When you blend silky vocals, soothing Afro-fusion melodies and stellar sound engineering, the record is likely to sound like ‘Follow You’, the just-released single from Nigeria’s acclaimed guitarist, Ifiok Effianga. On this record, Effianga, who is acclaimed as Fiokee, collaborates with Afro-RnB sensations, Gyakie and Chike, to create a mesmerizing love melody that is all shades of soothing and exciting.
“Baby know that I’m not crazy/ You know that I’m not lazy/ I will follow you anywhere that you want to go/ And I will let the whole world know that I am in love with you,” the heartwarming chorus from Chike captures the essence of the song, which peels into layers of love professions and honest assurances between lovers. With the Ghanaian lovebird herself taking a verse, laced with Fiokee’s soulful guitar renditions, the track crescendos from the middle right down to the end, like a well-enjoyed meal relished with cold soda.
Talented soundwhiz, Deyasso who also produced some songs off Chike’s debut ‘Boo of the Booless’, creates a soft-groove harmony that illuminates the vocal prowess of each of the singers, while balancing them at the core.
With ‘Follow You’, Fiokee continues to shape his discography with evergreen songs that show the depth of the Akwa Ibom indigene. His earlier releases this year such as, Cut Soap, Plenty, among others, have spotlighted the guitar prodigy as one of the most talented acts in the industry. Having worked with the likes of Tiwa Savage, Teni, Mercy Chinwo, Flavour, Yemi Alade, among others, he has also created a hit-laden portfolio that leaves you exclaiming like his signature song-openers, “Oh my God, Fiokee!”.
While the Chike and Gyakie feature is a no-brainer for an exceptional RnB love melody, it is definitely an amazing selection that breathed life into this melody. Chike, earlier this year, also released a cover of Gyakie’s hit-single, Forever, which heightened anticipation of a duet between the two singers. With Follow You that craving is well satisfied, but at the risk of more anticipation for a joint-EP from the singers, including Fiokee.
With a career-switch from Engineering to music Fiokee has cut his teeth in music making, becoming one of the most sought-after guitarists and musicians in Africa. Having first learned how to play the guitar from a Taxi Driver-cum-teacher, Fiokee has built a stellar musicianship for the past two decades, drawing inspiration fro the likes of George Benson, Norman Brown, among others. With ‘Follow You’, he flushes this wealth of experience and talented artistry into a delightful and emotive love melody.