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Draft:Naked (Darey album)

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  • Comment: Thanks for your submission! Unfortunately, I don't believe this album is a notable topic that merits a Wikipedia article. None of the sources apart from the Vanguard interview appear to be reliable. If no other sources exist, I would recommend using the reliable source to improve the Darey article instead. Let me know if you have any questions! (please Reply to icon mention me on reply; thanks!) TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 02:14, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Naked
Studio album by
Released13 October 2015
Recorded2015
Genre
Length48:25
LabelLivespot
Producer
Darey chronology
Double Dare
(2011)
Naked
(2015)
Way Home
(2020)
Singles from Naked
  1. "Pray for Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)"
    Released: 7 July 2015
  2. "Asikò Laiye (Remix)"
    Released: 7 July 2015

Naked is the fourth studio album by Nigerian R&B and Afro-soul artist Darey. It was released on 13 October 2015 by Livespot. The album features a blend of Afrobeat, soul, and contemporary R&B genres. Notable artists featured on the album include Aṣa, Olamide, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the album includes production work by Oscar Heman-Ackah, Vtek, and Cobhams Asuquo, with Darey himself serving as the executive producer.

Background

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In an interview with Vanguard, Darey discussed the inspiration behind the track "Pray for Me," the lead single off the album, which was based on the real-life story of Nigerian music duo P-Square, who defied their father's wishes to pursue a career in music. The album also reflects Darey's desire to bring more "organic music" to the Nigerian music scene, a sentiment he expressed by noting the industry's over-reliance on commercialized, repetitive sounds. Darey cited a range of musical influences on the album, including Lionel Richie, Fela Kuti, Aretha Franklin, and Jay-Z. According to Darey, the creation of Naked was driven by themes of personal reflection, growth, and the quest to maintain a soulful, heartfelt sound in his music.[1]

Singles

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The album spawned only two singles, "Pray for Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the remix of the first track off the album, "Asikò Laiye" featuring indigenous Nigerian rapper Olamide. "Pray for Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" with the Soweto Gospel Choir, was released on 7 July 2015, and was produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah. The remix of "Asikò Laiye" featuring Olamide, was released the same day and was produced by Vtek.[2] "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" was nominated for Best Vocal Performance (Male), and won Best R&B Single and Best Recording of the Year at The Headies 2016.[3]

Composition

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The album opens with "Asikò Laiye", which borrows a drum beat from Fela Kuti's "Fear Not For Man" and talks about "how there is a time for everything and how profitable waiting can be." "Òrékeléwà" is a highlife-inspired love song characterized by its guitar riffs and Yoruba percussion. It echoes classic love songs from Nigerian music history, blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds. "You're Beautiful" blends Anglophone lyrics with Juju rhythms and includes a Yoruba refrain towards the end, celebrating the beauty and power of women while incorporating traditional Nigerian music elements. "Love You Die" is a mid-tempo song that focuses on expressions of affection and flattery, set to a call-and-response style typical of Nigerian English. "Lie To You", a low-tempo track about unrequited love, features Cobhams Asuquo’s piano work. The song’s introspective lyrics and Darey’s vocal performance highlight themes of heartache and longing. "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" features gospel influences and Yoruba lyrics, telling the story of a young man seeking success in the city and is reminiscent of M.I Abaga's "Money". "Delilah (Taxi Driver)" is a tribute to Bobby Benson’s "Taxi Driver", which updates the original narrative with a more modern context. It reflects themes of societal and moral commentary through a contemporary lens. The remix of "Asikò Laiye" adds a new dimension of street-hop to the original track, though it has been critiqued for its less impactful lyrical content compared to the main album. "Inside Of You" is a duet with Aṣa that blends soulful melodies with a suggestive vibe, exploring themes of intimacy and connection. "I Go Make Am" is a motivational track that relies on Darey’s vocal strength to convey a message of perseverance and determination, distinct from more exuberant anthems in its restrained approach. "Champion" shares the title of Nigerian reggae artist General Pype's 2010 single, and is an empowering song that might also reflect Darey’s personal or professional aspirations. Its upbeat tempo and motivating lyrics celebrate triumph and success.[4]

Critical reception

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The album received generally positive reviews from critics. David Hundeyin of ID Africa highlights Naked as a superbly crafted album, praising its exceptional vocals, delivery, production, and arrangement. The album's level of musical exploration and research is commended as phenomenal, suggesting it could be one of Nigeria's standout albums of the year. The only notable critique is that the high standard set by Naked will make it challenging for future albums to match. Given Dare Art Alade's extensive discography, however, he is seen as capable of continuing to impress with future releases.[5] The Clean Vibes described the album as a "raw expression of sound and ideas, which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of darey’s musical essence and emotions."[6]

Track listing

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Naked track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Asikò Laiye"Dare Art AladeVtek3:32
2."Òrékeléwà"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah3:49
3."You're Beautiful"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah3:22
4."Love You Die"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah3:32
5."Lie To You"AladeCobhams Asuquo4:14
6."Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)AladeOscar Heman-Ackah3:55
7."Áya Mí"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah3:26
8."Asikò Laiye (Remix)" (featuring Olamide)Vtek3:33
9."Delilah (Taxi Driver)"
Oscar Heman-Ackah3:22
10."Inside Of You" (featuring Aṣa)Oscar Heman-Ackah4:35
11."Want You Back"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah4:02
12."I Go Make Am"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah2:49
13."Champion"AladeOscar Heman-Ackah4:08
Total length:48:25

Personnel

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Credits adapted from album's back cover.

Release history

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Release history and formats for Naked
Region Date Format Label
Various 13 October 2015 Livespot

References

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  1. ^ Echemunor, Pamela (14 February 2016). "let's just enjoy "Naked" for now – Darey Art-Alade". Vanguard. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ^ Boye, Don (7 July 2015). "Darey - Asiko Laye ft Olamide, Pray For Me ft. Soweto Gospel Choir". NotJustOk. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  3. ^ Adelana, Oludolapo (9 November 2016). "Full list of nominees for the 2016 Headies Awards". YNaija. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  4. ^ "#Throwback:Darey's Naked Reveals New Sensibilities". The Lagos Review. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Album Review: Darey's 'Naked' – A Seminal Piece of Work". David Hundeyin. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  6. ^ The Lagos Review. #Throwback:Darey’s Naked Reveals New Sensibilities. Afrocritik. 14 September 2019.