Bitter Sweet is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer-songwriter Majeeed. It was released on 25 March 2022 by Dream Empire Music, through Dvpper Music. Bitter Sweet is built around the early life of a Nigerian teen, transiting into an early adult. The album is a mixture of Afrofusion, and Afropop, with R&B, and Soul percussive rhythms. It was produced primarily by Majeeed, along with production from Dalor Beats, Hulla, Shugavybz, Blaise Beatz, and Mr Kleb. The EP received favorable reviews from critics.
| Bitter Sweet | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 25 March 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2021-2022 | |||
| Venue | Lekki, Nigeria | |||
| Studio | Dream Empire Music Studio | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 16:58 | |||
| Label | Dream Empire Music | |||
| Producer |
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| Majeeed chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Bitter Sweet | ||||
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Lyrically, Bitter Sweet communicate, with elements that associate with love, and romance, including unrequited love, toxic affair, and adulthood pressure.[1] Its lead singles include, "Time" released in 2021, and produced by Majeeed, and "Yawa No Dey End" released in 2022, and produced by Shugabeatz. The song was later supported with a new version with Joeboy,[2] which peaked at number 41,[1] on Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart. On 26 March 2022, the extended play peaked at number 8, on Nigeria Apple Music Top Album chart.[1] On 7 February 2024, Dream Empire Music and EMPIRE released an acoustic version off the original songs.[3]
Background edit
On 19 February 2021, Majeeed released "Time", a song he produced at Harrysong house. 6 months after, he secured a record deal with Dream Empire Music in August,[4] and began working on his debut ep. On 25 February 2022, he released "Yawa No Dey End", a song produced by Shugabeatz. With an accompanying music video directed by Kemz. He tells BellaNaija that "he makes music that heals and tells stories that give a connection to nature, on how to feel and how the world really works."[5] He further tells Chinonso Ihekire, a music editor for the Guardian Life Magazine, that "it is a true-life story. It is my reality and the same with most people. Bittersweet is more than just a project to me; it is a compilation of all my relationship problems."[6]
Composition edit
The EP opening track "How I Care" describes his feelings, and tells us how he feels about her.[7] In "No Room For Love", Majeeed has fallen for a girl and tells her to be plain with her feelings towards him, besides being found in a toxic romance, she also doesn’t seem to understand him and his circumstances fully. With a voice sample that reads (“one simple bag for a baby girl”) and Majeeed replies (“a baby girl needs love”).[7] In "Yawa No Dey End ", the project lead single boasts all of Majeeed’s trademark. He casually sings about what might kill him, like his responsibilities as a provider in a struggling economy, and his mother’s financial needs.[7][5] In "Tough Love" you can see how he processes his partner’s behavior and seeks an effortless type of Love.[7] Between "Smile For Me", and "Time", with the help of his lady before the record fades. Majeeed, we know you’re trying to hold on, and dealing with a woman who doesn’t feel like she’s getting what she deserves isn’t always easy.[7]
Other releases edit
On 13 May 2020, Majeeed released a new version of "Yawa No Dey End" with Joeboy, through emPawa Africa for Dream Empire Music. It peaked at number 41, on Nigeria TurnTable Top 50.[8][1] Its accompanying music video directed by Kemz, and was released on 29 April 2022.[9] "Yawa No Dey End" was shortlisted on The Native's songs of the day, on 29 April 2022. Chibuzo Emmanuel, who reviewed the song for the list, praised the song, and said "Yawa No Dey End is a beautiful mid-tempo highlife-inf lected Afropop record".[10]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "How I Care" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Dalor Beats | 3:34 |
| 2. | "No Room For Love" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Hulla | 3:09 |
| 3. | "Yawa No Dey End" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Shugavybz | 2:25 |
| 4. | "Tough Love" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Mr Kleb | 2:28 |
| 5. | "Smile For Me" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Blaise Beatz | 2:38 |
| 6. | "Time" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 2:44 |
| Total length: | 16:58 | |||
Acoustic Version edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "How I Care (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 3:24 |
| 2. | "No Room For Love (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Yawa No Dey End (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 2:21 |
| 4. | "Tough Love (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 3:35 |
| 5. | "Smile For Me (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 2:56 |
| 6. | "Time (Acoustic Version)" | Ekeh Chiaka Joseph | Majeeed | 2:44 |
| Total length: | 18:44 | |||
Personnel edit
- Ekeh Chiaka Joseph - Primary artist, writer, production (track 6)
- Dalor Beats - Production (tracks 1)
- Poposky Beats - Production (tracks 2)
- Shugavybz - Production (tracks 3)
- Mr Kleb - Production (tracks 4)
- BlaiseBeatz - Production (tracks 5)
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 25 March 2022 | CD, digital download | Standard |
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| Various | 7 February 2024 | CD, digital download | Standard |
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References edit
- ^ a b c d Adebiyi, Adeayo (10 June 2022). "Majeeed is paving a way for himself with 'Bitter Sweet EP'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ Ibiale, Hope. "Majeed and Joeboy collaborate to deliver 'Yawa No Dey End'". The PGM Club. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "Bitter Sweet (Acoustic Version) - Majeeed". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Dream Empire Music unveils Majeed, Verchi, Lisa Viola as new artistes". The Guardian Nigeria News. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ a b "New EP: Majeed – Bitter Sweet". BellaNaija. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ Ihekire, Chinonso (7 May 2022). "Majeed… Bittersweet Tales From Love Maestro". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Witness Majeed's unconditional love for his lady through his new EP 'Bitter Sweet'". GRUNGECAKE. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Turntable Top 50 Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "New Video: Majeeed feat. Joeboy – Yawa No Dey End". BellaNaija. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "MAJEED — "YAWA NO DEY END" FT. JOEBOY". The NATIVE. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "Bitter Sweet". Spotify. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.