One day in the middle of 2018, Cheque got a random DM from Nigerian rap icon Phyno. The interest from Phyno came on the back of a series of Instagram rap videos he recorded in 2018, particularly a freestyle he kicked on a challenge launched by Reminisce. Although he didn’t hear back from Phyno for a couple of months, he would eventually meet Phyno in 2019 and be signed to Phyno’s label imprint, Penthauze.
It was under the label that he would release his debut EP, Razor, in 2020. The project spurred the smash-hit record, Zoom. The record, which was further elevated thanks to a remix that featured Afrobeats’ most prolific hitmaker, Davido, and American rap star Wale, was somewhat of an anomaly. In a landscape dominated by Afro-pop/Afrobeats, Cheque’s first smash hit was a sung-rap, cloud rap/trap, emo-based song. The success of Zoom was further evidence of the unpredictability of the Nigerian music soundscape and an indicator that the audience was becoming more receptive to styles and sounds different from what it was used to.
Under Penthauze, Cheque would enjoy remarkable success, scoring hits like History featuring Fireboy DML, Dangerous featuring Ayra Starr, and Back Outside with Phyno, as well as putting out accomplished projects like his debut album, Bravo, and 2024’s What Would You Do Without Me?
After six years with Penthauze, Cheque has parted ways with the label, launching his own imprint, Chequemate Records, with his latest project, Yazi, ushering a new era for one of Nigeria’s most versatile acts.
While Cheque is blessed with range and versatility, which he has consistently displayed throughout his career, the Sung-rap, Cloud Rap/Emo style that defines his best songs is where he feels the most comfortable. On this project, he leans heavily into his preferred style and soundscape, stomping and surfing across bouncy trap beats.
“Everything is booming, they say what’s up? I say I’m Gucci, never going back, I’m always moving, wetin dey for me would never leave” choir-like female backing vocals sing to open the project, creating an almost cinematic atmosphere before LC, who produced the record, shows his hand with a rattling melodic trap beat. Cheque delivers lyrical introspection on the record, discussing those who prey on his downfall while noting his mother’s prayer and his unwavering desire to keep moving forward, trumping the ill wishes of his enemies. On the more upbeat Up To The Sky, he surfs across bouncy trap production helmed by SB and Kezyklef as he celebrates the satisfaction of seeing hard work translate into real motion. It’s a well-deserved victory lap for the rapper.
The project then settles into a three-song stretch that explores romance that’s messy and demanding. On ‘I just want to know,’ bravado and vulnerability clash as Cheque demands assurance from his love interest with lines like ‘I just want to know / Baby let it show’ before reminding her of his self-worth and value with lines like ‘If you ever let me go, there’s no coming back’ on Zodiac. Goodbye is a song that signals the end of the relationship.
The mood quickly shifts from heavy to upbeat as Cheque finds solace in substances, alcohol, and endless partying on the swaggering trap cut Ocean Dry and the party-starting Amapiano-inflected cut Desperado, which closes out the project.
If anything, this project is an excellent reminder of Cheque’s convincing talent and ability to deploy simple songwriting and easy melodies to craft music that everyone can enjoy. Leaning into his preferred trap sound, he wins big. Even when he steps away from his preferred sound, albeit solely on the closing record, he delivers a record with immense commercial potential. Cheque knows how to make great music, and this project is just another lavish exhibition of that skill.
Listen to Yazi here:
