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Top Boy (album)

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Top Boy
Studio album by
Spinall
Released17 February 2023
Recorded2021–2023
Genre
Length45:27
LabelTheCap Music
Producer
Spinall chronology
Grace
(2020) 		Top Boy
(2023)
Singles from Top Boy
  1. "Sere (Remix)"
    Released: 7 May 2021
  2. "Cloud 9"
    Released: 3 December 2021
  3. "Palazzo"
    Released: 13 May 2022
  4. "Power (Remember Who You Are)"
    Released: 9 September 2022
  5. "Top Mama"
    Released: 12 October 2022
  6. "Power (Remember Who You Are) (Nasty C Remix)"
    Released: 11 November 2022
  7. "Bunda"
    Released: 20 January 2023

Top Boy is the sixth studio album by Nigerian disc jockey and record producer Spinall. It was released on 17 February 2023 through TheCap Music. The album features guest appearances from Stefflon Don, Fireboy DML, Tamera, Phyno, Summer Walker, Amaka, 6lack, Azanti, Olamide, Kemuel, Niniola, Asake, TSB, Äyanna, Amaarae, Blxckie, Reekado Banks, DJ Snake, Zaiam, Minz, Bnxn, Ladipoe, Tay Iwar, Ntosh Gazi and Adekunle Gold.[1] Production was primarily handled by Spinall, along with additional production from Magicsticks, Caltonic SA, D3an, TSB, DJ Snake, The Eggman, Kel-P, NKVY, Ozedikus, Smeez and Unknown Nick.[2]

Background

[edit]

In an interview with Apple Music's Dadaboy Ehiz, Spinall explained the reason for the name of the album. According to him, "Top Boy" is "is anyone who has beaten the odds and used the resources made available to them to get from point A to point B." He revealed that *Top Boy* resonated with him more profoundly than his previous works. The process of creating the album involved extensive production, co-writing, and traveling to collaborate with various artists.

"This album is different to a lot of the albums I’ve put out in the past. This album really resonated with me on so many terms – from producing most of the tracks to co-writing, to flying here and there to find somebody – it was really that album that asked me, do you really want to do this or not? I’m glad that we’re able to answer this question after three years. It was a lot of lessons, a lot of blessings in the making. I really still wanted to put way more people on the project, honestly, but I think I’m very satisfied with where we are on the final cut of the album,”

DJ Spinall shared. The journey to complete Top Boy spanned three years, marking it as a significant milestone in Spinall’s career, filled with lessons and blessings along the way. The album features a range of artists who share Spinall's passion for music and dedication to their craft despite limited resources.[3]

Singles

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The lead single from Top Boy, is the remix of another track off his previous album, Grace, which was titled "Sere". It featured Fireboy DML and was remixed with 6LACK on 7 May 2021. The song was produced by Kel-P and was co-produced by Spinall.[4]

The second single, "Cloud 9" features Adekunle Gold and was released on 3 December 2021. The song was co-written and produced by Spinall[5] and the music video for the track was released on 21 January 2022 and shot and directed in Lagos, Nigeria by Dammy Twitch.[6]

The third single, "Palazzo", features Asake and was produced by Magicsticks, co-written by Olamide and engineered by Eskeez. The song was released on 13 May 2022[7] and the music video was shot and directed by TG Omori.[8]

The fourth single, "Power (Remember Who You Are) is a collaborative single with Spinall, Summer Walker, DJ Snake and Äyanna. It was released on 9 September 2022 along with its music video and was produced by The Eggman, Spinall, DJ Snake and Unknown Nick.[9] The record was mixed by Dr. Dre, Dos Dias and Quentin Gilkey, engineered by JB Made It, and mastered by Brian Gardner.[10]

The fifth single, "Top Mama" is a mid-tempo Amapiano song featuring Reekado Banks, Phyno and Ntosh Gazi. The song was released on 12 October 2022 and produced by Spinall, Caltonic SA and NKVY. The video was directed by The Alien.[11]

The sixth single is the remix to "Power (Remember Who You Are)". It was released on 11 November 2022 and was remixed with South African rapper Nasty C.[12]

The seventh single, "Bunda" features Kemuel and Olamide. It was produced by Ozedikus and released on 20 January 2023. The music video for "Bunda" was directed by TG Omori.[13]

Critical reception

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Top Boy received generally positive reviews from music critics. The Native Magazine praised Spinall's Top Boy for its sophisticated production and diverse collaborations, highlighting Spinall's growth as both a producer and curator. The review commended the album's balance between musical evolution and intentional imagery, describing it as his most accomplished project to date.[14]

Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria highlighted Spinall's Top Boy for its successful blend of Afrobeats and international sounds, noting Spinall's strategic move to broaden his appeal beyond Nigeria. The review praised the album’s use of Amapiano and diverse sonic elements, emphasizing its cohesive, party-ready tracks and Spinall’s ability to integrate various genres while maintaining a strong Afrobeats foundation.[15]

Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku of Afrocritik praised Spinall’s Top Boy as a testament to his skill in curating diverse and genre-crossing collaborations. The review commended Spinall's ability to blend Afrobeats with international influences, highlighting standout tracks like “Cruise,” “Just To Be,” and “Everyday” for their production quality and innovative sound. While some tracks were noted as filler, Spinall's overall talent in assembling and producing the album was recognized. The review also celebrated Spinall's strategic use of global collaborations, including artists like 6LACK on "Sere (Remix) and Dr. Dre as a mixing engineer on "Power", to push the boundaries of African music.[16]

Track listing

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Top Boy track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cruise" (featuring Azanti and Zaiam)
Spinall2:32
2."Everyday" (featuring Minz)
Spinall2:29
3."Give Me Love" (featuring Niniola)Niniola Apata
  • Smeez
  • D3an
3:46
4."Cloud 9" (featuring Adekunle Gold)
Spinall3:08
5."Oshey" (featuring Bnxn and Stefflon Don)
TMXO2:29
6."Top Mama" (featuring Reekado Banks, Phyno and Ntosh Gazi)
  • Spinall
  • Caltonic SA
3:28
7."Honest" (featuring Tay Iwar, Tamera and TSB)
  • Spinall
  • TSB
3:02
8."Palazzo" (featuring Asake)
Magicsticks3:06
9."Bow Down" (featuring Amaarae)
Spinall2:03
10."Outside" (featuring Blxckie and Ladipoe)
Spinall1:52
11."Just to Be" (featuring Amaka)Jessica NwokikeSpinall3:24
12."Bunda" (featuring Kemuel and Olamide)
  • Desmond
  • Kemuel Emmanuel
  • Adedeji
Ozedikus3:34
13."Sere (Remix)" (featuring Fireboy DML and 6lack)
3:14
14."Power (Remember Who You Are)" (with Summer Walker, DJ Snake and Äyanna)
  • Spinall
  • DJ Snake
  • Unknown Nick
  • The Eggman
3:34
15."Power (Remember Who You Are)" (Nasty C Remix; with Summer Walker, DJ Snake, Äyanna and Nasty C)
Spinall3:41
Total length:45:27

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ Bada, Gbenga (18 February 2023). "DJ Spinall speaks on new album Top Boy". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  2. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (17 February 2023). "Spinall drops highly anticipated album, 'Top Boy'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ Bada, Gbenga (18 February 2023). "DJ Spinall speaks on new album Top Boy". The Nation. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  4. ^ Shabangu, Nobantu (17 May 2021). "Nigeria's DJ Spinall Adds 6lack On The New 'Sere' Remix". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  5. ^ Akagbu, Amber (3 December 2021). "Spinall Teams Up with Adekunle Gold for Vibrant New Single 'Cloud 9'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  6. ^ Lindsay, Ed (21 January 2022). "SPINALL ft: Adekunle Gold - CLOUD 9 (Official Video)". Wordplay Magazine. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  7. ^ Shehu, Idris (13 May 2022). "DOWNLOAD: DJ Spinall, Asake combine for 'Palazzo'". The Cable. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Asake Is Here To Stay and Palazzo With SPINALL Is The Proof You Need". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). 13 May 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Spinall, Summer Walker, DJ Snake, and Äyanna Join Forces for New Single and Video "Power (Remember Who You Are)"". Complex. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  10. ^ "SPINALL, Summer Walker & Äyanna Want You To Remember Your Power". OkayAfrica. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  11. ^ "SPINALL Releases 'Top Mama' Featuring Reekado Banks, Phyno & Ntosh Gazi". OkayAfrica. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Single - Power - Remember Who You Are [Nasty C Remix]". African Music Library. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  13. ^ Helfand, Raphael (20 January 2023). "Spinall shares new song "Bunda" feat. Olamide and Kemuel". The Fader. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  14. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (10 March 2023). "Review: Spinall's Top Boy". The Native. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  15. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (22 February 2023). "'Top Boy': Spinall takes his talent to the world stage [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  16. ^ Olowofoyeku, Yinoluwa (20 February 2023). "DJ Spinall Attains Lofty Heights with "Top Boy" Album". Afrocritik. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
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