In Summary
- It took Blinky Bill six years to work on ‘We Cut Keys 2
- Mastering of this album was left in the more than capable hands of Tony Dawsey who has mixed Jay-Z’s ‘Black Album.
- The album is a box of chocolates, made with the listener in mind.
Kenyan artist, DJ and producer Blinky Bill has released his long-awaited third studio album We Cut Keys 2.
The album sees Blinky Bill continue to push the envelope once again when it comes to production, songwriting, and collaborations.
The Album took six Years
It took Blinky Bill six years to work on ‘We Cut Keys 2’- a masterpiece mixed by legendary engineer Commissioner Gordon who has won several Grammy awards for his work on Lauryn Hill’s ‘Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, Amy Winehouse’s ‘Frank’ and Damian Marley’s ‘Welcome to Jamrock’.
READ also: Blinky Bill Blinks At “We Cut Keys 2” Listening Party
Blinky Bill links with Jay-Z
The mastering of this album was left in the more than capable hands of Tony Dawsey who has mixed Jay-Z’s ‘Black Album’, ‘The Blueprint’, Whitney Houston’s ‘My Love Is Your Love’ and Jay Electronica ‘A Written Testimony’ and many more classic albums.
READ also: Muthoni Drummer Queen Is My Mentor, Brandy Maina
Track By Track Review
1.Black On the Keyboard ft Mikel Ameen
Introspective opener on some Jazz Chords and bass with UK rapper Mikel Ameen talking about life and the mental hurdles of not fitting in while growing up, produced by Blinky Bill
2. Mtaona Nikipaa
Mtaona Nikipaa is swahili for ‘you’re gonna see me fly’ and tackles self belief as performed by Blinky, and is a good blend of Electronic Music and Hip-Hop’ Reminiscent of Flying Lotus, Mac Miller,Disclosure
- Dracula
Get Up Stand Up for the times, we live in a period where so much blatant oppression is going on in the world and this is a song about Pushing back. Sounds similar to, Welcome to Jamrock-Damian Marley, Soobax-K’naan, Final Form
READ also: Shenseea Teams Up with Masicka And Di Genius On New Tune ‘Hit & Run’
- Remedy
A fun love song, perfect for a nice drive on a good day featuring Emawk on vocals and co-production. Similar to Dej Loaf – Try Me
- Get That Paper
Originally I made this hoping to one day meet Anderson Paak and finally wrote to it when I realized it’s better than waiting. Funk meets hip hop and Jazz on this track and it’s a song about getting your hustle on.
- Ajigo Township Funk
Have always wanted to make a talkbox tune and this was my opportunity to do so, inspired by my favorites Stevie, Daft Punk., Also there’s not a lot African Music that explores that sound so
It’s an exciting challenge to delve into it. Similar sound, Doin’ it right-Daft Punk, Panda Bear.
- Bon Voyage
A song about being misunderstood and the feeling that whatever you do you can’t change that notion so you let it play out as is, features rising Kenyan Singer Kasha and Production by Ghanaian Electronic Music producer Rvdical The Kid.
- Constant K feat Fuse ODG
A trip to Ghana led to a chance meeting with Ghanaian singer/rapper Fuse ODG and we made this party track and it’s been a last minute addition to the project. Where Afrobeats meets Nairobi.
9.Gangster Des Îles feat Idd Aziz
Stadium jam feel featuring a frequent collaborator Idd Aziz, reminiscent of Pa Salieu meeting Salif Keita meeting Kanye West.
- Kiberit feat Shauna Fung Yee and Jovie Jovv
Bass Heavy track with a dancehall leanings featuring Shauna Fung Yee who isn’t even a recording artist providing Sister Nancy type vocals and Kenyan Hip Hop Genre Shrap founder Jovie Jovv to land it home.
- Boss
Went to a friend’s house for drinks and got too stoned to drive home and as their driver was taking me home, he was playing some traditional Luo music and all I was thinking during that drive was ‘how have I never played with this drum pattern’, and next morning I was in the studio making this. It features Kenya music legend Maji Maji and Melkizedo.
- Compare feat Goldlink
Feels like such a FIFA song, made this tribal groove and hit up a rapper whose flow I’ve always loved, Goldlink having produced a song on his album Diaspora in 2019.
- Gong Gong
Made this beat while working with my friend and frequent collaborator Muthoni Drummer Queen, to be played loud on a good sound system. Similar sounds would be Moonchild Sanelly.
- Fanikishe feat Lisa Oduor Noah
A prayer for wins when you feel like all you’re getting is Ls featuring Kenyan Singer LIsa Oduor Noah on this future thinking exploration of Afrobeats. Similar sound would be Ojuelegba by Wizkid or Soso by Omah Lay
- Jam Now, Simmer Down (Bonus Track)
A reflection on life, living, celebrating the living and gone and yearning for a good life with loved ones.
- Voice of Kenya (Outro)
An Ode to Horns sections in Africa, and an Imagination of what A Kenyan Horn section would sound like in New Orleans and Vice Versa featuring Grammy Award Winner Owuor Arunga.
