The Invasion (album)
| The Invasion | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 29 July 2011 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Square Records | |||
| Producer |
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| P-Square chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Invasion | ||||
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The Invasion is the fifth studio album by Nigerian musical duo P-Square. It was released on 29 July 2011 by Square Records. The album features guest appearances from Tiwa Savage, Naeto C, Waje, May D, Eva, and Muna.
Promotion
[edit]The duo promoted and celebrated the album by putting together a concert called "The Invasion Concert", which was held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel in Lagos on 30 July 2011. It featured additional performances from May D, Lynxxx, Eva Alordiah, Muna, 9ice, Ikechukwu, and Bovi.[2]
Singles
[edit]The album's two singles "Bunieya Enu" and "Forever" were released simultaneously on 13 May 2011. "Bunieya Enu" is a fast-tempo track in Igbo and "Forever" features an interpolation of "I Really Like It" by Harlem World.[3]
Composition
[edit]Musical style
[edit]The Invasion incorporates a variety of musical styles and themes that is composed of R&B, reggae, hip hop, Europop and contemporary highlife sounds. "Beautiful Onyinye", reminiscent of "No One Like You" off the Game Over (2007), and "Forever" are R&B records that cater to R&B lovers, while "Player" and "Jeje" cater to Europop lovers. "She's Hot" and "Me and My Brother" are reggae riddims that explore the depths of the reggae music genre. "Shake It Down Low" caters to hip hop lovers who are fans of lyrical content and mesmerizing beats.[4]
Lyrical themes
[edit]The album primarily focuses on love, wealth, success, and nightlife. In "Beautiful Onyinye", "Forever" and "She's Hot", P-Square expresses the love, affection and emotional outburst they share with their significant other. In "Chop My Money" and "Me and My Brother", the duo talked about their vast wealth and the blessings that have been bestowed upon them. "Shake It Down Low" and "Do as I Do" celebrate and explore the feelings and excitement of nightlife.[1]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 360 Nobs | 6.1/10[1] |
| Leadership | 9/10[5][dead link] |
The Invasion was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics felt the album was recycled and lacked originality. Others praised its lyrical content, sound, composure and depth. Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today described The Invasion as lacking innovation, stating, "You can’t teach an old dog a new trick." He criticized the album for relying on "the same old gimmicks" despite its Euro-pop beats and noted it felt "all over the place" with mixed results in experimentation. Tayo concluded that P-Square needed to evolve musically to avoid future irrelevance.[4] Wilfred Okiche of online Nigerian music magazine YNaija described it as falling short of expectations for Africa’s biggest pop duo, criticizing its lack of originality and growth. While tracks like "Beautiful Onyinye", "Chop My Money", and "Shake It Down Low" stood out, the album overall was deemed "not worthy of their current status," with many songs relying on their past formula. Okiche noted that P-Square's loyal fanbase would still embrace the record despite its shortcomings.[6] 360nobs reviewed the album as a safe yet entertaining album, noting that while the duo showed growth and "put together a P-Square album," it lacked originality and experimentation. Despite some standout tracks like "Chop My Money," "Jeje," and "Shake It Down Low," the album leaned heavily on their established sound, with the verdict being 6.1/10. The review concluded that P-Square "may not have pulled off an Invasion this time around," but they are close to achieving it.[1]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Headies | Album of the Year | Won |
| Best R&B/Pop Album |
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Beautiful Onyinye" | P-Square | 4:52 | |
| 2. | "Chop My Money (I Don't Care" (featuring May D) |
| Fliptyce | 4:32 |
| 3. | "Asamkpokoto" |
| P-Square | 4:30 |
| 4. | "Do as I Do" (featuring Tiwa Savage and May D) |
| P-Square | 4:06 |
| 5. | "Forever" |
| P-Square | 4:29 |
| 6. | "Me and My Brother" |
| Mecca E | 4:05 |
| 7. | "Jeje" (featuring Waje) |
| P-Square | 4:49 |
| 8. | "Bunieya Enu" |
| P-Square | 4:44 |
| 9. | "Ole Buruku" |
| P-Square | 4:03 |
| 10. | "Player" |
| P-Square | 4:58 |
| 11. | "She's Hot" (featuring Naeto C) |
| P-Square | 4:53 |
| 12. | "Fire" |
| Pappy J | 4:19 |
| 13. | "Anything" |
| Mecca E | 3:43 |
| 14. | "Shake It Down Low" (featuring Muna and Eva Alordiah) |
| P-Square | 3:37 |
Personnel
[edit]- Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye – vocals, production
- Tiwatope Savage – vocals
- Naetochukwu Chikwe – vocals
- Munachi Abii – vocals
- Eva Alordiah – vocals
- Akinmayokun Awodumila – vocals
- Jude "Engees" Okoye – video director
- Fliptyce – production
- Pappy J - production
- Mecca E - production
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | 29 July 2011 | CD, digital download | Square Records |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "P Square – The Invasion …Nigerian Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)". 360nobs. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Akintomide, Akinnagbe (31 July 2011). "FANS THRILLED AT P-SQUARE INVASION CONCERT(PHOTOS)". ModernGhana. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (13 May 2011). "NETPod: 'Bunie Ya Enu' and 'Forever' – P Square". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ a b Tayo, Ayomide (19 August 2011). "Psquare's 'The Invasion' [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Album Review: P-Square Back With A Bang". Leadership. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Okiche, Wilfred (26 August 2011). "Album Review: This Invasion is delayed!". YNaija. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
