Move Over D'banj, Tiwa Savage & others: Ndani TV's 'Gidi Up' Introduces You To The Hottest New Acts

It would be a real disservice to humanity if the crew member in charge of music selection on Ndani TV's Gidi Up is not forced by presidential decree or dedicated guilt-tripping of his conscience to become a professional DJ and keep us all happy. If that Tajudeen Opebiyi (thanks to the closing credits) is already a practicing one, it behooves that some form of award or honours be bestowed on him immediately.

And the reason we are gushing is not just entirely because the song choices are totally off the hook. They are all Nigerian songs, cutting across a number of genres from pop to techno, hip-hop and Afrobeats. Beat that, patriot! From Black Magic's Rainbow matching the establishment shots that open Episode four so beautifully to the rest of the music inserted so tastefully and masterfully like ketchup tattooed on a hotdog, the sound doesn't go wrong for so much as a second.

A personal highlight is where Impostor, that gem of a jam by Aristokrat Records Pucado and Kamar saunters poignantly into the atmosphere of the penthouse where Obi and its' owner are having a telling lunch that is the prologue of a young man-cougar relationship. The song is sensual enough set the mode for the events that follow where words that are left unsaid and subtle looks pass back and forth between the pair. Killer.

18:20 is another. Emmy Gee's Rands & Nairas virtually rolls out the carpets in a grand manner for Obi to bounce out of his boss's office in true Rick Rossesque fashion and its thumping sound is just perfect that giving thanks in appreciation of the work input of the production and editing crew would so not be out of place.

Who can fault the use of that Studio Magic and Ajebutter 22 collaboration - Celebrate in Advance at 19:30 when the gang head out to a dinner to celebrate Tokunbo's incoming good fortune? No one? Thought so!

It is also hard not to notice that the right instrumentals are used in places where the lyrics themselves would particularly make a mess of the song selection if allowed to play on. Take for instance, the scene in one of the episodes where Eki is having a photo shoot at her studio with a model; SDC's Feel Alright is used to this effect as only the DJ Juls-produced beat takes charge.

Throughout the series, it is so easy to note that the catalogue employed in making these choices is as large in depth as it is lovely in execution. Variety is the spice of life and the afterlife and adds an extra layer to every story, including this one.

Made-in-Nigeria brands and products are -let's face it - just not there yet. There is promise but the quality of service doesn't cut it yet. This is of course why it gladdens the heart to see improvements in this regard. Gidi Up undoubtedly has its flaws but it ticks a great deal of boxes all-round, one of them being the music selection. Self-explanatory and clichéd scores and soundtracks are the hallmarks of the archetypal Nollywood production but this series evades the stereotype and is miles ahead.

One wonders for how long this can be kept up. Will the quality wane, flicker and perchance go into deep slumber? Followers of the series will easily wave this pessimism off because the music selection in the first season was similarly fantastic. But this is Nigeria where consistency is a problem, quality has a switch that can be flicked on and off indiscriminately and nothing is guaranteed.

We'll watch and see.

Sola Odetola

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