As a general rule, I don’t like mixtapes.
For one, they are often titled with too many capital letters and intentional misspellings (i.e., DJ KOOL- MIXTAPE VOL. IX: EAZY STREETZ MIX SO U CAN LIST3N IN YOUR KAARRR). *shrug*
Beyond that, while they demonstrate creativity, they too often major in studio tricks and minor in great vocals, which is not a combination that suits me. But I get that some people like to do ‘em, and I get that some people like to hear ‘em.
When I heard Onitsha was releasing a mixtape, I thought “interesting… no one in their right mind would allow a VOCALIST like Onitsha to be drowned out by beats and studio tricks… this might be GOOD.”
Cut to this morning, when I finally got a chance to reeeaaaaally listen to mixtape since its worldwide, FREE release on Thanksgiving Day.
The scene:
EJ’s in his jammies, sipping coffee… he slowly starts inadvertently bopping his head. He’s aware of music in the background, but he’s got to blog… and what is he gonna wear today?
He listens to “Holdin’ Me Down” and thinks “yep… this is dope… good job Eric Dawkins, good job Amber Riley.”
He gets to “Somebody” and, in between keystrokes on the computer, he starts playing the bridge’s chords on his air piano, a sure sign that he’s diggin’ the musicality.
He’s out of coffee, but doesn’t want to pause or leave the speakers… he decides he’ll go dry for a minute. (wow)
EJ gets to “No Woman, No Cry,” and enjoys how incredibly Onitsha gives voice to the passing of her father, and all that goes along with that, to the popular Bob Marley tune.
He looks at the clock– time to get ready, and OOPS! Need some coffee, for real.
The boppin’ turns to one of those bites-his-lip-cuz-the-groove-is-niiiice situations as “Karaoke,” featuring Drake, plays.
Enjoyment turns to sheer mirth when the iTunes hits “You.” As the verses come, he immediately recognizes them from a live stream studio session that O did back in 2009– must be a good song.
But by the end of the song, EJ began to worship. Definitely didn’t mean to– had things to do, AND the song had a beat to it (that’s a joke… worship, dear friends, is not defined by a beat or tempo. Lol)
“Why are my hands raised and why am I doing the Holy Ghost rock in my chair?,” he wondered. As he tried to answer himself, he realized he should blog about it…
See– it was one of those moments in which I was reminded that God is the giver of ALL creativity, innovation and gifting. And every now and then, I hear SUCH gifting that it smacks my face away from the giftED, and directs me upward, toward the giftER.
And I happily lost my mind for a moment, thanking God for still giving us beautiful things to enjoy in such a cursed world (that’s deep, but true– it’s gracious of Him, if you think about it). More personally, I thanked Him for still giving a dude like me– who adores music more than he could EVER express– glimmers of overwhelming musical excellence in the increasingly barren landscape of the music industry.
Back to my story– EJ had to listen to the rest of the project as he got dressed (no one wants to hear “hey, sorry I was late, but Onitsha has this dope new mixtape, and, well YOU know…”). But he did catch the Spinners sample on “Falling” and managed to scream “BRILLIANT!” while throwing a pen at his speakers. And he nearly squeezed lotion onto his toothbrush, distracted by “Try Me,” featuring Teddy Campbell… that would have been a problem.
Anyway, this is a very basic, unsophisticated way to say YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE MIXTAPE BY CLICKING RIGHT HERE.
I really do believe you’ll love it.
If you’ve already got it– can I get a witness???
This mixtape is great. I'm really glad Onitsha put out something since she hasn't dropped anything since her debut album "Churchgirl" back in 2007. Her vocals are smooth! I'm looking forward to her new album "Journey" This mixtape will hold me over. I like the fact that she chose to use different genres of music to reach other people and she still get the message out. Everything from the intro O2 whcih reminds me of Tonex's second album intro. Reintroduce yourself Lol. Overall this is a mixtape that i would've paid for.
The whole thing is great but "Try Me" is CRAZY!!!!!!! It's perfect at the end of the mixtape cuz there is no way to move on to another song after that lol
this is my first time really ever hearing Onitsha! i inquired about the tape b/c i was wondering why a christian was doin music with Drake?! boy was i ever so wrong, home girl did her thang!! love the mixtape!!!
Onitsha's mixtape is great!!! The lyrics are so heart felt that you actually forget about the original song and they ministered to me. The vocals are hot, music was rockin'. I was already an Onitsha fan, but this increased my anticipation for the new album. "O" did her thang on this piece. (sorry for the slang EJ, i've been in H-town too long...LOL). If you don't have it get it...its free...just check it out...you will not be disappointed.
Love the anecdote! LOL Love the mixtape! It's effective in ministry, and ear candy for me. I know it blesses God's heart also. Stirs up further anticipation for her next project.
I'm really not feeling it, to be honest. I'm not to hip of a "christian remix" of a secular song. Yes she is giving him the glory but while i was listening to this, I was thinking more about the original song than the words she was singing.
I like the mixtape...just like! I love Onitsha's music & was really looking forward to this mixtape. But I don't think the goodness was thoroughly consistent. I thought the lyrics were really great, heartfelt, I love that. But I was just expecting more. I still can't wait to hear her next album!
I'm listening now...I'll let you know what I think shortly....lol
yeah, i feel u.
Ok.....this girl is AWESOME!!! She's like a mix between J. Reedy and Brandy. I see why Brandy uses her for bgvs, cause she sounds so much like her. The sad part about talent like her's though, is that if she was doing straight Pop/RnB then she would be at the top of charts and everyone would be saying how great she is. I don't why we are soooooooooooo critical in the Gospel music community. (I hate that!) But Onitsha, you did your thang!!!! Just AWESOME!
Ok. I like it! I didn't think I would....but I do like it. Thanks for sharing EJ!
I agree, I do not like remixing secular songs. A literal witch showed up to my house just because God challenged me to throw away my three last secular CDs: Bob Marley, Erykah Badu and The Jackson Five. Which I did, immediately and within thirty minutes I had a visitor...You don't want to know what happened next... You can be creative and God can use you without using the world's stuff--that goes to the clark sisters, Israel Houghton and anybody else and they mama
I really like Onitsha as an artist. I think God has tremendously given her a wonderful gift and talent. I was a little surprised too when I saw some of the features, however the mixtape is amazing and I can see myself listening to it all the time. It's a feel good listen. And I wouldn't give her any slack over a secular song as long as it glorifies God and is well executed sonically. I find nothing wrong when Christian artists do that. I only have an issue when artists compromise the song to reach others. You can sang/rap over any beat or song and still glorify God by staying true to what you believe in and not being influenced. All in all, I appreciated the mixtape for what it was. It's good music at the end of the day...Thank U Lord!
First, I love the review! Second, I'm with you...I'm NOT into mixtapes and for the same reasons you mentioned. The twitter hype is what caused me to download this FREE mixtape...and I'm glad I did. Great vocals...great production. The cool thing about it is that I don't listen to Top 40/Hip Hop radio (only gospel and urban AC)...so I have no idea how the "real" songs sound...they're all new to me. I have to admit that I am a bit over the synth-pop sound in music so some of the selections don't get much play on my iPod. And anything Nicki Minaj is treated like a plague by me...saw her name in the liner notes and decided then that I wasn't feeling the song, lol. But that's not to say that Onitsha didn't execute them well...she did a GREAT job. I also have to admit that the groove to "You" made me wanna hear the boo-loving version, lol. I think I actually heard the words AFTER I got over the groove. Third, this mixtape just made me want a REAL Onitsha CD, lol...like yesterday!
Wait...I just remembered that I was familiar with Jazmine Sullivan's "Holdin Me Down". And how bout that Amber Riley?! OH MY! Where is YOUR CD?! That is all... ;-)
I know I'm late (I just got it today) I really don't like this mixtape at all. Using the secular songs are so distracting. They don't make me want to praise God they just bring me back to the secular songs which I'm trying to stay away from. It wouldv'e been nice to hear her do some gospel songs instead because these songs really don't have the anointing that I think every song ministering about God should have.So yeah this mixtape does not cut it for me.
I think Onitsha is using the mixtape format to generate intrest for her upcoming CD. Although i'm not a fan of secular songs redone, The jams like "Fallin" and "You" made downloading the mixtape worth it.She has a great voice and yes i'm sure she will be on point with her next release-Church IS STILL in the "Church Girl"!!!
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