Wikipedia

Cheers to Life

Cheers To Life is the second debut extended play by Nigerian singer-songwriter Majeeed. It was released on 7 September 2023 by Dream Empire Music, and EMPIRE. It was described by Daily Times, as a musical expression of gratitude, growth, and positive energy with an organic feel of Afrobeat.[1] The EP is a mixture of Afrofusion, and Afropop, with R&B, and Soul percussive rhythms.

Cheers To Life.
EP by
Majeeed
Released7 September 2023 (2023-09-07)
Recorded2022–2023
VenueLekki, Nigeria
StudioDream Empire Music Studio
Genre
Length22:03
Label
Producer
Majeeed chronology
Bitter Sweet
(2022) 		Cheers To Life.
(2023)
Singles from Cheers To Life.
  1. "Stop Nonsense"
    Released: 25 October 2022
  2. "Gbese"
    Released: 22 February 2023
  3. "Waka Jeje"
    Released: 5 July 2023
  4. "Cry (shayo)"
    Released: 7 December 2023

The EP was exclusively produced by Chimaobi C Mbataku, with A&R direction from Ramond Ifie, Charles Okolo, Bolaji Kareem, and Patrick-Ola Oyeyiola. Songs from the EP were produced by Masterkraft, Hulla, Dr Amir Aladdin, SK Baddest, Ceecee Beatz, P.Priime, Potter Anjor, and Mystro. The EP features Bnxn, Tiwa Savage, Rotimi, and Lojay, and peaked at number 34 on Official Nigeria Albums.

Background and promotion

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Prior to the release of "Gbese", Majeeed secured an international distribution deal with EMPIRE, in partnership with Dream Empire Music.[2][3] On 24 October 2023, Majeeed spoke with CNN about his extended play Cheers To Life. on the African Voices Changemakers show on My Drive episode.[4] He stated that he would love to collaborate with Rihanna and he already has the right song to record with her. He also added: "Am in a phase where am getting better and am more confident. Am going on my tour later this year."[4][5]

Singles

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"Stop Nonsense" was released as the album's lead single on 25 October 2022, 6 months after the success of his previous project Bitter Sweet. On 31 October 2022, City 105.1 FM added the song to its playlist.[6] On 30 November 2022, he released the music video for "Stop Nonsense", directed by Aje Filmworks.[7] "Gbese" was released as the second lead single on 22 February 2023, and features Tiwa Savage.[8] On 4 May 2023, he released the music video for "Gbese", directed by Clarence Peters.[9] "Waka Jeje" was released as the third lead single on 5 July 2023, and features Bnxn.[10]

Other releases

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On 7 December 2023, Dream Empire Music and EMPIRE re-released "Cry (shayo)", featuring Lojay from the project. The promotional single was accompanied by a music video released on 18 December 2023, and directed by Jyde Ajala. On 29 January 2024, the song peaked on the Official Nigeria Top 100 at number 90 and peaked on the Nigeria Official Streaming Songs at number 68.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria7.9/10[11]
Afrocritik6/10[12]

Cheers To Life. received generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Adeayo Adebiyi says: “From the compositions, collaborations, and mindset, Majeeed has his eyes at the top and this writer believes he has what it takes to play in the big leagues.” He also added: “Majeeed's vocal texture is like a Hybrid of Kizz Daniel and Sean Tizzle.”[11] In a review for Afrocritik, Emmanuel Daraloye says: “At the end of the twenty-two-minute spin, we have a body of work that further boosts Majeeed’s artistry, introducing him to newer heights, and revealing that he is a talented songwriter and an exceptional singer.”[12]

Emmanuel Esomnofu of The Native described the project as "a colourful demonstration of his unique prowess, and if there’s anyone who thinks he’s resting on his laurels, then they haven’t heard this. There’s clearly a lot of journeys embedded within the young man, and his music seems to possess the grace necessary to see them through."[13]

Commercial performance

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Cheers To Life. peaked at number 34 on the TurnTable Top 50 chart on the week of January 26, 2024.[14]

Track listing

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Cheers To Life. track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cheers To Life"Ekeh Chiaka JosephDr Amir Aladdin2:22
2."Girls Deserve More Money"Ekeh Chiaka Joseph
  • SK Baddest
  • Ceecee Beatz
2:43
3."Waka Jeje" (featuring Bnxn)
Hulla2:28
4."Gbese" (with. Tiwa Savage)
Masterkraft2:43
5."Slip & Slide" (featuring Rotimi)
P.Priime2:57
6."Cry (shayo)" (featuring Lojay)
  • Ceecee Beatz
  • Potter Anjor
2:48
7."Stop Nonsense"Ekeh Chiaka JosephMasterkraft2:37
Bonus
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
8."Gbese (EDM Version)"Ekeh Chiaka JosephMystro3:25
Total length:22:03

Personnel

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  • Ekeh Chiaka Joseph - Primary artist, writer
  • Dr Amir Aladdin - Production (tracks 1)
  • SK Baddest - Production (tracks 2)
  • Ceecee Beatz - Production (tracks 2, 6)
  • Hulla - Production (tracks 3)
  • Masterkraft - Production (tracks 4, 7)
  • P.Priime - Production (tracks 5)
  • Potter Anjor - Production (tracks 6)
  • Mystro - Production (tracks 8)
  • Ramond Ifie - A&R executive
  • Charles Okolo - A&R executive
  • Bolaji Kareem - A&R executive
  • Patrick-Ola Oyeyiola - A&R executive

Charts

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Chart (2023) Peak
position
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 50) 34

Release history

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Region Date Format Version Label
Various 7 September 2023 CD, digital download Standard
  • Dream Empire Music
  • EMPIRE

References

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  1. ^ Grace, Ihesiulo (9 September 2023). "'Cheers to Life': Majeeed shows gratitude for growth of Afrobeat". DAILY TIMES Nigeria. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  2. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (22 January 2024). "Dream Empire Music signs joint deal with EMPIRE". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ Ononye, Ifeoma (11 September 2023). "Rising Music Artist, Majeed Hopes to Strike Gold With Second EP 'Cheers to Life'". New Telegraph. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "My Drive with Majeeed". CNN. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  5. ^ Okon, Wongo (9 February 2024). "UM 20: Majeeed's 'Cheers To Life' Put Him In The AFCON 2024 Spotlight". UPROXX. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Future Sounds Vol.30 featuring Majeeed, Spy Shitta, Shaun Mbah, D Jay and more". CityFM 105.1. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  7. ^ Adeniji, Sesan (30 November 2022). "Majeeed Releases Video For "Stop Nonsense". MyStreetz Magazine. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  8. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (24 February 2023). "Majeeed taps Tiwa Savage for new single, 'Gbese'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  9. ^ "New Video: Majeeed feat. Tiwa Savage — Gbese". BellaNaija. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  10. ^ Abiosun, Anjolaoluwa (7 July 2023). "Majeeed Releases Second Major Feature Of The Year With 'Waka Jeje'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b Adebiyi, Adeayo (10 September 2023). "Majeeed basks in success in 'Cheers To Life'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b Daraloye, Emmanuel (11 September 2023). ""Cheers to Life" Review: Majeeed Taps into His Core to Release a Celebratory EP". Afrocritik. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  13. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (7 September 2023). "Essentials: Majeeed Offers Poignant Reflections On 'Cheers To Life'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Official Top 50 Albums". TurnTable Charts. TurnTable. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
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