Jidenna - 85 to Africa – Classic Man takes it back to the source

The Guardian 60

The Wisconsin-born singer and rapper adds musical elements of his west African background, but the production lacks warmth
(Epic)

Pour out a little liquor for the Classic Man. It’s been a few years since Jidenna emerged with his pre-packed vision of vintage masculinity – all three-piece suits and tight haircuts. It wasn’t exactly revelatory but the gimmick did find its sweet spot, giving Jidenna the kind of cultural juice that Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z couldn’t previously achieve with their more high-end Suit & Tie, establishing the #JidennaHive and setting the Wisconsin-born singer apart from a crowded field of pop-minded singing rappers.

Cut to 2019 and his new album, 85 to Africa, etaches Jidenna from his Classic Man guise. His west African roots have occasionally been evident in his music – Jidenna partially grew up in Nigeria, where his father was born – but this album leans even harder on old Afrobeat and high life music, with a splash of Caribbean rhythms for good measure. The light guitar licks of Sufi Woman offer an ideal backdrop for Jidenna’s easy-breezy melodies. The sun-kissed Vaporiza, another highlight, benefits from some peppy brass work.