Kenny Sol's debut Extended Play (EP), titled Stronger Than Before, has finally arrived after much anticipation. Although initially scheduled for release on June 16, the EP dropped on Friday, June 30. As an avid listener, I am here to provide you with an in-depth review of each track. In the opening track of the EP, titled Stronger than Before, Kenny Sol sets the stage with a powerful message about the growing profitability of music and the changing attitudes of people towards it. He emphasizes the sleepless nights and unwavering dedication he puts into his craft, pouring all his emotions into his music. Kenny Sol expresses his determination to overcome any obstacles that come his way and his belief in lifting others up. The smooth flow of trumpets, piano, and Kenny's vocals create a captivating blend that sets the tone for the EP. Moving on to the second track, Enough, Kenny Sol takes a surprising turn as he claims it to be an international banger. Produced by Niz Beats, the afro beat slow tempo sets a relaxed mood. Although the song may seem off-topic considering the EP's title, it delves into the realm of love. Kenny Sol professes his admiration for a lady who holds the status of his queen, a source of inspiration, and an addictive presence in his life. He disregards envy and expresses his desire for their love story to be like an endless movie. The pre-hook's catchy melody, with Kenny adding a touch of Nigerian Pidgin, adds a playful element to the song. While it may resonate with those in love, the explicit nature of the song may not be for everyone. The third song on the EP kicks off with Kenny Sol's signature horse neigh, setting the energetic tone for the track. Produced by Ayoo Rash, the upbeat afro fusion beat immediately grabs your attention. Titled Falling in Love, this song features a collaboration with Ariel Wayz. The collaboration between Kenny Sol and Ariel Wayz is a surprising gem that proves to be a delightful addition to the EP. Kenny Sol sings about how his financial status has led him to desire a committed relationship, where he wants to be with a lady to the point that she becomes an essential part of his life, like an emoji. He expresses that his financial stability enables him to speak his mind and openly declares his deep affection for her, emphasizing that they deserve each other. The contrasting roles of the queen and the gee further solidify their compatibility, making falling in love an obvious choice. As the song progresses, Kenny Sol wonders what the lady did to capture his heart so completely. The pre-hook kicks in, and he proudly announces that he is no longer a single boy because the lady loves him wholeheartedly. This is where the true brilliance of his songwriting shines through, as he crafts hooks that are specifically designed to capture the attention of the TikTok generation. The infectious melody and catchy lyrics are bound to make listeners want to dance and share their love for the song on social media platforms. Ariel Wayz enters the track with her super melodic voice, adding a captivating layer to the song. She confesses that she had no idea about their deep connection until they both fell in love. She boldly requests to see his body, eager to explore the aspects of him that she is yet to discover. Playfully, she refers to him as Daddy, highlighting their newfound intimacy. She recites the pre-hook, emphasizing that she is no longer a single girl, embracing the love and commitment they now share. Moving on to the next song on the EP, we have what could possibly be the most viral track of the release, titled One More Time. Kenny Sol teams up with bongo flava superstar Harmonize for this collaboration, produced by Element. As expected, the beat is an upbeat afro fusion masterpiece that sets the stage for an infectious and energetic track. Harmonize takes the lead, seamlessly blending English with touches of Kinyarwanda and Swahili. He expresses his admiration for a particular lady (rumored to be Yolo the Queen, a Rwandan socialite), emphasizing her perfection and physical beauty. He becomes captivated by her presence, envisioning a future together. His plans include getting a house in Kigali and then taking her back to his hometown, Dar es Salaam. They would return to explore and enjoy the sights of Kigali, as he declares his intention to be her man. Harmonize even promises that if she shows him love like he's never experienced before, he will crown her as Konde's Queen and allow her to take control. When we reach the hook, the song takes an interesting turn. Harmonize crafts a hook that draws inspiration from the popular reggae song Let's Do It Again by J Boog. This choice adds a nostalgic and catchy element to the track, instantly captivating listeners. Additionally, Kenny Sol adds his own backing vocals, creating a choir-like effect that elevates the hook and makes it truly memorable. If you needed another reason to listen to this EP, here it is: Element, the producer of the track, surprises us with a cameo verse. This unexpected addition adds an extra layer of excitement and showcases the collaboration and creativity present in One More Time. Moving forward, we arrive at a song that many of you may already be familiar with. I'm talking about none other than Addicted, a track that has amassed over 150,000 streams on audio streaming platforms and garnered more than 340,000 views on YouTube. Produced by Prince Kiiizi, this love song showcases Kenny Sol's unique style and artistry. In Addicted, Kenny Sol narrates a love story in which he finds himself completely consumed by his feelings for a certain lady. He expresses his desire to provide her with good times and positive vibes, emphasizing that his addiction to her is a driving force behind his actions. What sets this song apart is its undeniable Kenny Sol essence. The track exudes originality at its finest, with Kenny's signature sound shining through. The addition of background vocals adds an extra layer of richness to the overall composition, elevating it to a top-notch production. Moving on to track number six, we encounter a familiar tune that has garnered significant attention. It's none other than Joli, arguably one of the most viral songs Kenny Sol has ever released. However, this version is a remix featuring Nigerian musician Peruzzi. Interestingly, it was actually released prior to the extended play in July 2022. Considering the involvement of a prominent Nigerian artist like Peruzzi, who holds a significant fan base in his own country, it is puzzling why this particular remix didn't receive as much attention as anticipated. In my opinion, the lack of widespread recognition for this version could be attributed to the alterations made to the original elements that made the song special. The beat, which was remade and sampled from the original, and the changes in vocals and lyrics may have contributed to the diminished impact of the remix. Unfortunately, it feels like Peruzzi's addition to the track did not bring anything new or remarkable. Rather, it seems that he simply hopped on something that was already good and, in a way, diminished its original charm. Despite this, it is important to acknowledge that the remix did manage to attract new fans for Kenny Sol from Nigeria and other places. While it may be disappointing for fans who were eagerly anticipating the remix of Joli, it is essential to look at the bigger picture and appreciate the EP as a whole. Kenny Sol's undeniable talent and ability to create captivating music are evident in other tracks on the extended play. So, let's focus on the positive aspects and continue to support Kenny Sol's musical journey, as he continues to create compelling and impactful songs. Concluding the extended play with song number 7, we are presented with Call, a collaboration featuring Ugandan rapper Fik Fameica, also known as Fresh Bwoy. I must admit, this track is my personal favorite on the EP, and I'm excited to share the reasons why. Right from the intro, Fik Fameica's impeccable rhyming skills immediately grab your attention and set the tone for the track. In just 10 seconds, he effortlessly captivates you, creating an irresistible vibe. Then, Kenny Sol enters with his verse, expressing his adoration for a girl whom he holds in high regard. He compliments her skin tone, her mannerisms, and adds a touch of sensuality. Continuing with a prehook, Kenny Sol emphasizes that he doesn't want to let go. As the hook kicks in, we are treated to a composition that feels tailor-made for viral TikTok moments. Kenny Sol eagerly urges the lady to answer the call, infusing the track with an infectious energy. Fik Fameica complements the song with his rap verse, showcasing his versatility. The beat undergoes changes throughout his verse, incorporating additional drums and background praises that elevate the overall experience. Fresh Bwoy adds his own flair, expressing his desire for the lady to dance for him and declaring that he will follow her anywhere. As the track progresses, Kenny Sol takes the reins once again, taking listeners on a roller coaster ride of emotions. And then, in a surprising twist towards the end, Fik Fameica brings forth some explicit content (PG-18), leaving listeners amazed and intrigued. To truly appreciate the magic of this song, you have to listen to it for yourself. From my personal perspective, I believe that Kenny Sol should have included a few more songs and transformed this extended play into a full album. The 24 minutes and 8 seconds of Stronger Than Before felt quite short, especially considering that I listened to each track multiple times in order to provide an in-depth review. Nonetheless, I must commend Kenny Sol for his exceptional work on this EP. I am eagerly anticipating what he will bring us next, as he has showcased his talent and potential through this project. Overall, I rate Stronger Than Before a solid 9 out of 10, and I look forward to witnessing Kenny Sol's future musical endeavors.
