Young Preacher is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez. The album was awarded the Best Rap album in The Headies award 2023.[1][2][3]

Young Preacher
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 28, 2022 (2022-10-28)
Recorded2022
Genre
Length36:01
LabelChocolate City
Producer
Blaqbonez chronology
Sex Over Love
(2021)
Young Preacher
(2022)
Singles from Young Preacher
  1. "Back In Uni"
    Released: October 7, 2022
  2. "Fashionnova"
    Released: October 28, 2022
  3. "Hot Boy"
    Released: October 28, 2022

Background

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On October 28, 2022, Blaqbonez released his 14-track sophomore studio album, Young Preacher through Chocolate City music.[4] Young Preacher is the follow up album of Sex Over Love extended play.[5] The album included guest appearances from Nigerian indigenous artists such as Amaarae, Lojay, Blxckie, Cheque, Tekno, Bien and Takura.[6][7] It also features producers such as Tay Iwar, Jae5, Blaisebeatz, Masterkraft, Telz, Ramoni and Ozedikus.[8] The album is a mixture of Hip hop, Afrobeats and R&B. Young Preacher was among the list of the most streamed albums in Nigeria which climbed to the number 1 spot on Apple Music charts[9] and won the Best Rap album in The Headies awards 2023.[10][11] In 2022, Barcelona star, Jules Kounde hailed Blaqbonez stating that his Young Preacher album is on repeat.[12] Young Preacher album appeared on Rolling Stone's top 40 Afro-pop songs of 2022.[13]

Promotion

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Blaqbonez hosted an anti-love crusade titled Breaking The Yoke of Love to support Young Preacher on 14 February 2022.[14][15]

Track listing

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Young Preacher[16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."YOUNG PREACHER"Emeka Akumefule2:22
2."HOT BOY"Emeka Akumefule3:03
3."WHISTLE" (feat. Amaarae, Lojay)Emeka Akumefule Ama Genfi, Lekan Jnr.3:06
4."FASHIONNOVA"Emeka Akumefule2:00
5."BACK IN UNI[17]"Emeka Akumefule2:30
6."FAKE NIKES" (feat. Blxckie, Cheque)Emeka Akumefule, Sihle Sithole, Akinbi Brett3:01
7."LOYALTY"Emeka Akumefule2:28
8."SHE LIKE IGBO"Emeka Akumefule1:18
9."ESS MAMA" (feat. Tekno)Emeka Akumefule, Miles Augustine2:48
10."MAZOE" (feat. Bien Takura)Bien, Takura Tendayi3:44
11."STAR LIFE"Emeka Akumefule3:00
12."BEZOS"Emeka Akumefule2:42
13."BACK ON BS"Emeka Akumefule2:41
14."I'D BE WAITING"Emeka Akumefule3:54

Critical Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria8.9/10[18]
The Native7.3/10[19]

Adeayo Adebiyi, a music reporter for Pulse Nigeria stated that “Young Preacher is an A&R masterclass as every featured artist is not only a musical fit, but they are also strategic. Tekno has a sizeable followership across the continent and beyond that includes Drake and Billie Elish. Lojay and Amarae appeal to the Gen Z listeners that roam Pop and Alte soundscapes. JAE5 touch on 'Back In Uni' and 'Fashionova' taps into the UK scene, Blxckie is one of the fast-rising rappers in South Africa, and Bien of Sauti Sol is one of the most recognizable voices in Eastern Africa”.[18]

The Native Magazine noted that “Young Preacher is unarguably the most cohesive of his projects yet, embodying a pristine musicianship which doesn’t underplay his skills as a rapper as much as it highlights them. Just as JAY-Z reckons he could sell water to a whale, on this album Blaqbonez could sell his preachings of no love to an unbeliever. He’s very convincing, and it does help that the music is great as well. It’s remarkable how far he’s come—here are thirteen songs which fittingly captures where Blaqbonez is right now, in 2022. It’s an enticing prospect to ponder on what subsequent years would sound like”.[19]

Release history

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Region Date Format Version Label Ref
Various October 28, 2022 CD, Music download|digital download Standard [20]

References

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  1. ^ "Rema, Asake, Arya Starr, odas win big for 2023 Headies Award - See full list of winners". BBC. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. ^ Grein, Paul (4 September 2023). "Rema, Burna Boy Top 2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  3. ^ Grein, Paul (28 August 2023). "Burna Boy Leads in 2023 Headies Awards Nominations: Full List (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  4. ^ Ihekire, Chinonso (31 October 2022). "BLAQBONEZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL CANDOUR OF BEING A YOUNG PREACHER". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  5. ^ Naomi, Overo (29 October 2022). "BLAQBONEZ UNVEILS ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, "YOUNG PREACHER"". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  6. ^ Muhibat, Sulaimon (28 October 2022). "DOWNLOAD: Blaqbonez drops 14-track album 'Young Preacher'". TheCable. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  7. ^ Nylander, Davina (1 November 2023). "BLAQBONEZ SHOWCASES FLAWLESS AFRO-FUSION & STAR-STUDDED FEATURES ON NEW ALBUM 'YOUNG PREACHER'". GRM Daily. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  8. ^ Emmanuel, Solution (28 October 2022). "Wizkid hints at new album as Blaqbonez, Johnny Drille, others drop new singles". Premium Times. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  9. ^ Kanmodi, Funmilayo (29 October 2023). "Blaqbonez's 'Young Preacher' Album Peaks On The Charts At Number..." NotJustOk. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Burna Boy, Asake, Tiwa Savage plus oda artistes wey make di 2023 Headies nomination list". BBC. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  11. ^ Laketu, Adedayo (5 September 2023). "Here's What Went Down at the Headies 2023". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  12. ^ Shittu, Ibitoye (3 November 2022). "Barcelona Star Jules Kounde Hails Nigerian Rapper Blaqbonez, Reveals His Young Preacher Album Is on Repeat". Sports Brief. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  13. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (28 December 2022). "BLAQBONEZ UNVEILS ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, "YOUNG PREACHER"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Highlights From Blaqbonez 'Breaking The Yoke Of Love' Crusade | WATCH". NotJustOk. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  15. ^ "Blaqbonez to headline anti-love crusade concert". P.M. News. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  16. ^ Music &, Playlists (10 November 2022). "Review: Blaqbonez' "Young Preacher" is a robust proclamation of his star status". MoreBranches. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Blaqbonez teams up with JAE5 for new single 'Back In Uni'". Vanguard. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b Adebiyi, Adeayo (5 November 2022). "Having found fame, Blaqbonez aspires for stardom in 'Young Preacher' [Pulse Album Reviews]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b Esomnofu, Emmanuel (17 November 2022). "REVIEW: BLAQBONEZ' 'YOUNG PREACHER'". The Native. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Blaqbonez - Young Preacher". Apple Music. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.