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Afro fusion star Roadman hits the ground running with his latest EP, Ghetto Boy Fly

Image: Afro fusion star Roadman hits the ground running with his latest EP, Ghetto Boy Fly

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Roadman got his stage name the old-fashioned way. He earned by being someone who was always on the move. From being a 10-year old boy who played drums in churches throughout Nigeria, the kid named Toro Alaba moved with his famlly a great deal and by the time he boarded an airplane and went wheels up from Lagos to New York, the moniker Roadman was well established.

Roadman drew from a wealth of infleunces during that time. Some, like the legendary JuJu artist King Sunny Ade, Roadman heard coming from the stereo in his parent's house. Others like Sean Paul were self-discoveries.

All of those influences go into "Ghetto Boy Fly," Roadman's latest EP, released on March 26. The project finds Roadman merging all of those influences to create a work that is recognizable yet distinct. Hip-hop, Afrobeat, R&B, funk and jazz are among the sounds that Roadman brings together on this project.

The album opens with the reflective "Nobody Knows," a track that finds Roadman looking back over the events of 2020 and reminding listeners that the best laid plans can be upended at any time. The bouncy "Gbewa" finds Roadman turning his focus to a lovely lady that catches his eye.

"OTR" with it's jazzy influenced guitar work and African tinged percussion, is a track that has serious potential to get some play both among fans of the sounds of the Continent but lovers of R&B.

Roadman uses hip-hop on the song "Bound for Freedom" to do what hip-hop does as well as any genre - make a political statement. Here, Roadman uses rap to critique the political and econmic corruption and exploitation taking place in his home country.

Meanwhile, Roadman shows his topical range on the track "She Cures." The mid-tempo swaying percussive funk serves as a foundation for Roadman to sing about escaping the troubles of world with the lady that is the cure for his ills.

Roadman says that the EP's inspiration comes from the struggles and triumphs faced by members of his generation.

“The EP explores what it means to be a fly, glorious child from Nigeria, now living in the States and thriving in the face of systems meant to keep you down. The project touches on some of my challenges in life over the past year, and the longstanding issues that are very important to me – overcoming depression, police brutality, old flames, a failing country, and hope for the future”.

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