Breaking Through: A Critical Review of Tonny Phiz’s Debut EP ‘Underdog’
From the Streets to the Studio: Tonny Phiz’s ‘Underdog’ Tells a Story.
Olamilekan Akingbaso, popularly known as Tonny Phiz, released an EP in 2020, “Underdog”. This EP immediately grabbed the attention of many music lovers with its unique blend of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and R&B. The EP features a variety of collaborations with other talented artists such as Mohbad, Timzy, Jtunez, and Blizzbrowse.
One of the standout tracks on the EP is “Good Time” featuring Mohbad, which has a video with over 65,000 views on YouTube. The song is a perfect blend of traditional Nigerian percussion and modern electronic elements. Tonny Phiz’s charismatic and compelling vocal performance is impressive as he switches effortlessly between singing and rapping.
Another remarkable track on the EP is “Ur Mata,” whose video was shot by the award-winning Boy Director (TG Omori). The song tells a love story with its catchy chorus and infectious rhythm that will leave you grooving.
Tonny Phiz’s vocal performance shines through again on the track “Make I Talk,” which is one of the three new singles added to the deluxe version of the EP released in 2022. The song blends elements of street pop, Afrobeat, and contemporary Nigerian music, showcasing Tonny Phiz’s versatility and range as an artist.
“Wait for You” is another standout track on the deluxe version, with its infectious rhythm and catchy chorus making it an excellent choice for radio play and playlists. The song highlights Tonny Phiz’s vocal prowess and songwriting skills, as he expresses his love for a special someone.
The EP’s closing track “Amina” is a lively and energetic song that tells a love story with a girl named Amina. The song is a perfect blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop, with polished and well-crafted instrumentals that showcase Tonny Phiz’s unique voice and style.
Despite the EP’s strengths, the tracks lacks cohesion and focus, with the album’s themes and messages sometimes not in clear sense, and with each tracks having different messages. However, this may as well be believed that he has shown his versatility as he switches style and rhythm, switching from rapping to singing. Overall, “Underdog” is a promising debut that showcases Tonny Phiz’s talent and potential, but it has areas for growth and refinement.