The Prince The Gentleman Became.

Ric Hassani became the Prince indeed…

Ric Hassani is not a new name to the Nigerian music industry, especially after the release of his first album, ‘The African Gentleman’, where he showcased his vocal prowess. My best from that album is ‘Love you anyway’ and he cemented his place in my heart when he combined with Tjan and Johnny Drille to deliver the powerful ‘My Love’, the song was unarguably my song of the year in 2017, because that was the first time, I actually listened to it.

Hassani like I love to call him, was born Ikechukwu Eric Ahiauzu, in Port Harcourt and began his musical career as ‘Rico Slim’ and featured on Frank Edward’s “Superstar” as a rapper. Like most of the Nigerian artists, he started in the choir, where his sisters were also members. His talent was spotted accidentally by the choirmaster. He described his kind of music as “Afro pop”, but most people prefer to classify him in the “Alte” group, just like his close pal, Johnny Drille.

His first album discussed a whole lot about finding love and was love-centred, that if you didn’t have a lover, you really want to have somebody to share the melodious songs with. Five years after ‘The African Gentleman’, he became the African prince, speaking about his evolution from a gentleman to a prince. This can also be seen in his recent activities online and the way he dresses.

‘The Prince I Became’ is fully packed with seventeen melodious songs that signifies hard-work and sincerity of heart. The album features Kuami Eugene, Sauti Sol, Fumbani Changaya, Frank Edwards, Zoro and Nicky Jam. He started with ‘Everything’ which can be translated as a song that shows satisfaction derived from finding the one that means everything to one. How do we even survive without that person?

He followed it up with ‘Body Conversation’, which have a feel of bed time moment, with two bodies, having a conversation over the phone. Then, ‘You’re my baby’, giving the babe an assurance that she has him to herself. I guess, after assuring the babe that he is hers, he teamed up with Sauti Sol to explain the ‘My Kind of Woman’ he likes with the attributes she portrays.

Thunder Fire You was released as a single off the album, where Ric Hassani chose violence rather than his perfect gentleman character, all because of how his supposed ex treated him. Angel is actually rich with musical instruments combining to give a fascinating sound, with a strong bassline leading the way. My Only Baby, is just another song showing why he is Ric Hassani, the ‘Gentleman’. Where did he get that interlude from? I think he chants too.

I just wish I can give somebody All My Love, but we wait to give her. Do lai dat is another one he showed his freedom with sampling different sound with funny accent of a local boy and not the regular royalty he has always exhibited. Rising sun won’t have been a success without his vocal prowess. Mine Forever is influenced with the Ghanaian sound and beat. It features Nigerian rapper, ‘Zoro’.

Ric Hassani experimented different genre on this album, he even did a reggae with Rain, where he acknowledges and appreciate God, this was followed by Victory Belong to Jesus. The contemporary gospel song, which affirm our victory in the name of Jesus. I guess Samuel heard this work before we did and he lent his voice in prayer. Finally, Ric Hassani showed us he has stayed long enough in Lagos to sing a song in Yoruba. The most interesting part was the part his dad prayed for him, calling him IKE. Seems everyone that matters to him had their voice at the end of Korede.

The Prince I Became shows the route Hassani took from a gentleman to a prince, especially where he had to quit his job for music and his mum telling him she’s had enough of his silliness, experimenting with music professionally. Now, it can be said she is his biggest supporter, sending broadcast messages to her friends and contacts to vote him in any voting category. It is so sad that his dad didn’t wait enough to launch the album with him.

Indeed, he became a prince, not just any prince, but African Prince.