Mercy is a fast tempo RnB song based on the attraction between a boy and a girl, and how the boy is completely head over heels in love with the girl. The smooth rendition of the lyrics, which takes on a high octave when it gets to the chorus, is one element that sets up this single as a must listen-to. The beat is set to street dance style which is popular among the young and trendy who seem not to be following in the footsteps of their parents love for foreign music. Mercy compares favourably with Banky W’s Jasi and Darey’s Special Fever, the two stars who are reported to be contesting for the title of Nigeria’s king of RnB.
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Whereas Jasi is cool, mid-tempo, with a tinge of Fuji, an evidence of Banky W’s versatility, Special Fever is fast-paced, positioned to also appeal to people who would ordinarily not move to Nigeria’s contemporary beats. However, Mercy seems to have taken the game further with its very danceable beats that will predictably rock the party and club scenes. And this is where the debate on who is king of RnB will get interesting. In examining contemporary music works and the very talented musicians behind the works, is it correct to limit the debate to only two musicians when we have other musicians like Praiz seemingly upsetting the balance with Mercy?
With songs like Jekalo, A woman’s need and I love youto his name, Praiz is bringing a freshness and diversity to the already buzzing Nigeria’s RnB music industry. The MTN Project Fame alumnus surely does not appear new to the industry as there is a high level of sophistication and maturity to his music, perhaps testament to his prodigious talent and versatile support cast. Password, who produced Darey’s Style Na Style, Davido’s Gobe, among other popular musical works, is reported to have produced the hit single Mercy.
Interestingly,Mercy, is a deviation from the style set by his previous works. He blends his normal RnB with copious Afrobeat rhythms throwing obvious elements of Soukous into the dance compelling mélange.
The song intros with a couple of synth keyboard strikes that fade under Praiz’s distinctive vocal cue for the kicks, hi-hat and shaker at 00:08.
Praiz:Oh lord have mercy
Oh na na na
If I tell you say you be the only one for me
Back up: shey you go believe me
Praiz:If I tell you say there is no other one oh na…
Back up: shey you go believe me
Praiz:If I tell you say all dem skele me no dey see
Back up: shey you go believe me
Praiz:Ooh na na
Ooh na na
Praiz:If tell you say I go marry you come tomorrow
Back up: shey you go believe me
Praiz:If I tell you say I go take away all your sorrow
Back up: shey you go believe me
Praiz:I wish dem know wetin you mean to me, dem no know…
… goes the first verse, a la call and response…
It is a love song, a song of commitment that would definitely stay on repeat at wedding receptions. It is about how Mercy, obviously a lady, has taken over the artiste’s mind and how urgently he wants to show how much he loves her.
The way he played on the dual function of the word Mercy ─ as a name ─ and mercy ─ as an English noun for compassion ─ gives the song a whiff of well placed lyrical playfulness that works well as a hook.
The syncopated arrangements subtly flowing in and out throughout the 4:10-minute song, bestows an appropriate dose of jazz on the piece. The backup singers’modulation starting at 1:03 borrows from Don Jazzy’s pattern to add the classic-chorister edge, while the energy infused in the whole piece boosts it as a dance party favourite in a Terry-glikemanner.
The rhythm guitar riffs splashed all over the song add soukous flavour to the song, reminding everyone of Praiz’s recent hit, Oshey, where he featured Congolese Makossa big hitter, Awilo Longomba.
Though I would have personally preferred another adlib for the outro, Praiz thinks otherwise and he decided to go down memory lane to remind us of Diana King’s 1993 reggae hit, Shy guy. That works well too.
In all, it is a brilliant mix that combines the entire element that would lift the spirit anytime.
As an artiste, Praiz, who says pop legend Michael Jackson and 2Face inspire him, even going as far as wearing black trousers that tease his shoes to expose the white stockings as well as donning a hat, his rapid rise in the music industry is set to alter the debate of whose music moves Nigerians the most, and therefore could be rightly considered as the king of RnB.
The video for Mercy was released in less than 24 hours following the release of the single. The video which features heavyweights like Limpopo master, KC, Kukere crooner, Iyanya, as well as newly minted MTN ambassadors Timaya, Sean Tizzle and hot rapper, Vector, showcases the talent of Praiz in a way music lovers have never seen him bursting a few kick-ass dance moves in the process.
Critically acclaimed music video director, Patrick Elis who has directed Iyanya’s Kukere, Kayswitch’s Obimo, Eva’s Lights Out,had his creative juices flowing all over this track as he pulled out all the stops to produce a video that has a fresh and foreign feel. Patrick noted that the video was a very challenging one as he had to balance the performance and soulful style of the song with Praiz suave style.
In this profession of love, Praiz takes his stage craft to another level as he moves out of his comfort zone of “slow” music and takes on headlong the frenzied and very animated club banging style.
Praiz dancing skills are manifest in Mercywith his female backup dancers swaying to the groove. Shot against a brick wall like a scene taken out from a foreign movie, the video has a composed and well orchestrated feel to it. Accentuated by never-before-seen dance moves, the video is a must watch.
In all Praiz, who when he is upset listens to Terry G to cheer up, has succeeded in serenading us all with a melodious delivery.
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