REVIEW: Wanlov The Kubolor – “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” [Protest hymns for the 21st century Ghanaian]

“Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” is the latest release from Ghanaian Afro-pop/rap rapscallion, Wanlov The Kubolor. He teams up with Sena Dagadu, M3NSA, Lykay, Sister Deborah, Mind You, Kyekyeku, Francis Norman and Funsho Ogundipe on this project.

Controversially, Wanlov The Kubolor opts for a caricature-styled album art, like he’s always done for his previous projects: Green Card (2007), Brown Card: African Gypsy (2011) and Orange Card: Fruitopian Raps (2017). The art work is by the ever-talented Ghanaian artist, Bright Ackwerh. 

Wanlov The Kubolor’s “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” wields its radicalism, activism and absurdism like shiny scarily-sharp double edged sabre, fearlessly. “Will the Ghanaian human listen?” – is the only thing playing over and over in my head, and it’s beginning to make me feel like dizzy like a ditzy school kid in an examination hall.  Judging from the album art, this album is a legit protest album.  Guess what? – I’m in for it! Are you?

The most extraordinary thing about protest music is that it helps people to realize they’re not alone in feeling a spirit of dissent against certain injustices, whether on a personal or more all-embracing governmental level. Protest songs are effective in creating a sense of community, helping groups organize to affect change. Will “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” be able to achieve that now? Or will it be another album for posterity? 

Without further ado, let’s delve deep into Wanlov The Kubolor’s 19-track sonic masterpiece. I’m going to write about my favourite songs on the album. Let’s dig in. Headset on. I’ve just hit play. My eyes are closed – shhhh!

 The Minstrel Cycle 

“The Minstrel Cycle” is the opener on this album. Guitar strums? The beat just dropped, and I love the staccato bassline. It’s wobbling like an unstable chair. A man’s voice cuts through with ease (seems like a phone call sound bite). The guy is up to no good, he’s plotting the arrest of Kubolor – sounds interesting and funny to me. Where does this lead. Let’s go! “Minstrel cycle/ we dey spin inside some minstrel cycle” he enters, singing with a sober and carefree demand. He’s rapping now, very laidback delivery. The lyrics are amazing and meaningful. “I dey show red card to you wicked fuckers” he sings with his raspy voice. “The Minstrel cycle” is an awesome opener. Keeper. The message is clear, the protest has begun. What’s next? Let’s go!

Dis be Ghana 

What’s that guitar tune? It sounds really familiar. OMG! Hahaha. I get it now. “Dis be Ghana” is Kubolor’s rendition of Childish Gambino’s daring single “This is America”, released earlier this year. I love the layered background vocal work. The instrumentation is sounds semi-organic. Oh Yeah! There’s an unexpected switch in the beat, and it’s monstrous. The manic African drumming is everything; it adds an amazing Ghanaian rhythmic element to the song. I’m so in love with this tune. The producer is a genius (I Stan hard-core). Hemanaged to omit the trap vibes that the original possesses. By so doing this, he creates a very unique and powerful soundscape. Who is this Producer? I need his autograph on my favourite boxers. There’s ajolly, syncretic melodic vibe that arrests my attention and changes my mood. I’m hyper now. The lyrics are genuine and daring, although there’s a huge chunk of satirical elements in there. “This be Ghana” circles around the dire conditions in Ghana and Kubolor sometimes spits some solutions to the problems he identifies. This piece is delivered in Twi, pidgin and English. “Murder is a sin/ you say gay is a sin/ but we want murder gays” – these lines are poignant, truthful and haunting, and someone needed to say it.  This be Ghana/ that was Madina/ Atomic explosion/ Jesus is the winner” he spits these hearty words.  Kubolor proves he’s an activist, yet he’s a mocker of the Ghanaian society and government. Early favourite. This is the best “This is America” rendition I’ve heard. Wanlov The Kubolor cooked a strong, meaningful record. I’m hooked. Next!

Could U

Wanlov The Kubolor teams up with Sena Dagadu and M3NSA on this track.  Nice beat, Very danceable. Great build up. This collaboration is a dream made in heaven. I love Sena Dagadu and M3NSA’s singing. I’m hooked.  The lyrics are meaningful.  “Just coz you write the right message/ you be wrong” – I love these lines. The message in this record is legit. 

Lies

I love the beat. The tempo is cool. Kubolor spits his punchlines in a laidback manner. A female voice cuts through once awhile. Nice singing. The voice sounds familiar. Is that Sena Dagadu? Another emotional sound bite drops. I love the sound bite; it adds value to the lyrics.  Kubolor has considerable skills in offering insightful socially conscious verse. He tackles a mix of social issues on this record. “Lies” is definitely relevant in the light of the current conditions in Ghana. 

I Pass Inside

Wanlov The Kubolor is an articulate storyteller who successfully tackles serious issues. The acoustic-pop vibe of the beat is addictive. What’s that sound? Synths? the drums just dropped, and I love it. The message is still legit, although Kubolor employs satire to analyse serious issues. I enjoy is carefree delivery. He proves that he’s the compelling voice that deserves to be heard.

Very Soon

The diversity on this album is pretty awesome. “Very Soon” has a different sonic palette. It has a blues feel. He plays a soothsayer on this song. He predicts the death of some pastors. I can smell mischief in his voice. He’s really enjoying this. Kubolor frantically speaks in tongues – He is levitating.  Kubolor is a restless spirit who drifts effortlessly between activism, absurdism and radicalism.

Julor Kwakwe

I wasn’t ready for this man, sheesh. The beat just dropped, and my roof is now at my inquisitiveneighbour’s house. This is a danceable tune (I just dropped this tune in my banger bag), and I can’t help it -- I’m head bobbing now and shaking frantically like a beheaded chicken. “Julor Kwakwe” is addictive and mood effective. The beat really sounds African and computer generated. There’s so much mischief in Kubolor’s voice. He just dropped a bomb. OMG! “Otabil is thief” Kubolor declares boldly with a comical demand. Wanlov The Kubolor proves he’s “Dennis the Menace” of Ghanaian music (I Stan). Hold up. There’s a sound bite laced in the tune. Is that Pastor Otabil’s voice?  What! “You lie to them, they believe it/ you deceive them…you know the Christians…born again Christians are the easiest people to deceive” – lines from Pastor Otabil’s sound bite. Wow, this is heart-breaking and funny at the same time. The record ends with indistinct laughter of a congregation. Everything about this record is infectious. Next!

Still Kwakwe

Wow. Wow. I love this! The drums came down like lightning bolts. Wild build up, very chaotic. The drums are on steroids, and I’m fucking psyched about it. These drums make a difference. “Still Kwakwe” seems like a sequel to “Julor Kwakwe”. The interesting elements about this production are Wanlov the Kubolor’s energetic delivery and the lush African instrumentation. His energy makes you want to leap to the moon. “Still Kwakwe” is filled with frenzied, earthy and hypnotic West African drumming. The drumming reminds me of the late Nigerian master drummer, Babatunde Olatunji’s work. “Dennis the menace” of Ghanaian music drops names of some alleged corrupt politicians and prominent people in Ghana.  He’s fun, humorous and full of vivacious mischief. The chorus sounds like Osibisa’s 1971 song, “Woyaya” Although, this record is satirical, Wanlov the Kubolor means business.Man, I never know what he’ll say next. That’s what I love about Kubolor. The record ends with the homeless man sound bite – Very poignant and honest. I’m hooked. Let’s move.

Sole Rebel

Another energy shift. Dope tempo. Thankfully, I love the sound of the beat. I love this title. The verse is melodic and leisurely. Man, the melody is infectious. Wow. This song is a perfect tune to enjoy in a trotro on a hot day.  He’s singing in a tone I like. This record is personal and emotive, lyrically and musically. I love how he openly talks about himself, but I don’t think this song is meant to clear any misconceptions surround his lifestyle (Kubolor doesn’t really care about what you think, He’s a sole rebel). I might have a new favourite. “Just coz I’m brown, you frown at me like dirt” -- I love this sentiment. His sincere lyrics can pull at even a stoic’s heartstrings. Keeper. Let’s move on, and don’t forget to come barefooted – we’re entering into the Sole Rebel Bootcamp.

Conclusion: “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” is an inspiring and artistic masterpiece that has a definitive vision, and displays the full arsenal of Wanlov the Kubolor’s artistic range and knowledge. Dominating the album is the boisterous, shaming-the-corrupt vibe. Most of the tunes have a defiant anthemic feel, mostly targeting alleged corrupt religious and political figures in Ghana, whose regimes exploit the poor. The album’s soundscape is genre-hopping, lush, beautiful and haunting. There are lots of head bobbing songs on the album, and also a noticeable focus towards softer, melodic sounds. Song writing is King in Kubolor’s world, and it’s crystal clear on this album. If Ghanaians will listen, this album will play an important role in promoting social awareness and provide a soundtrack for resistance. Wanlov the Kubolor addresses issues both personal and political in order to provide a meaningful commentary on the times we’re living in. “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” addresses serious issues such as Police brutality, Political and religious corruption, racism, social injustices, homelessness,miseducation, environmental problems, homophobia, poverty and many more. The clever use of sound bites adds a further weight to the politically charged lyrics. The potent truths on this album are needed now more than ever. This album highlights the role that music plays within social movements. Kubolor blurs the line between music and activism. “RedCard: The Minstrel Cycle” is a few songs too many. The album’s saving grace is its stellar production, diverse musical palette, jaw-breaking lyricism, Kubolor’s personality and energy. “Red Card: The Minstrel Cycle” gives you 19 more reasons to remember the name, Wanlov the Kubolor. Wanlov the Kubolor is a Legend, period. This Album is definitely one of my favourite Ghanaian albums.