By 
Brief introduction of the release
Lagos 101 details the completion of an era by Bella Alubo following her global entry with track, G.O.A.T with The Notorious B.I.G & Ty Dolla $ign.
Falling on Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, the Lagos 101 EP is a testament of the genre’s influence on World Music.
Supporting information of the release
Bella Alubo is a Nigerian Afrofusion artist who began writing during childhood & grew her fanbase online to collaborations with the likes of Ycee, Mr Eazi, The Notorious B.I.G & Ty Dolla $ign.
Lagos 101 is a 9 track EP with focus track featuring Nigerian rapper, Falz. The EP cover was shot in Lagos Island market & depicts Bella’s arrival from her small hometown of Jos.
The producers on the EP are Syn X, Kayo musiq, Elliot Osagie, Kensaye, Shwoff, and The Abe Effect.
It is released under Benin City Ent.
About the tracks
Lagos 101
Lagos 101 is the title track of Bella Alubo’s Lagos 101 EP. Its intro features a popular Lagos saying ‘better shine your eye’; a warning to the naive & vulnerable about Nigeria’s melting pot city. The track discusses societal issues like classism, sexism, abuse of power & unemployment. The Amapiano beat is produced by Haitian-French producer, Kensaye. Falz features on Lagos 101 in a comical storytelling style, lightheartedly adding to the narrative of the song; together with its choir-style Chorus. Lagos 101 provides a glimpse at the culture, slang, and happenings of the city.
Hold My Phone
Hold My Phone is a breakup song about avoidance of pain through indulgence and embracing the freedom that can come with the single life. The Reggaeton production by The Abe Effect and Bella Alubo’s Afro-fusion delivery offer a relatable tune enhanced by additional male vocals. The antithetical relationship between dance and pain provides a poetic process to breakups.
G.O.A.T
Bella Alubo’s 2022 feature on G.O.A.T by The Notorious B.I.G featuring Ty Dolla $ign is a representation of Hip-Hop’s influence over World genres like Afrobeat, especially on the 50th Anniversary of the genre. ‘Ararara Orororo’ is a call-and-response popularised at Fela’s Kalakuta Shrine in Lagos & honours Fela Kuti as a pioneer of Afrobeat. Millions of streams later, the song offers a fusion between Afrobeat and Hip-Hop to an array of listeners. G.O.A.T was produced by Kayo & Elliot Osagie.
Party Gyal
Party Gyal by Bella Alubo is a bassy, feel-good, Afro Dancehall track detailing love for a good time and confidence in endeavours. Bella Alubo raps about entertaining an attraction while focusing on her career.
The Hip-Hop heavy track fuses Dancehall influences over an Afrobeat cadence; featuring additional vocals by Namdy, one half of the twin duo, Boybreed. Party Gyal was produced by Syn X.
Unstoppable
The singer who began her career as a rapper unleashes HipHop-esque braggadocio with Afro-fusion delivery on the 808-filled instrumental by Canada-based Nigerian producer, Shwofff.
Speaking on the song, Bella says “The point after fear is where you make a decision of fight or flight, I’m letting them know I’m war ready”. Unstoppable is about confidence, bravery, and female power.
Critical
This House music number discusses mental health, friendships, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Bella Alubo says “Critical is inspired by the loneliness that artists sometimes feel despite having a lot of people around”. Critical is produced by Syn X who also produced Bella & Ycee’s Tropicana Fruit Juice and Radio.
Talking
Reggae fused with Afropop produced by Shwoff creates an honest cadence in Bella Alubo’s expressive track. “The song is inspired by being a soft-spoken woman for most of my life and wanting my voice heard even when my opinion goes against the grain. It’s inspired by Bob Marley, who I really love”.
Moon Shot
This track is a solo version of G.O.A.T by The Notorious B.I.G featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Bella Alubo. While the first verse is dedicated to summer romance, the second verse is filled with rap rhymes referencing football, old Nollywood, and Nigerian history.
Another Level
“Dancing Queen by Abba was a song that helped me daydream a lot as a child. Another Level is my realisation of where I currently am as an artist and individual… this is like Afro-Dancehall pop”. Another Level is produced by Shwoff.
Comments