Book of Rap Stories
| Book of Rap Stories | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 March 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2010–2012 | |||
| Studio | Edge Recording Studio (Lagos) | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 45:08 | |||
| Labels |
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| Producers |
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| Reminisce chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Book of Rap Stories | ||||
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Book of Rap Stories is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Reminisce. It was released for physical release on 31 March 2012 and for digital release on 28 July 2012.[1] The album features guest appearances from 9ice, Dagrin, Ruggedman, Patoranking, Jahbless, XP, Minjin, and Jospo. Its production was handled by Sarz, Legendury Beatz, D'Tunes, Jospo, Joshbeatz, Pastor Child, and Akymz. The album was released following Reminisce's transition from English-language rap to indigenous rap and contributed to his rise to wider recognition.
Musically, it blends hip-hop, Afrobeats, fuji, and street-oriented influences. Book of Rap Stories was supported by the singles "Ever Since", "Kako Bi Chicken", "2Mussh", and "If Only". Upon release, Book of Rap Stories received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production and Reminisce's lyricism and wordplay. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 8th Headies Awards.
Background
Prior to the release of Book of Rap Stories, Reminisce had recorded an English-language album of the same name in 2003 with producer ID Cabasa, although it was never released due to a lack of commercial success. He subsequently stepped away from music and operated a shoe and clothing business in Yaba, Lagos.[2][3] He returned to making music professionally after featuring on "Bachelor's Life", the eighth track from Nigerian singer 9ice's second studio album Gongo Aso (2008).[4]
Following his return to music, Reminisce began working with producer Sarz and released the single "One Chance" featuring Jahbless and Alash in 2008.[5] Although the song received radio airplay, it was not a commercial breakthrough.[3] He later moved towards indigenous rap and street music after his Yoruba-language performance on the remix of Jahbless' "Joor Oh" attracted attention.[2] The attention from his performance led him to begin working on Book of Rap Stories.
Singles
The 9ice-assisted "Ever Since" was released on 20 July 2010 as the album's lead single; the song was produced by Sarz.[6] The album's second single, "Kako Bi Chicken" was released on 31 May 2011; it went on to become his breakthrough single.[7] Also produced by Sarz, the song blends rap, fuji and electro music.[3] Its instrumental had previously been rejected by several rappers, including Naeto C.[2]
On 19 February 2012, Reminisce released the singles "2Mussh" and "If Only", which serve as the album's third and fourth singles respectively. "2Mussh" was produced by Legendury Beatz and "If Only" was produced by D'Tunes.[8] In an interview with Ogaga Sakpaide of tooXclusive, Reminisce said that he recorded the song within ten minutes.[9] A remix of "2Mussh" featuring Nigerian rappers Sauce Kid and Ice Prince was released in November 2012.[10] "If Only" was originally released in July 2010 in conjunction with "Ever Since" before being redone for Book of Rap Stories.[6][8]
Other releases
On 14 September 2009, Reminisce released the promotional singles "Gbabe", featuring Dagrin and XP, and "Caro". Both tracks were produced by Sarz.[11] "Gbon Gbon" featuring Ruggedman and Minjin was released as a promotional single on 26 June 2012.[12] The Akymz-produced "Jemi" featuring Jahbless was released as a promotional single on 25 June 2013.[13]
Critical reception
A reviewer for 360nobs, who goes by the moniker Shadenonconformist, described Book of Rap Stories as a "commendable effort", praising the album's production and Reminisce's "creative wordplay". With a rating of 5.9 out of 10, she concluded that Book of Rap Stories is "Reminisce's definitive declaration that he is not going anywhere soon."[14]
Accolades
Book of Rap Stories received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 8th edition of The Headies.[15]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro by Tatoo" | Remilekun Safaru | — | 1:09 |
| 2. | "Quality" | Safaru | Sarz | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Ever Since" (featuring 9ice) |
| Sarz | 4:21 |
| 4. | "2Mussh" | Safaru | Legendury Beatz | 3:35 |
| 5. | "If Only" | Safaru | D'Tunes | 3:11 |
| 6. | "Gbabe" (featuring Dagrin and XP) |
| Sarz | 3:29 |
| 7. | "Gbon Gbon" (featuring Ruggedman and Minjin) |
| Joshbeatz | 4:07 |
| 8. | "Bisi My Lover" | Safaru | Pastor Child | 3:23 |
| 9. | "Tinkin" (featuring Patoranking) |
| Sarz | 3:33 |
| 10. | "Kako Bi Chicken" | Safaru | Sarz | 3:44 |
| 11. | "Jemi" (featuring Jahbless) |
| Akymz | 3:24 |
| 12. | "Caro" | Safaru | Sarz | 3:51 |
| 13. | "Bye Bye" (featuring Jospo) |
| Jospo | 3:41 |
| Total length: | 45:08 | |||
Personnel
Credits adapted from back cover.[16]
- Sarz – production (2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12)
- Legendury Beatz – production (4)
- D'Tunes – production (5)
- Joshbeatz – production (7)
- Pastor Child – production (8)
- Akymz – production (11)
- Jospo – production (13)
- Indomix – mixing, mastering (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13)
- Sheyman – mixing, mastering (2, 3, 10)
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 31 March 2012 | CD |
|
| Various | 28 July 2012 | Digital download |
References
- ↑ "Book of Rap Stories by Reminisce". iTunes. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Adedayo Laketu (8 October 2020). "Interview: Reminisce Is the Nigerian Rap OG Laying the Blueprint For Every Local Rapper". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Ayomide Tayo (2 September 2023). "The rapper with a coat of many colours". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Inem Udodiong (28 August 2021). "Interview: I Am Makanaki The Guns—Reminisce on 'King of Boys: The Return of the King'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Ovie Ofugara (24 January 2009). "Reminisce – Nigboro". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- 1 2 Ovie Ofugara (20 July 2010). "Reminisce – Ever Since ft 9ice + If Only". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "New Music: Reminisce – Kako Bii Chicken". Jaguda. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- 1 2 Ovie Ofugara (19 February 2012). "PREMIERE: Reminisce – 2Musshh + If Only Reloaded". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW: Ogagus Chats With 'Reminisce'". tooXclusive. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Ayo Jaguda (11 November 2012). "New Music: Reminisce – 2Mussh [Remix] Ft. IcePrince & Sinzu". Jaguda. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Ovie Ofugara (14 September 2009). "Reminisce ft Da Grin & XP – Gbabe + Caro". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "New Music: Reminisce – Gbon Gbon ft. RuggedMan & Minjin". Jaguda. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Qazim Quedy (25 June 2013). "Get Familiar: Reminisce – Je Mi ft JahBless". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Shadenonconformist (1 May 2012). "Reminisce – Book of Rap Stories …Nigerian Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ Micheal Abimboye (1 May 2012). "Olamide, Davido, Iyanya top Headies Award 2013 nomination". Premium Times. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Reminisce – Book of Rap Stories Lyrics and Tracklist". Genius. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2026.