Super Sun
| Super Sun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | December 7, 2011 |
| Recorded | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genre | Alternative soul |
| Length | 57:32 |
| Label | Cobhams Asuquo Music Production |
| Producer | Cobhams Asuquo |
| Singles from Super Sun | |
| |
Super Sun is the debut studio album by Nigerian alternative soul artist Emmanuel Bezhiwa Idakula, also known as Bez. It was released via Cobhams Asuquo’s label CAMP in July 2011.
Two singles "Stop Pretending" and "Zuciya Daya" (en: Whole Heart) were released through the Hennessy Artistry series platform in 2009.[citation needed] This helped to promote the album, which was eventually released two years later. The album did well in the market, though it was hard to measure sales due to the uniqueness of the industry in Nigeria. However, Universal Music Publishing South Africa has licensed it territorially.[1]
The album's title was chosen as a reflection of Bez's words as he stated "..everybody wants to be a super star, but they've never know what kind they want to be. I want to be The Super Sun, it’s the most unique star that gives warmth, life, energy and light".
Overview[edit]
A few years before the album's release, Bez signed a contract with Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions (CAMP) with the help of producer and record label owner Cobhams Asuquo. Afterwards, he was featured as the opening act for international stars such as Aṣa, Angie Stone and Yolanda Adams. Bez also performed at events such as the Lagos Jazz Series, as well as alongside top music acts like Nneka, 2face, Mike Aremu, and South African-based Judith Sephuma.[2]
Recording[edit]
Seven songs on the album were mixed by five-time Grammy nominated mixing engineer, Ryan West. He is best known for doing hip-hop and R&B mixes for Rihanna, Eminem, Jay Z, T.I., and Usher. Nicolas Mollard, a well known French guitarist and member of Aṣa’s band, played guitar on the song "Technically". Cobhams Asuquo produced most of the song, while Olaitan Dada assisted on a few of them.[3]
Release[edit]
Super Sun was released in 2011, and includes the single "Stupid Song". The Boston Globe placed it at number 3 on its list of World music’s top albums of 2011, calling Bez a "superb alternative-soul singer".[4] Connect Nigeria called it "unusual and just a perfect blend for a debut album"[5]
Super Sun was released digitally on iTunes on 24 July 2011.[6]
Accolades[edit]
Super Sun was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album at the 2012 edition of The Headies.[7]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | Nominated |
Track listing[edit]
The following is the album's track listing.[8] All songs were produced by Cobhams Asuquo.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Super Sun" | Bez, Omolara Ayodele | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:11 |
| 2. | "Over You" | Bez, IBK Spaceship boi | Cobhams Asuquo | 3:47 |
| 3. | "Zuciya Daya" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 5:02 |
| 4. | "I Know" | Bez, IBK Spaceship boi | Cobhams Asuquo, IBK Spaceship boi | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Say" | Bez, Blaise, Cobhams Asuquo | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:15 |
| 6. | "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:21 |
| 7. | "More You (live)" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:57 |
| 8. | "This This This" | Bez, Cobhams Asuquo | Cobhams Asuquo | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Technically" | Omolara Ayodele | Cobhams Asuquo | 3:24 |
| 10. | "Stop Pretending (live)" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:04 |
| 11. | "More You" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:27 |
| 12. | "Stronger" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:24 |
| 13. | "Stop Pretending" | Bez | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:04 |
| 14. | "Super Sun (remix)" (featuring eLDee, Eva Alordiah, and Ice Prince) | Bez, eLDee, Eva Alordiah, Ice Prince | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:08 |
| 15. | "That Stupid Song" (featuring Praiz) | Bez, Cobhams Asuquo | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:13 |
| Total length: | 57:32 | |||
Personnel[edit]
Complete list of personnel include:
- IBK Spaceship boi – Vocals
- Omolara Ayodele – Vocals
- Samuel Onwudo – Drums
- Akinwande Cole – Electric Guitars
- Cobhams Asuquo - Guitars and Keyboards, composer, producer, arranger, vocals
- Bez Idakula – Guitars and Vocals, composer, arranger
- Daniel Oyewole- Bass
- Olaitan Dada – Engineer, Mixing
- Joan Ekpai- Engineer, Mixing
- Enoch – Engineer
- Ryan West – Mixing and Mastering Engineer
- Enyi Omeruah – A&R
- Eva – Vocals
- eLDee – Vocals
- Ice Prince – Vocals
- Nicolas Mollard- Electric Guitars
- Praiz – Vocals
References[edit]
- ^ "Bez Idakula Signs Music and Publishing Deal with Universal". Jaguda. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ Alonge, Osagie (24 June 2011). "Bez Set To Release Debut Album July 2011". The Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ L., Jibola (21 July 2011). "BN Exclusive: Bez's 'Super Sun' is here! – And You Get To Hear it First!". Bella Naija. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ Mitter, Siddhartha (December 18, 2011). "World music's top albums of 2011". Boston Globe.
- ^ "CN Music Review: Bez "Super Sun" Album". Connect Nigeria. July 28, 2011.
- ^ "Super Sun - Bez". iTunes. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ Mgbolu, Charles (28 August 2012). "Psquare, Bez lead Headies 2012 nominees list". Vanguard. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ "Bez - Super Sun". Amazon. Retrieved 22 January 2014.