laughed at Ruggedman’s usage of head warmer in Nigeria; we all know head warmers are used to cover the head in order to retain the heat we normally lose especially those in the cold temperate regions. Modenine is probably waiting for a reply from Ruggedman before he dishes a part two of the track.
The paradigm shift has an element of change on almost every track. And it seems the will be United States president “Barack Hussien Obama” has a little bit of influence on the album. Modenine was calling out for change; a change that hip-hop really does need before it extinct without an evidence of existence. Just like Barack Obama reached out to every race on the face of earth so did Modenine reached out to his International supporters with the track “Outside”.
The album starts with “Big Boy Rap” a track that laid out Modenine’s master plan of putting Nigeria on the hip-hop map. Skillery was the word Modenine invented while in the process of firing his verbal artillery, I am sure within a short space of time that word will be added to the urban dictionary. “Talking To You” followed and it shows that Modenine can be rough and rugged when forced to speak out about his quiescent industry wars. The track sure does put a halt to all the bellyache that Modenine is being discreet when it comes to mentioning names of his adversaries. “Spartans” will remain on the playlists of hip-hop heads with the rapid release of lyrical bullets over a 300 sample. The track should not be referred to as the Battle of Thermopylae that was retold in the 2007 epic movie. “Your Girl” and “Bush Girl Tush Girl” showcases Modenine’s flirt other side that isn’t seen on the daily basis and he also referred to himself as a bed room bully, I guess ladies will have to pay Modenine a visit to find out if Modenine is truly what he claims he is. “Kick You” , “Nine” and “Crazy” put imposters in check and he also issued a strongly worded warning to might be haters that he is battle ready for whatever they bring his way. “Follow Your Heart” deals with the entrapment of artists in the music industry and how artists dumb it down for sales and in return lose their initial identity. The tempo of the song is a bit soulful with the pleasant-sounding voice of Eve on the background.
“Hip Hop”, “Imperial”, “Fiyah Burn” and “A Hero Comes Home” all reassure hip-hop die hard fans who believe lyricism is getting replaced with a lot of repetitive verse-chorus slush. An interesting note on “The Reconstruction of Hip-Hop” and most importantly what must be done before hip-hop ends up like a train wreck. Modenine also portrayed himself as the savior of the culture from the hands of ringtone artists. The combination of the three tracks makes you feel like you are in a court session witnessing the sentencing of ringtone rappers for committing musical crimes.
“My Skin Is Black” conveys a message against inferiority complex something that has been programmed into the brains of the black nations since the slavery era. He tells black people to be proud of their blackness and that they should be able to stand up anyway and represent the color of their skin. And that black people should stay firm because we are in the black years.
“Forbidden Love” talks about how Modenine receives mad love from the female fans even when most are unacceptable mainly because they are underage or married to their heartthrobs. A smooth track that shouldn’t bore you, it also a 3 a.m worthy track something you listen to with your eyes closed while under the duvet.
“Green Passport (Remix)” has all the information’s of how Nigerians are treated by foreign embassies in Nigeria. The track that was used by Modenine to share his travel experiences, a common thing that happens to every Nigerian and how immigration officers at entry points of western countries treat holders of the green passport.
The production on “The Paradigm Shift” can stand shoulder to shoulder with any mainstream material out there. Its lyrics can also be cavernous for those that can’t relate to what he is saying. Modenine is definitely a force to reckon with as far as hip-hop goes in Africa; you must have noticed that Modenine likes to cross boundaries, mingling hip-hop with reggae with a clear intention to exercise his musical knack. The paradigm shift is a typical example of how lyrics should be written and how it should be delivered to bring on different states of mind. The usual metaphors, punch lines and wordplays you’d expect from a Modenine album are all present in this masterpiece. The only different thing is that Modenine set the bars so high for his industry counterparts. Jesse Jags production was outstanding and the album stands out in the midst of other competitive albums.
The Paradigm Shift has sure made Modenine a household name in the game. The word “change” can be use to describe Modenine’s revolutionary spirit. And every lyric on the album defines Modenine as a wordsmith. He put forward to the listeners the issue of gimmick in hip-hop and what needs to be done to revive originality. The album felt the magic hands of talented producers that help to get his messages out successfully. The Paradigm Shift is an instant classic something that was designed to remain in CDs and MP3 players for a very long time, and the effect it has on its listeners will be discussed from decade to decade.
RATING: 4/5
Tags: Banky W, Gidi, Jesse Jagz, Modenine, Nigeria, Ruggedman
habdoul
7th Jan, 09
oooh mode9ine ur real plainmain mc
atanderson
1st Feb, 09
i guess mode hit it right with this, except for the fact that everybody’s listening to this album looking out for the diss tracks and any other allusion to the haters he be beefin’, you know, all the lyrical vendetta. yo mode, this is one of your most outstandin’ fan and i doubt it very much if there’s anyone who knows the lyrics of your songs more than i do, from Malcom ix the mxtape to e pluribus unum. the track i really felt was ‘nine’ produced by jesse jags, hello, is that guy dope or what. ‘bush girl tush girl’s nice too! mode seems a bit mushy with this, considering! anyway’s big ups, job well done, except for one little glitch, bro, your hooks aint catchy, i mean when compared to stuff like ‘rock on’, ‘elbow room’, ‘lagos state of mind’, and other stuff from your previous works, what’s up? anyway, respect, peace!
atPizzo da lyrical praxis
13th Feb, 09
for a head like me who understands the game and appreciates creativity, i think Mody was spectacular. this is one dude whom has stood on his grounds, i read a couple of reviews and it hurts to read from this vutures who know nothing about hip hop rating the art form for us. i got no problem with Ruggedy but here is someone who is comming at Ruggedy for the first time in Naija, i dont see any reason why people are getting so emotional about the whole thing, especially when writing reviews. i expect Ruggedy to brace up to the challenge with his controvercial like atitude we know him with. as long as am concerned Modenine is holding it down for Nigerian Hip hop.
atMontanaGrey
14th Feb, 09
The Paradigm Shift has firmly put Naija on the Hip-Hop map, PERIOD!!!
atThere was no Hip-Hop in Naija until the emergence of Modenine. He is in a class of his own and no MC in Naija comes any way near him. Simply put, The Mode is Naija’s only true Hip-Hop avatar!
It’s not just in his rhymes and beats but in the way he lives his life. The Mode’s 3 Albums are 3 more reasons to be proud of being Nigerian…
Huey
14th Feb, 09
Who else in Nigeria can flip words this nice if not the one and only Mathematical Sege and permit to cross the boundary here, some US emcees can’t even stand shoulder to shoulder with Modenine. He is simply in his own world and he is living it well without doubt. 1000 gbosa for Modenine…
atcollide
26th Feb, 09
i hav been a modo fan since genesis…since d days of it’s about 2 get ugly.all ya punka** ni**as can keep on running ur mouths, if u cant relate to what modo is saying den yall need brighter grammer. .and whats the thing about he aint gat no cash? pleaaaaase. na una be im bank manager?. nigerians are so gullible they r beclouded by make beleif.he has been constant, active ,strong to survive the venomous,politrick striken naija music scene,with 3 lyrically acclaimed lps…..olodo people wont feel U,modo JEUN LO.
atSegun
25th Mar, 09
I’ve been into Hip Hop since 1984 (yeah, I’ve been around a while) during the B.Boy era, to Gangsta, to Feelgood Eastcoast, Southern etc. All this while, I became disillusioned with the overcommercialisation of Rap music.
atI have not bought any Hip Hop CD in the last 8-10 years. That all changed last month, when I got Modenine’s The Paradigm Shift. Mark my words: this will go down as one of the best 50 Hip Hop Album of All Time! (not singles, but full LP- albums)It’s a Magnum Opus to a Master of his craft.
Well done, Mode!
PS: I’ll be at your show this weekend
jorge
31st Mar, 09
this album is not he bomb as people are saying ..it is simply the best piece from a nigerian in a long ttime.side by side asa…then nigeria is in the music map…grammy sooner than later
atscotty
4th May, 09
Mode is not man enuff to mention ruugedman’s name in any of his songs and we all know that almost all the tracks in the album talks about rugged and the album is not even enjoying airplay. if rugged had been the one that sang track like death blow we all know how massive it will hit the streetz of naija, just like ehen so the beef is not working for him and the hardcore rap he’s doing here in naija. mode should go to rugged and learn how to do commercial cos hardcore is not selling in naija. ruggedybaba always the best.
atCatalyst gizzle3
31st May, 09
I wonder what runs thru d mind of myopic dumb nigerians who cant see beyond em nose. Rhythm And Poetry is the basic of rap music. If we understand what true and real hiphop means, then we’d understand that modenine is the only true and real hiphop emcee in Africa. At least for those in limelight. Money is not all in rap music (who says modey aint got dat paper tot i saw him pull outta his suv. Wit all d glo ish? Plsss) krs one(knowledge reigns supreme over nearely everyone) aint got a whole lotta dough as 50cent but we all know who is better. For the records, krs one ranks 5th on the mtv greatest emcees of all time behind nas, rakim, big, 2pac and jayz respectively. Rugged man is good but as modey puts it “i’m bigger than u lyrically 4get about size” rug headed baba loss 4 where modenine stand. Bigups modey and thumbs down 2 all dem bubble gum and telletubies gawffers.
atchekwube sharmma ogadi
3rd Jun, 09
hi bros, you are one of the best rapper in the world that is why i call you my number one man.bros mode i have a rap proposal that i believe it will take rap song to grater height in naija, please i will like you to mail me back thanks yours truly chekwube s ogadi. 07032613591
atchekwube sharmma ogadi
8th Jun, 09
hi bros,i believe all is well you have not reply my mail that i sent you please i am waiting for your mail thanks yours number one fan .
atOnochie
24th Jun, 09
‘this Baba, that Baba… when a-diss-a-Baba its not ethiopia’.
atwhat a punchline! Paradigm shift – 40% diss, 10% party material, 10% naija, 100% hip-hop!
i’m one crazy ruggedman fan, but in terms of rivalry, mode scored big on this one. Nevertheless, rugged man’s ‘bangin’ had some good response &i guess it has started yet.
mode’s only success have been ‘one amongst many & paradigm shift’ albums but rugged has pulled three successive album successes. However mode really knocked some balls on this one.
Hip-hop aint dead in naija (modenine)
Hip-hop is better with a little naija (ruggedman)
obinna okpala
27th Jun, 09
hey mode, u r doin a good job. i was one of the first guys to get ur album last december. i love all the tracks there. but i want all this dissing to stop. i can imagine atrck like this. ruggedman ft mode 9. dosent it sound nice. pls u guys should settle and give us good raps TOGETHER. u r really good. i’m also expecting something from u and MI.
atbig bayne
6th Jul, 09
modenine is like the greatset yall heard
atprojikt nine
6th Jul, 09
yo s’up the super lyricis mode ninnzy still sitting on the throne forever.no matter what.loved the coup de grace,hip hop,myskin is black.i also did a song like that.hola
attruliewezt
6th Jul, 09
Paradigm Shift is the best Hip-Hop album in Nigeria and Mode 9 is the King of the Jungle. We can’t get sentimental or let ruggedman pull his headwarmer over our faces, that guy aint true to the game. He is a commercial toy. If rugged ever tries to go back to real hip-hop he will become a pauper. Staying real is what mode 9 is while rugged is selling his soul to commercialism.
atFlames
17th Jul, 09
All i can say is Modiso is my model now i know i don’t have to sell my lyrical soul for riches. Ruggedman watch out for my diss track.
atRay
19th Jul, 09
There’s no need 2 argue we all knws dat Mode is d best in 9ja, bt wot am xpetn in d nxt album is collabo with MI.
atRay ray
21st Jul, 09
Scotty git ur self off ruggedmans dick abeg oh
atay.lyricals
27th Jul, 09
To da brodas n the fans, nine is definately d bomb. i hav personally absorbed the skillery word into ma personal dictionary. nine is a mentor to more mcees than he may expect. rugged inclusive becos nine made him switch 4rom pidgin rap.
atSwaggahLord
1st Aug, 09
Long neck lik a guinea fowl! Na who b diss?! Death blow b my best track. Big up man
atsnegoviksukablyat
2nd Aug, 09
hello
atim new on this forum….
hola2ndey
8th Aug, 09
a stictch in time will neva save u from modenine..he is simply the best competition is bubble gum
atjide babatunde
16th Sep, 09
I love the album. Great lyrics competent music. simply great. I’m proud of my brother!
atHendrick Chinedu
18th Sep, 09
Mode9, I am proud of U, Naija rapgod keep it real,
atHiphop hurray!!!
dedami-deja-vu
22nd Sep, 09
modenizzy you’ve been the boomb like Hiroshima since you did your 150 bars,that was years ago, but lets ask…have you seen anyone doing betta in 9ja?, i wont mind a collaboration btw you, mi, ice prince and jesse jags.i can tell you a stitch in time can never save you from mode9
atwhizzo
26th Sep, 09
Mode9 wht else can we say, guyz have u heard 090909 mix tape I rhink Mode is far far ahead this dude is too good,paradigm shift is a very nice album Bush Girl Tush Girl wht a track from the lyrical genius.Bt right nw I’m listening to the 090909 mixtape I love “I was there” in the mix tape so also nite b4 i drop my shit wht about an hamless fling and a host of other tracks. Mode wht will hip hop be like without u. Jesus Christ of Hip Hop
atD' gold
17th Oct, 09
he his good, the best, the nija’s calls him the darkest, but still give them the easiest, and hearth worming, cooling, joking and fatancy lyrics that make ur hips leaves…..from ur bone, to ur soul,………………………u are DA BEST……………D’Gold”true talk”…….Pirate pls don’t carry does lyrics…….se gbo ti yin
atefe
2nd Nov, 09
i knew mode wen i was in abj now am in lag pls tel me who is beta dan my mentor(mode 9) pls bros do reply me dis message of mine cos apart from bein a bros wo inspire me alot u ar simply the bea among the rest…….boys ar not smiling
atKevin Tita
3rd Nov, 09
The album is dope, but that Rugged Man diss made me not to buy the album
atvincent
24th Nov, 09
just wana say d paradigm shift’s a hell of an album. Comin 4rom a 9girian i mean. “MY SKIN IS BLACK” Notin like u MODE9
atwilliamz
13th Dec, 09
this is just another case of Nas and Jay-z.
atand at the end the person with mo’ cheddar laughs last…So mode 9 had better devise a way of staying true and making money…
I’m really strait outta d hood n hopin to make that cheddar one day n cant help but being inspired by rugged…cz at d end its really all bout the #
who dyu rather be?…KRS ONE or WILL SMITH, NAS or JAY-Z, GANI or DANGOTE, MODEY or RUGGED…..
Anselm Okpotu
22nd Dec, 09
Bigup everytime mode,i love all dem lyrical pon di spinjazz,mody-mode him ar-di original hip hop dagard,all marsis who ar pass thru dis me wan unuh nah say,raster aldityme say who Jah bless is no man man caus,keep your style blazing we dey atarak
attboy
31st Dec, 09
baba modey, na u bekoooooooo
atMyke vandal(kd)
6th Feb, 10
Dumb williamz comparin artist witout doe against doze wit doe. I’ve known d mode sinze wen he used2use d moniker Dr nineistein way back@rythm94.7 abj. Got a kollectn of all hiz albumz n mixtapez . Mode iz da truth n 4 da clueless mode9 iz shakespearian. U remind me of scarface dawg,catz out here are feelin u. Fuck collaboz men, just show n prove
at