Ninety’s new EP, Self, explores relationships, heritage, and personal struggles across four tracks, each digging into different aspects of the artist’s psyche, providing listeners with a deeper insight into his journey.
The opening track, Bury a friend, sets the emotional tone for the EP. With lines like “pissed off… bit more than I can chew… don’t break my heart cause I might bury a friend so we stick to the end,” Ninety navigates the complexities of friendship tainted by disloyalty. This raw depiction of vulnerability reveals a side of him that longs for connection amid chaos, contrasting with his typically uptight persona.
In the second track, Proud, Ninety celebrates his heritage with fervor. He proudly embraces his Ijaw roots, capturing the essence of southern Nigerian culture with lines like “Excess joy and peace of mind down in a river in a South south side… mans an Ijaw man so you know I’m proud.” The track shines the light on his identity and it also resonates with themes present in the work of fellow Ijaw artist Wizard Chan.
Ca Va Bien shifts focus to the pressures of pursuing a music career. Ninety reflects on the tension between ambition and mental well-being, expressing through the line “pressure gets hard but merci ca Va bien, hustle got real so I miss all my friends” and his commitment to his craft while recognizing the sacrifices involved. It’s a sentiment that many up-and-coming artists can relate to when striving to stay true in a demanding industry.
The closing track, Fried Rice, encapsulates Ninety’s dreams and the joys that accompany his journey. With lines like “peace of mind jollof or fried rice one bottle of wine and one kele wey go dey my side,” he juxtaposes indulgence with self-awareness. His candid acknowledgment of human flaws, paired with a resolve to “run my race,” encourages listeners to deal with their existential struggles on their own terms.
Self offers a striking introspection into Ninety’s mind, presenting a raw and multifaceted perspective on his life experiences. Each track serves as a lens into his life as an artist, and this EP is an addition to his growing discography.
Listen to Self here
