Chisom – ‘Cultural Exchange’ [Album Review]

Detroit-born, DC-based multi-genre artist Chisom brings a refreshing air into the scene with his brand of hip-hop mixed with Afropop and Nigerian-American sensibilities. Born into a Nigerian family on the East Coast of America, Chisom soaked in the traditions and cultural influences from the motherland alongside the East Coast hip-hop elements. Combined this is what made him who he is today.

His latest project Cultural Exchange is an aptly titled piece that spans 11 tracks showcasing his cultural duality bridging the West and the rich Igbo culture from Nigeria. Here, he speaks to a wide catchment of listeners ranging from Black Americans to Africans in the diaspora and back home as well. The first track “That Side” features singer/songwriter Annie Daymar and helps set the tone with its introductory theme. Over a laidback guitar-driven afrobeats soundscape, Chisom delivers a smooth performance, convincing us of the goodness that can be found at that side. Next is  “At All” and “Exchange” featuring Justis Chanell who adds a sultry melodic vocal to the track. The former is a love tune that explores blossoming love while the latter is a detailed look at the black African woman who knows her self-worth and wears it like a crown.

The project follows a pattern that showcases Chisom’s distinct laidback flow and knack for painting pictures of his life. He runs through different scenarios that give listeners a glimpse into his life and overall international style. On “You Know It” he teams up with singer Churemi for a mid-tempo bass-driven jam about love, partnership and giving one’s all to that special someone. Chisom wears his heart on his sleeves on this one as he lets his woman know that he is willing to give her the world as long as she understands his grind. He switches the mood with “We Get It,” which has smooth jazzy horns with hypnotic pads and head-nodding groove and here Chisom flexes his stance as a man of many means and how he moves through life with purpose.  The ante is raised a tad higher on the club banger “The Water” with a pulsating groove, sublime pads and boastful lines like “Its all good but they not gonna listen/We don’t answer to nobody/no question/Real life cinematic, we in that/Don’t tell me what the rest get up into, that doesn’t capture my interest.”

In “Satisfaction (PSA),” Chisom sounds at home over a chilled lofi-experimental boom-bap soundscape and he gives an insightful take on life as it is while “Imagine” is a what-if situation where Chisom embodies the spirit of the go-getter who manifests his dreams into reality. These tracks stray from the afrobeats formula as Chisom opts for more modern hip-hop beats to deliver his message. Other notable tracks include the celebratory “Understand” and the aspirational “No Wait.” The final track “Far Out” brings the project to an energetic close. The production is club-ready and bouncy and as expected, Chisom steps in with his laidback flow and engaging storytelling that focuses on achieving goals and not settling for less.

Overall Cultural Exchange, celebrates Chisom’s life, musically, emotionally and culturally. He interweaves some Nigerian elements into the mix and the work ethic instilled in him by his Nigerian parents shows as he steps forth with confidence and determination. This is a solid project for sure and will appeal to a wide range of listeners who appreciate laidback, thoughtful raps with smooth melodies.