Nigerian hip-hop trailblazers Show Dem Camp have teamed up with The Cavemen, the duo celebrated for their contemporary highlife sound, as well as leading guitarist Nsikak David, for their collaborative album No Love In Lagos. The album releases via SHOW DEM RECORDS / AFRICORI.
No Love In Lagos is a testament to the powerful fusion of hip-hop and highlife, seamlessly blending Show Dem Camp‘s gritty, soulful rap with The Cavemen‘s intricate highlife rhythms. Nsikak David’s guitar work adds a layer of melodic brilliance, creating an album that is both nostalgic and fresh. Speaking on the project, Tec from Show Dem Camp shared, “I think collaboration is very important for the Afrobeats scene; finding people who you align with musically, or even those that you don’t align with, can move your music into a different space. I think for all types of afrobeats artists it’s very interesting to see what collaboration looks like.”
Featuring stellar guest appearances from Obongjayar, Tim Lyre, Moelogo, and Ruti. The album showcases the dynamic synergy between Show Dem Camp and The Cavemen, enriched by the production prowess of Spax and the guitar artistry of Nsikak David. This collaboration sets a new standard in Afro-fusionism, blending personal and energetic tracks with a compelling groove.
Released earlier this year, the title track “No Love in Lagos” and the third track, “Johni,” featuring guitarist Nsikak David, provide an inviting gateway into the album’s blend of genres. Showcasing the emotive rap of Show Dem Camp and the complex highlife sounds of The Cavemen, “No Love in Lagos” captures the essence of the album’s musical synthesis. It features production from Spax (Tems, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Oxlade) and guitarist Nsikak David (Tems, J Hus, Asa), setting a new benchmark in Afro-fusionism and solidifying their status as true music innovators.
Tec, Ghost, Kingsley, Benjamin, Nsikak David
Tracks like “Blessings” featuring Moelogo, “Buga” with Tim Lyre, and “One More For The Road” featuring Obongjayar bring infectious afrobeats rhythms, while “Train” featuring Ruti showcases her stunning, mellow vocals. Meanwhile, “Johni,” which highlights Nsikak David’s guitar work, offers a compelling glimpse into the fusion of styles present in the highly anticipated release.
Show Dem Camp have cultivated a unique lane for their Nigerian rap output, nurturing a culture around their music that encompasses much more than themselves. Their Palmwine Festival, which began in 2017 after the release of their groundbreaking debut Palmwine Music project, has become a cultural phenomenon. Gaining momentum with each Palmwine release, the projects have featured collaborations with some of the scene’s biggest names, including BOJ, Ajebutter22, Tay Iwar, Lojay, Tems, and Burna Boy.
Meanwhile, The Cavemen, through a cult following and electric live performances across Nigeria, have started a renaissance of highlife music, blending nostalgia with innovation. Their LP releases, Roots and Love And Highlife, have been met with critical acclaim and praise across the board, bringing a refreshing essence of experimentation to the genre.
The album’s release coincides with Show Dem Camp and The Cavemen’s summer performances. The Cavemen will electrify the UK festival scene at We Out Here on 15th August, while New York City will witness the Palm Wine Festival on 17th August at Central Park’s SummerStage.