Album Review: Takura - Someone Had To Do it

The much anticipated debut album from Takura is finally here. A lot of hype was around this album and to be honest it definitely deserved the hype because the guy gave us two solid EP's en-route to this album. Takura and his PR did a very good job towards the release of the album, they managed to create a good platform and image and all that was left was the album to drop. 

Takura has classified himself as an "artists" without any genre tag to it and his two EP's definitely testify to that. He was in a hip hop mood on the Stripped EP (Stripped EP Review) then Trapsoul/Rnb on the Relationship Goals EP (Relationship Goals EP Review). Many like me were anxious to see which Takura we are going to see on this album. Have given the album some time and today will be sharing my views and thoughts:

The album contains 18 tracks and will be doing my usual track by track review:

1. SHTDi feat Rachel Makaranga & IARE (intro)

2. Ita Yauri Kuita
The title perfectly describes what this track is all about. Takura is saying stay in your lane, ita yauri kuita and ini ndoita yandiri kuita zvobva zvavharana. In life you must learn to stay in your lane and be true to who you are all the times, that will save you a lot of headaches, fights and stress. The track is produced very well and Takura was good on the vocals.

3. Ndakabva KuJecha feat Jnr Brown
This is Takura's version of "Started From The Bottom", he is saying I started from down under kujecha and he is now on top. The track is produced well, it continues on the trap soul tip and is sounding good. Both artists delivered quite commendable performances but am not sure about the duet part towards the end.

4. Munondiziva Wani
This is one wavy jam, the mood and feel of the track is on point. Trapsoul fits Takura perfectly, his rapping and singing shines on instrumentals such as this. Production is done superbly well . On this track Takura is saying I am changing the game, you may say what you want but you know me and what i'm doing. Also loved his performance on this track.

5. Ndoda More
Takura is singing about his desire for success on this track, he wants it all he wants to enjoy all the fruits of his labour. The addition of the Prophet Makandiwa clip was a nice touch and adds to the fact that Takura is willing to defy all odds and be a success. The production is done well and Takura delivered yet another solid performance.

6. Ngoro Yemoto
Biblically titled this is however not a gospel track. Takura is talking about his dream car, a beautiful two door convertible coupe. The track is structured quite okay, it will be a perfect fit for that slow drive around the hood with your boys or girls.

7. I Belong (Interlude)
On this interlude Takura is just saying you are mine, you belong to me and I also belong to you. He goes to explain hos his lady makes him feel.

8. Chihwitsi Chemoyo
Takura is very good when it comes to adopting/sampling a popular songs and adding his own touch to them, his Relationship Goals EP is a clear testament to that. On this track he again taps into that zone, he sampled Pied Pipers classic love jam Ruva Rangu, and again he did superb job especially on the chorus. The production is done superbly well, the track is warm and lovely.

9. Chururuka (Raw Sauce)
It cannot be hip hop with no self praise jam and this is that track for Takura. On this track he is saying i'm dripping raw sauce, he is saying that he has the swag and is setting the level. The track makes quite good use of repetition. Some slick visuals will do this track justice.

10. Dananai
This track is Takura's dedication to his daughter Dananai. He is confessing his immense love for her and how he will do anything in his power to ensure that she is safe and has everything that she has. Its quite a lovely jam, the production is also done well, love the guitar work on the chorus.

11. Ndanga Ndisingazive feat CciCici
This is a beautiful love jam, the production is done well. It talks about the effects of chasing your dreams on your relationship, you will be putting more time and effort on achieving your goals whilst at the same time neglecting your partner. That will cause a break in communication and lead to the breakdown of your relationship. The chemistry between Takura and CciCci is just superb, it makes the track worthwhile.

12. Asiri Tsaga
Takura is on the "you deserve someone who will treat you better" mood, this is a common occurrence the lady you love has just came off or is in a relationship whereby the guy is not treating her properly and you present yourself as the perfect guy, it's a theme that has been explored quite a lot .

13. Hona Mandebvu
The title is on its own eye catching, it will  make many curious. With the rise in popularity of beards this track definitely will appeal to a lot of people. The production is done very well, Takura us definitely solidifying his place as the TrapKing. He also delivered a solid performance both on the hook and verses.

14. Top Top (R.I.P Chipo)
He continues on the energetic vibe with another track which is going to get Trap fans crazy. He showcased his ability to create a catchy hook on this track and he also showed us that he can still rap. I'm not so sure of some of the lyrics but he managed to make his verses rhythmic and that makes the track entertaining to listen to.

15. Mari Ine Mumvuri feat IARE
Takura is sharing how he hopes to be filthy rich on day, he is working hard to get there. This is the dream of many Zimbos and this track is going to relate to a lot of Zimbos. Takura delivered a solid performance and the production us done very well.

16. Handivhunduke No 1
To be one of the best in the game you must be brave and must not fear anyone and Takura is saying exactly that on this track. The productions is done very well, the track is playful bouncy and sounding on point. Takura delivered a solid performance on the track.

17. Nhasi Ndzezveduwo
This track was released last year and have been a fan of the track from the first listen and up to now I still enjoy the track. It shows how Takura is able to make a simple song a big hit, his choice of words is simple and every Zimbo can comprehend this track. Its a celebratory track where he is saying today is our day, this is our season, have been struggling and working for long and it's now our turn to succeed and celebrate. The production is done well and the track is catchy.

18. Momz
Another track that was released last year, this is Takura's dedication to his mother. He is appreciating how his Mom is an amazing lady. This is mother's song with a difference, the production is done superbly well. Takura delivered a solid performance. Quite a fitting track to end close the album.

Stream the album: Someone Had To Do it

So ya that's it for Takura's debut album Someone Had To Do It. Given how good his EP's were I had few doubts about this album and it proved me right, this is a very good album. There was a big gap as to who would push Zim urban music forward and I have to say its now answered, Takura is that artist right now. One thing that I love about how he is going about it is that even though he is pushing a more urban sound he is doing so in a distinctly Zim way, there are no unreal scenarios but the themes are relate-able to many Zimbos, and the use of his mother language more than English adds identity to his music at the same time making it easier for many to follow.

In terms of themes this project serves as Takura's diary and a motivational piece to other young Zimbos. All over the album you hear Takura sharing his desire to succeed in life , how he is planning to do so and also sharing pieces of his journey to where he is now.  Takura himself delivered a solid performance throughout the project and the few who featured were also up to par.

The production is done well, the album has this modern feel all over it and helps brings out the sound that has made Takura popular with a lot of Zimbos. The overall feel of the tracks are similar on all of the tracks and someone can say it less versatile in that aspect. It gets you into this upbeat mood and keeps you there throughout, you do not go through a roller-coaster of emotions as you listen to the album. Throughout the album Takura showcased his two prominent sides; Takura the rapper and Takura the singer, he was switching between trap and trap-soul in a very well structured way. However as a whole the project leans to the mellow trap soul side, there is a lot of lovely keyboard work throughout the album and it overpowers the hip hop side of the album, so after some weeks of listening the album will start to feel more like an RnB/Trap-Soul album rather than a Hip Hop album. Well Takura once said during an interview that he is neither a rapper or singer but just an artists so that answered it all.

In conclusion this is a good debut offering from Takura, a lot of expectations were put on this project and it will not disappoint. However despite how good the project is, its not better that his superb EP's that he dropped prior to this album. On his discography my favourite project is the Relationship Goals EP, then the Stripped EP and this album comes last. To end it all if you're a fan of trap-soul and trap this is definitely the project for you.

My overall rating: A, B, C, Poor

What are your thoughts on the album???

Proud Zimbo